The word is out from the horse’s mouth itself that Kevin De Bruyne may be part of the Manchester City squad against Sheffield United. Pep Guardiola has already given that strong indication as the champions face a hopeful Chris Wilder’s side at the Etihad as the Cityzens look to build on their resurgent midweek victory over Everton.
Addresing the media in his pre-game match conference, the City manager issued an update on his Belgian talisman’s progress, telling the media that the midfielder is being properly and well attended to in his return from hamstring surgery.
The Spaniard said when asked if De Bruyne was being held back: “Yeah, absolutely! How he’s training is with a lot of energy. For his mind, and I know injuries are not good for anyone, but I think these two or three months off has been good for him, the desire to come back, to play what he loves, playing football.”
Guardiola also said the final decision of when the midfielder returns is up to City’s medical staff, adding: “Yeah but I have to speak with him, and especially the doctors, the physios who say OK maybe he can play from half-time, maybe 10 minutes, maybe 20 minutes. Now we are in the process to get him to play and after have seven days to recover, it’s not three days and three days.”
And finally, when the City manager was asked if Kevin De Bruyne could be a part of the City squad against Sheffield United, he ws non-commital but said he had to wait until after training: “I don’t know yet. Let me go to the training session.”
If De Bruyne stll doesn’t make an appearance against Sheffield United, then it’s most likely that next weekend’s FA Cup tie against Huddersfield will see the return of City’s talismanic midfielder.