Kevin De Bruyne’s continuing illness concerns admitted by Pep Guardiola ahead of Bristol City clash

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has suggested that Kevin De Bruyne is continuing to suffer from illness ahead of the FA Cup fifth round tie this week.

The Belgian international missed out entirely during Manchester City’s UEFA Champions League last-16 first-leg tie against RB Leipzig last week, but did make a return against AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League on the weekend.

De Bruyne – who was ruled out from the trip to Germany due to illness – returned to the substitutes bench on the south coast, but played no role in the match against the Cherries with City cruising to a 1-4 victory in his absence.

Ahead of another trip south this week, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has provided a complete update on the fitness of his squad, including the latest on the recovery of Kevin De Bruyne from that bout of illness.

On the subject of central defensive duo John Stones and Aymeric Laporte, the City boss has stated that the pair will be assessed during training on Monday afternoon, with the England international returning from a muscular problem and the latter also suffering from illness.

As for Kevin De Bruyne, the City vice-captain is getting “much better” but is still suffering from the tail-end of his recent illness problems, according to the Catalan coach during his pre-match press conference on Monday.

City will be hoping to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals with a win at Ashton Gate on Tuesday night, as they continue to fight on three fronts this season, engulfed in an intense Premier League title battle with Arsenal and their Champions League second-leg still to come against RB Leipzig.

Manchester City’s Championship opponents on Tuesday night come into the tie having not lost a single game across competitions since Boxing Day – a 0-2 home defeat to West Brom at Ashton Gate.

The fine form shown by the Robins was continued ahead of their showdown with Manchester City this week, as they moved past Hull City at home courtesy of a second-half penalty from Nakhi Wells to record a 1-0 victory.