Kevin De Bruyne has returned to Manchester City training in a welcomed boost ahead of a huge week for the club.
The playmaker appears to be nearing his return to action having been sidelined since suffering a knee ligament injury in a training session back in August.
It remains to be seen whether Tuesday’s Champions League group stage clash with Hoffenheim will come too soon for him, with City seeking three much-needed points after their shock defeat at home to Lyon.
Pep Guardiola’s men have fared well without the Belgian in the league and boast an unbeaten record as joint-leaders with Liverpool.
Besides Hoffenheim, De Bruyne will also likely have one eye on Sunday’s top-of-the-table showdown with Liverpool at Anfield.
The player himself took to social media to confirm his return.
Back in training! 💪🏼 pic.twitter.com/ABeELZU7MA
— Kevin De Bruyne (@KevinDeBruyne) October 1, 2018
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City are meanwhile monitoring the fitness of Sergio Aguero after Guardiola confirmed the striker was suffering from a foot injury.
The 30-year-old scored City’s second in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Brighton, before being immediately replaced by Gabriel Jesus as a precautionary measure.
Left-back Benjamin Mendy and the versatile Fabian Delph will also both miss Tuesday’s game and appear early doubts to face Liverpool.
This could mean either young Oleksandr Zinchenko or Brazilian Danilo occupying a spot on the left side of defence in what would emerge as an intriguing avenue to exploit for Jurgen Klopp’s front three.