De Bruyne closing in on his Manchester City return, Guardiola reveals

‘He is getting better’: Pep Guardiola reveals Kevin De Bruyne is closing in on his Manchester City return after taking part in first-team training – with star having missed almost a month due to a hamstring injury

  • Kevin De Bruyne injured his hamstring in last month’s 2-0 win against Aston Villa 
  • The Manchester City playmaker has now made his return to first-team training 
  • Pep Guardiola has confirmed De Bruyne ‘is getting better’ during his recovery 
  • De Bruyne hopes he can be included in a match day squad over the next week 

Kevin De Bruyne is closing in on a return for Manchester City after taking part in first-team training.

The central midfielder has been out for almost a month with a hamstring injury picked up during the 2-0 victory over Aston Villa.

De Bruyne has been training with Pep Guardiola’s squad, with the hope he can be included in a squad over the next week.

Kevin De Bruyne is close to a Manchester City return after taking part in first-team training

City travel to Everton on Wednesday looking to stretch their lead to 10 points, before a trip to Arsenal and a Champions League date with Borussia Monchengladbach.

‘Kevin is getting better, really he is getting better,’ Guardiola said. ‘He did all the training with the group today.’

Ilkay Gundogan has stepped up in De Bruyne’s absence but City will be without the German at Goodison Park.

Sergio Aguero, who was named on the bench at the weekend, is available but Guardiola will continue to manage the Argentine’s minutes.

De Bruyne has missed almost a month after injuring his hamstring in the win against Aston Villa

‘Sergio has been injured for one year, so he cannot start from the beginning,’ the City boss added. ‘But he is ready to come back, he will be on the bench again. Soon we believe he can start to take minutes. Gundogan is much better but not available.

‘I always have a headache to choose a best XI. Everyone is involved, the last two games Aymeric (Laporte) was brilliant, then John (Stones) and Ruben (Dias) were outstanding.

‘Everyone is doing well so hopefully we continue in this way. We need to be consistent in behind, play a good game and try to attack as much as possible.’

Pep Guardiola insisted he would also manage Sergio Aguero’s minutes after his own comeback

Guardiola also praised Jurgen Klopp after Liverpool’s dip in form. 

‘What he (Klopp) has done is exceptional,’ the Catalan said. ‘I said many times now and previously in Germany, he makes football attractive for all spectators, wants to give joy to fans, attacking football and no doubts about it.

‘We have good and bad moments, no manager can sustain season after season, winning and winning, it would be boring. I’m speaking personally, not about any colleague, but sometimes you have to lose to realise. Sometimes it’s good to lose – you realise how difficult it is. When you come back you get more credit and value for what you’ve done.’




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