Pep Guardiola confirms welcome Kevin De Bruyne fitness boost ahead of Leeds United clash

Manchester City have been handed a major injury boost ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash with Leeds United, after Kevin De Bruyne returned to first-team training.

The Belgian international missed wins over Fulham and West Ham due to an injury picked up against Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium last month.

De Bruyne was replaced midway through the second half against the Gunners, despite scoring two goals during the emphatic 4-1 thumping over City’s Premier League title rivals.

The midfielder has started 37 matches for Manchester City so far this season with a huge Champions League semi-final first-leg clash against Real Madrid on the horizon.

Prior to Tuesday’s European tie, City face Leeds United in the Premier League, looking to move four points clear at the top of the table with a victory.

De Bruyne was pictured in first-team training on Thursday, and when speaking ahead of Saturday’s match, Pep Guardiola confirmed that the 31 year-old could be in contention to face Leeds this weekend.

“He trained yesterday. He trained good. Today we are going to train and decide after training,” said the City manager.

“Losing just one week or 10 days is not a problem, it’s the same thing that happened with Nathan (Ake). If he’s fit, he will play.”

Nathan Ake returned from a hamstring injury in midweek, starting and scoring against West Ham on Wednesday evening.

City beat the Hammers 3-0 to return to the top of the Premier League table, with Erling Haaland and Phil Foden also on the scoresheet.

Haaland’s goal on Wednesday night was the 22 year-olds 35th league goal, as the Norway international surpassed Alan Shearer and Andy Cole’s record for the most Premier League goals in a single campaign.