Pep Guardiola confirms Kevin De Bruyne fitness status for Manchester City’s visit to Newcastle

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has revealed a fresh injury doubt for his side ahead of their clash against Newcastle United in the Premier League on Saturday.

City will be travelling to St James’ Park hoping to further maintain their unbeaten start to the new season across all competitions, and extend their run in the Premier League alone to six matches.

Arsenal became the first team to take points off the reigning Premier League champions, with Manchester City held to a 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium courtesy of a 98th minute equaliser from John Stones.

However, Pep Guardiola could be forced to further reshuffle his pack for the clash against Newcastle United, with Kevin De Bruyne remaining an uncertain member of the squad roster through an injury concern.

Speaking during a press conference ahead of Manchester City’s Carabao Cup third round tie against Watford on Tuesday night, Guardiola provided a fresh update on the fitness and injury problem sustained by De Bruyne against Inter last week.

“I don’t think it will be long,” Guardiola responded when discussing how long De Bruyne would be ruled out for. “But he was not able to (feature) today (against Arsenal), I will not say Watford, I don’t know for Newcastle. But I think it will not be long.”

Continuing on what the exact problem is being recovered from by the 33-year-old, Guardiola said, “Some discomfort in the, I don’t know, what is the name? (Groin?) No, not groin! You are not a doctor! Some problems here (points to groin). Forget about it!”

Kevin De Bruyne joined the likes of Nathan Ake and Oscar Bobb on the treatment table at the Etihad Stadium, with the latter duo expected to be ruled out until at least late October, and late November in the case of the Norwegian forward.

Elsewhere and Rodri could become a new name to add to the injury list, having limped out of the weekend’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal having sustained a knee problem in the first-half against the Gunners.