A new report has offered an update on Kevin De Bruyne’s fitness, ahead of Manchester City’s Premier League match against Arsenal on Sunday afternoon.
Pep Guardiola has received a string of negative updates on his first-team squad during the recent international break, with a number of his defensive players, in particular, suffering fitness issues while on service with their respective countries.
Kyle Walker and John Stones were forced into early substitutions against Brazil and Belgium, respectively, while representing England in recent days, and the latter is yet to receive a diagnosis for an ailment believed to be related to his adductor.
Meanwhile, Manuel Akanji was withdrawn early from the Switzerland squad owing to a knock, while Portuguese midfielder Matheus Nunes suffered a similar problem, and both players will be evaluated when they return to the City Football Academy.
But, in some much-needed good news, a new development involving Kevin De Bruyne will give Manchester City fans plenty to cheer about ahead of their crucial return to domestic play this weekend.
According to ESPN’s Rob Dawson, Manchester City are ‘optimistic’ that midfielder Kevin De Bruyne will be fit for Sunday afternoon’s Premier League match against Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium.
It is also stated that there is ‘increasing hope’ that Kevin De Bruyne would be available for selection against Arsenal after completing a training session with the club’s Under-23 team on Tuesday.
Despite missing more than half of the season while recovering from hamstring surgery, Kevin De Bruyne has emerged as probably Pep Guardiola’s standout performer since the turn of the year.
In 14 appearances in all competitions, the 32-year-old Belgian has two goals and 13 assists, four of which came in one game as part of Manchester City’s 2-6 FA Cup fifth round victory over Luton.
City face a difficult run of fixtures in late March and early April, and if they are to maintain their aspirations of winning back-to-back Trebles, Kevin De Bruyne’s ability to produce and maintain top-level health will be critical.
