Man City's Kevin De Bruyne set for early return from injury

Posted Tuesday, November 13, 2018 by 101 GREAT GOALS

As per a report from the Guardian this evening, Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne will not spend as long on the sidelines with his current knee injury as had initially been feared.

Man City 2-0 Fulham

Pep Guardiola's Citizens welcomed Fulham to the Etihad for a Carabao Cup Last-32 tie at the beginning of the month.

In the end, a brace from City youngster Brahim Diaz proved the difference between the sides, in a comfortable night's work for the hosts.

Brahim Diaz celebrates with teammates after scoring during the Carabao Cup Fourth Round match between Manchester City and Fulham

De Bruyne crocked

However, while the performance and result were both of a hugely-positive nature for City, there was a worrying cloud cast over the Sky Blues' night towards full-time of the clash.

A challenge between Kevin De Bruyne and Timothy Fosu-Mensah in the 83rd-minute saw the latter fall awkwardly on the knee of the Belgian, with De Bruyne having immediately winced in pain on the Etihad turf.

As such, the Sky Blues' standout was eventually forced to limp off.

And, following a nail-biting 24 hours for all associated with the Premier League champions, an official announcement on the severity of De Bruyne's injury was finally forthcoming on Friday the 2nd of November, with City having confirmed:

'Kevin De Bruyne suffered knee ligament damage in his left knee during Thursday night's Carabao Cup fourth-round win over Fulham.'

'The Belgian underwent scans on Friday at the CFA.'

'No surgery is needed but he is expected to be out for between 5-6 weeks.'

'Progressing smoothly'

As such, De Bruyne was expected to make a return to the pitch around the middle of December.

But, according to the Guardian, the Belgian's return to action looks set to come sooner than previously predicted.

This is due to De Bruyne's rehabilitation 'progressing smoothly'.

As such, the former Chelsea man, who spent two months on the treatment table earlier this season with a separate knee problem, could feature versus Watford on the 4th of December.

Crucially, this would also see De Bruyne passed fit to face Chelsea 4 days later.