Rodri and three of Manchester City’s January transfer window signings have been included in the club’s squad for the Champions League knockout phase.
The Spaniard is a long-term absentee after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury in the 2-2 draw with Arsenal in September.
Champions League clubs had until Thursday at 11pm to select their squads for the next round of the competition and Rodri, 28, has been named despite his injury.
Three January signings – Abdukodir Khusanov, Omar Marmoush and Nico Gonzalez – have all been added to the squad ahead of City’s knockout round play-off first leg at home to Real Madrid on Tuesday.
There is no place in the updated squad for 19-year-old Brazilian Vitor Reis, who joined during the transfer window from Palmeiras for £29.4million.
He was included in the last two Man City squads for the Premier League games against Chelsea and Arsenal but was not brought on.
Rodri has been named in the Manchester City squad for the Champions League knockouts
The Spaniard has been out since suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury in September
Vitor Reis – brought for £29.4million from Palmeiras – has not been included in the squad
Reis was regarded as one of South America’s most talented prospects and was set to join the Citizens in January, considering the side’s issues in the defensive line.
The youngster – who signed a four-and-a-half-year deal – was linked to Brighton and several European clubs ahead of his move.
City’s competition for the centre back spot remains fierce as they also signed Khusanov from RC Lens in a deal worth £33million.
Last month, the reigning Premier League champions hinted that Rodri could return to action during this campaign.
In an interview with COPE, the 28-year-old said: ‘Now the seasons are getting longer and the [FIFA Club] World Cup ends on July 13, I have in mind to return this year, as a challenge.
‘I’ve already started walking and I’m feeling better than I thought… Gavi used to say: “I need to play football”. At my age you see it differently, you have time to rest and recover well…’
Until then, another January signing and La Masia academy product Nico Gonzalez is set to replace the Spaniard in the defensive midfielder position.
Many fans and pundits believe that his absence significantly impacted City’s poor campaign to date.
The Spaniard previously hinted that he could return to action during this campaign despite suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury
Without Rodri, Man City dropped to fifth place in the Premier League table while qualifying to the knockout phase of the Champions League in 22nd place, securing it in their last game against Club Brugge.
They will face Real Madrid, who have been dealt with another injury blow after it was confirmed that Antonio Rudiger will be out for approximately 20 days.
Real are already without David Alaba, Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao.
Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti will likely have to rely on a pairing of 21-year-old Raul Asencio and Aurelien Tchouameni to keep City’s attacking line at bay.
