Man City XI vs Wolves: Kevin De Bruyne injury latest, confirmed team news and predicted lineup | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola hoping for a major double fitness boost ahead of Molineux trip

De Bruyne has been sidelined since picking up a groin injury during City’s goalless Champions League draw with Inter Milan last month, while Ake has been out with a hamstring problem.

De Bruyne sat out Belgium’s recent Nations League fixtures against Italy and France, but could be fit for City’s game at Molineux.

At the end of last month, manager Pep Guardiola said: “Hopefully, after the international break, he will be back.”

Returns? Kevin De Bruyne and Nathan Ake could both play for Manchester City against Wolves

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De Bruyne, 33, has also asked not be considered for Belgium’s games against Italy and Israel next month as he tries to manage his workload ahead of the Club World Cup next summer.

Ake hasn’t played for City since the end of August after suffering a hamstring injury on international duty with the Netherlands.

But the 29-year-old is closing in on a return too, with Guardiola saying: “Yeah, I expect him back after the international break.

“I would say without injury, but Nathan is not like Phil Foden, for example, that [clicks fingers] are into training sessions and fit.

“He needs time. The info I had yesterday is that he has started training on the pitch and we will see.”

Midfielder Rodri has been ruled out for the rest of the season after undergoing knee surgery, while Oscar Bobb isn’t expected back until December after suffering a leg fracture.

Mateo Kovacic has helped City fill the Rodri void in recent weeks, with the Croatian even scoring two goals in their 3-2 win over Fulham last time out.

Guardiola has admitted that Ilkay Gundogan needs time to recapture his best form since rejoining City from Barcelona, but has faith in the 33-year-old.

Foden has been used sparingly so far this season after helping England reach the final of Euro 2024, but he scored his first goal in the 4-0 win over Slovan Bratislava and made his first Premier League start against Fulham.

Jack Grealish missed England’s 2-1 defeat to Greece through injury but returned with a goal in their 3-1 win over Finland.

Erling Haaland - who has 11 goals in 10 games so far this term for City - played the duration of Norway’s games against Slovenia and Austria.

Predicted Manchester City XI (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Lewis, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol; Kovacic, Gundogan; Silva, Foden, Grealish; Haaland

Sunday 2pm BST, Sky Sports

Doubts: De Bruyne (groin), Ake (hamstring)

Injured: Rodri (knee), Bobb (leg)