De Bruyne has not been able to play since the first day of the Premier League season due to a hamstring injury.
It has been confirmed by Pep Guardiola that he anticipates Kevin De Bruyne to play again in January.
Since the first game of the season, when he hobbled off against Burnley in the first half, the Manchester City star has been sidelined due to a hamstring injury.
Guardiola’s team is just one point behind Arsenal at the top of the Premier League, and City has made a great start to the season even without him. They have already guaranteed a spot in the Champions League last-16 with time to spare.
Over the weekend, De Bruyne was asked about his progress in recovering from his injury while he was present at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
“Getting along is going well,” stated De Bruyne. “Still got a little way to go, but we’ll be there.”
Inquiring about his potential return to the field, he continued, “Hopefully something close after the New Year, if everything goes well.”
Guardiola reiterated that timeline prior to his team’s Tuesday night Champions League game against RB Leipzig at home. The City manager expressed excitement about De Bruyne’s potential return.
Guardiola remarked, “If he said January, it will be January.”
“I would have loved to have him all season but now he has tough injury and surgery and he said end of December or New Year, so it will be a happy New Year for everyone.”
De Bruyne will therefore miss the hectic holiday season with his teammates and will not play for City when they compete in the Club World Cup next month.
Guardiola brushed off the notion that De Bruyne might gain from his time off the field, giving him a chance to recover both physically and mentally, and cautioned against anticipating the 32-year-old to start playing right away.
“I don’t think so, I think he prefers to be with us.”Guardiola remarked.
“He’s not 21 anymore, football. Time flies; regrettably, he is hurt and needs to heal and get ready properly. We don’t expect him to be flawless after a week. Gradually, having him from the start, the bench, a reliable weapon at all times.”