Pep Guardiola admits he ‘had to find a solution’ for his midfield with Rodri out for the season through injury – after Man City were held to a draw at Newcastle

Pep Guardiola lamented the loss of Rodri in the first Premier League game since the midfielder’s season-ending injury as Manchester City dropped points at Newcastle.

The City boss confirmed on Friday that an ACL injury suffered in last weekend’s 2-2 draw with title rivals Arsenal would rob them of their star midfielder for the remainder of the campaign.

And the champions were below par without Rodri and Kevin de Bruyne as they failed to build on a first-half lead at St James’ Park, Anthony Gordon’s second-half penalty securing a deserved point for the hosts.

‘Guys, I’m going to tell you – I know you’re going ask me all the time – of course you’re going to miss Rodri – his physicality, his presence, I know,’ said Guardiola.

‘But he’s not there, so I’m judging (Mateo) Kovacic and Rico (Lewis) and Bernardo (Silva). How we have played, it was exceptional. So it’s simple, I had to find a solution. I would love Rodri to be here and Oscar Bobb to be here and Kevin to be here and (Nathan) Ake to be here, I would love it. But it is what it is.’

The Spaniard will miss the rest of the season after suffering a ligament injury against Arsenal

The champions have now dropped points in back-to-back Premier League games for the first time since March

Of the game, Guardiola added: ‘They had moments in first 10 minutes and after their goal, but in general we played really good. We made bad decisions at the last minute to make it 2-0. It is always difficult here with their physicality and they defend so deep. We had chances but (Nick) Pope was brilliant, so we take the point.’

Guardiola was also full of praise for opposite number Eddie Howe, who he embraced on full-time.

‘I said to him how I admire him and the way he approaches the game with high pressing,’ said the City boss. ‘His team is so direct and has a lot of legs with Murphy, Gordon, Barnes. It’s such a difficult team.’