Guardiola: ''Rodri will be rested if necessary''

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says he will rest Rodri following the midfielder's comments regarding needing a break.

The 27-year-old Spain international has clocked up 41 club games already this season and after City's 3-3 draw with Real Madrid in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, he indicated that he needed a rest.

Guardiola's side host Premier League strugglers Luton in the top flight on Saturday.

"If a player doesn't want to play then he's not going to play, simple," said the Manchester City manager.

Incredibly, the midweek draw with Real means that Rodri has not lost a game playing for City in all competitions for 429 days and 66 games. 

The playmaker has actually missed four domestic games due to suspension - and City have lost all four.

"Take a look at our games and then you realise. He's so important for the quality that he gives," added Guardiola.  

"I have the feeling that the games when he was tired like against Crystal Palace and Madrid, he was better in the second half. He runs more and was more precise in the second half than the first.

"More than the physicality, it is a case of spending mental energy. Playing every three days, three days. Of course he's tired, playing a lot of minutes."