Kevin De Bruyne issues fresh update on Manchester City return date | OneFootball

Manchester City have received a fresh update from star midfielder Kevin De Bruyne on his expected return date following rehabilitation from hamstring surgery.

The Premier League champions have been forced to adapt to the 32-year-old’s long-term absence during the first-half of the ongoing season, with Pep Guardiola offering a number of alternatives to fill into the Belgian’s attacking midfield role.

Phil Foden, Julian Alvarez, and Bernardo Silva have all operated in-behind Erling Haaland so far this season to varying degrees of success, but no onlooker can deny that the Manchester City side could have been stronger with Kevin De Bruyne among the line-ups.

In a fresh boost to all those concerned with City however, De Bruyne himself has handed the club an encouraging update on his recovery from hamstring surgery undertaken during the summer months, with a return date right around the corner.

Speaking in comments relayed by The Guardian this week, the Manchester City attacking midfielder has revealed that his return from surgery is ‘going really well’, while he expects to return to the field for Pep Guardiola’s side ‘closer to the new year’.

Kevin De Bruyne explained, “It’s going really well. I had surgery – it was a big injury. But we’re getting closer – closer to the new year (his original return date). I am doing really well and hoping to be back on the pitch soon.”

He continued, “I am certain I will be fine once I am back on the pitch. I hope to just keep on playing good football and that is good enough.”

Kevin De Bruyne is likely to re-join the Manchester City squad this weekend but merely as a spectator for their upcoming FIFA Club World Cup campaign in Saudi Arabia, as the club gear up for a semi-final clash with Japanese side Urawa Red Diamonds.

Victory in Jeddah next Tuesday evening would ensure Manchester City’s place in a showpiece final, as Pep Guardiola’s side look to crown themselves World Champions for the very first time in the club’s illustrious history.

De Bruyne could be joined by Erling Haaland on the sidelines in the middle-east, with the Norwegian international continuing to be a doubt for Pep Guardiola’s side having suffered from a stress in his foot over the past few matches.