Manchester City suffer fresh Kevin De Bruyne injury blow as Pep Guardiola confirms extended lay-off | OneFootball

Kevin De Bruyne will remain sidelined for Manchester City for several more weeks, Pep Guardiola has confirmed.

The Belgian midfielder sustained a groin problem during the 0-0 draw against Inter Milan on matchday one of the UEFA Champions League’s brand new league phase back in September, and has not featured in any of City’s matchday squads since.

Over the course of the October international break and the weeks that have followed since to date, De Bruyne has returned to first-team training alongside his Manchester City teammates, but remains short of full fitness and as such is staying clear of match action.

Concerns over his recovery process have also carried on over into the Belgium national team, with head coach Domenico Tedesco confirming earlier in October that De Bruyne had also withdrawn himself from their November camp in addition to October.

And it now seems as though there will be no appearance from the 33-year-old in a Manchester City shirt until after that camp is over, with Pep Guardiola issuing a fresh update on the midfielder this week.

Speaking during his post-match assessment after the Carabao Cup fourth round exit to Tottenham, Guardiola confirmed to reporters that three names in particular will not be available for selection until at least after the November international break.

On the subject of Kyle Walker and Kevin De Bruyne in particular and whether either player may return in the immediate two weeks, Guardiola responded, “No. I think after the international break.”

“Three of them; even Jack Grealish as well,” Guardiola revealed, which adds to the likes of Oscar Bobb and Rodri with longer-term problems, as well as Jeremy Doku – who has already been ruled out until late November.

Jeremy Doku is believed to have sustained an injury problem during the 1-2 win over Wolves in the Premier League, whilst Grealish sustained a problem during the training session that immediately followed the Wolverhampton visit.

City have also emerged from their meeting with Tottenham on Wednesday night with three further injury concerns, as Manuel Akanji withdrew from the starting line-up with a muscular issue, and Savinho was stretchered off with a second-half ankle injury.

Josko Gvardiol was spotted receiving treatment after the full-time whistle, but Guardiola was unable to give an update on the Croatian during his post-match media conference.