Pep Guardiola has given the strongest indication yet that Kevin De Bruyne may be part of the Manchester City squad against Sheffield United. The champions face Chris Wilder’s side at the Etihad as they look to build on their impressive midweek win over Everton.
Speaking with the media in his traditional pre-game press conference the City manager had an update on De Bruyne’s progress. He told the media that the midfielder is being managed in his return from hamstring surgery. Guardiola 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. He added: “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, the City manager was asked if Kevin De Bruyne could be a part of the City squad against Sheffield United. He wouldn’t commit to answering saying he had to wait until after training. He said: “I don’t know yet. Let me go to the training session.”
If De Bruyne doesn’t return against Sheffield United it does feel that next weekend’s FA Cup tie against Huddersfield will see the return of the inspirational midfielder.
