Pep Guardiola reveals major Kevin De Bruyne recovery update in Manchester City injury boost | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has provided a fresh update on the recovery of Kevin De Bruyne.

The 32-year-old was included in Manchester City’s FIFA Club World Cup squad earlier this week, with the club travelling to Saudi Arabia later this month to compete in the global tournament for the first time.

De Bruyne hasn’t featured for Pep Guardiola’s side since the opening day of the Premier League season, where the Belgium international suffered a serious hamstring injury during the first-half against Burnley at Turf Moor.

The midfielder underwent surgery for the recurring problem, after the same injury forced De Bruyne to be replaced during the UEFA Champions League Final victory over Inter Milan in Istanbul.

The absence of De Bruyne has hugely impacted Manchester City, who could find themselves nine points off of Premier League leaders Arsenal come Sunday’s trip to Luton Town.

The treble-winners are winless in the league since early November and have failed to win any of their past four matches, compounded by a dismal defeat to Aston Villa on Wednesday evening.

Manchester City will look to return to winning ways at Kenilworth Road this weekend, with Sunday’s clash against the newly-promoted side being their penultimate Premier League fixture before the Club World Cup.

De Bruyne looks unlikely to feature for the Sky Blues before the new year, however Guardiola provided a major update on the 32-year-olds recovery.

“[De Bruyne] started to run on the pitch but hasn’t trained once with us. Maybe [the FIFA Club World Cup] will be a little bit early, but I don’t know.

“Kevin [De Bruyne] will be back when he is, we don’t rush him and when he’s back we will welcome him with open arms.”

De Bruyne made 49 appearances for Manchester City last season, and will be targeting a return during the second-half of the campaign and eying featuring at this summer’s European Championship in Germany.