Kevin De Bruyne’s injury is “more complicated”, admits Pep Guardiola in fresh Manchester City blow | OneFootball

The injury sustained by Kevin De Bruyne at the end of September is “more complicated” than first expected, Pep Guardiola has admitted this week.

The Belgian midfielder has not featured in any capacity for Manchester City on matchday duties since departing the field of play at the half-time interval of the eventual 0-0 draw with Inter on matchday one of the UEFA Champions League.

While the initial feeling was that the problem was not too serious and that De Bruyne could make a return in good time, the 33-year-old will have missed nine Manchester City matches by the time the Carabao Cup fourth round tie against Tottenham comes and goes.

De Bruyne has also excluded himself from the final two Belgium international camps of the calendar year, with his manager Domenico Tedesco insisting that it was a decision made by the player with a view towards taking care of his body to the maximum.

Manchester City have had Kevin De Bruyne in first-team training for the last few weeks, although there is no indication that he has signalled an intention to return to matchday action any time soon.

Quizzed on whether there is now a firm return date on De Bruyne’s return to Manchester City action, Pep Guardiola said, “I don’t think so. I would like to tell you, especially I would like to know it. But I don’t know. I don’t know right now.”

He continued, “He feels better and can train, but going to the level that we need for competition, when he kicks the ball or something he still has pain and he doesn’t feel… And Kevin has to feel good, you know, to express his huge talent that he has.”

The Manchester City manager confirmed that the injury is “more complicated” than first anticipated and that both he and first-team coaching staff expected him to return quicker. “That’s why I’m not a doctor,” the Catalan said.

“He’s feeling better but not the best. It’s for sure that if these guys don’t come back as quick as possible, we will struggle. Because we cannot sustain with just 14, 15 players for the season.

“We need the players to come back. But it is what it is. So hopefully it can happen after the international break.”

De Bruyne is part of an extended injury list that is hampering Pep Guardiola’s selection options at present, amid long-term injuries to Rodri and Oscar Bobb – both of whom will not return until 2025.

Kyle Walker is also sidelined through a knee injury, while Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku have picked up problems in recent weeks, leaving the latter ruled out until after the upcoming November international break.