Pep Guardiola raised the possibility that Rodri could return to Manchester City before the end of the season.
The Spanish midfielder, who hasn't played since September after undergoing knee surgery, has started individual training at the City Football Academy.
Guardiola has said that he does not expect Rodri to be available until next season. But, after City released a video of the 28-year-old running and kicking a ball outside, he hinted at an earlier comeback.
"The fans must know they are not the only ones who are excited," Guardiola said. "It's been five months or six months. After the international break, could be. But one step at a time. We don't have to make stupid decisions to come from weeks earlier. It's good, but still he's not close to coming back I'd say.
"But he's touching the ball today in the locker room, making touches with the players. He feels confident, he feels more happy. I could not expect [that he could return] before the end of the season, not even the [Club] World Cup. In the Premier League, maybe it's going to happen."
Meanwhile, Guardiola is waiting for news on Nathan Aké after he was substituted at halftime of the 3-1 win over Plymouth Argyle on Saturday.
City have a free week ahead of their trip to Nottingham Forest on Saturday, and Guardiola expects to be without the Dutchman.
"We'll do the test but he [Ake] struggles sometimes with the feet, probably, it's been like this the whole season, the central defenders," he said.
"Hopefully, the young ones [Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis], they don't have a lot of stuff in their life, can sustain it and help us."
