Could Kevin De Bruyne return to the Manchester City starting lineup tonight against Newcastle? The midfielder made his long-awaited return from injury last weekend against Huddersfield Town in the FA Cup at the Etihad Stadium. With another week of training under his belt the game at St.James Park may be the ideal opportunity for the City legend to return to City’s starting eleven.
Pep Guardiola told the media during his pre-game press conference that the star midfielder is ready to start games. The City boss said De Bruyne was improving at training each week. He said: “Kevin De Bruyne is ready to start and I can see he is very good and the trip to Abu Dhabi will do him good too. I saw him yesterday and he feels good and dynamic. He played well, better than the sessions before Huddersfield. He’s getting better.”
City’s inspirational midfielder made a spectacular return during the second half of his side’s 5-nil win over Huddersfield Town last weekend. He provided an assist for Jeremy Doku to score City’s 5th of the game. But more importantly, he showed no ill effects of the hamstring injury that had kept him out since the beginning of the season. It appeared that De Buyne was determined to make up for lost time as he returned in time for the second half of the season.
Attention will now shift to Pep Guardiola’s starting lineup which will be announced an hour before kick-off. It will be something to watch for if Kevin De Bruyne does make his return to the starting lineup. If he does he may start with in-form midfielder Phil Foden which could City fans their first glimpse of the pair starting in midfield.
