PREMIER LEAGUE
Pep Guardiola drops Kevin de Bruyne injury update
The Belgian has barely featured for Manchester City this season but could return to action in Saturday’s trip to Newcastle United.
Kevin de Bruyne could make his long-awaited return to Premier League action on Saturday, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has revealed.
The midfielder has not appeared in the competition since suffered a hamstring issue against Burnley back in August. In a press conference on Friday Guardiola confirmed that the Belgian is back in contention to play and in a position to start.
“He’s getting better, we have a game and then a few days off, he will train a little bit,” Guardiola said, adding that he “feels really good” about De Bruyne’s recovery.
Manchester City:
“After, we will go altogether for four or five training sessions in Abu Dhabi and that will help him to be better for the next games.”
After the Newcastle trip Manchester City have a 13-day break before their next fixture, an FA Cup tie against Tottenham Hotspur on 26 January.
Will Kevin de Bruyne play against Newcastle United?
De Bruyne made his return last weekend in City´s 5-0 FA Cup victory over Huddlesfield Town. He entered the fray as a second half substitute and provided an assist for Jérémy Doku.
After the game Guardiola said he was “incredibly delighted” to have De Bruyne back ahead of a “difficult game” at Newcastle. With a two-week break after the trip to St. James Park, Guardiola will almost certainly give De Bruyne some Premier League minutes for the first time since the opening day.
Whether the Belgian starts the game or begins as an option off the bench is unclear, but City’s title rivals will be extremely weary with De Bruyne back in the team.