Kevin De Bruyne reveals Manchester City return date during Abu Dhabi Gran Prix visit

Manchester City midfielder and Belgium international captain has revealed his much-anticipated return date following months of recovery from a hamstring problem.

The 32-year-old City star has been ruled out of action for Pep Guardiola’s side since appearing in the opening game of the ongoing Premier League season against Burnley, sustaining a hamstring problem early on in the game.

The injury appeared to be a reoccurrence of an issue that also forced an early withdrawal from the UEFA Champions League final in Istanbul last season, and medical professionals advised the Belgian star to undergo surgery in order to prevent further reoccurrences.

After undergoing a successful operation in August, Kevin De Bruyne was then ruled out for the foreseeable during the 2023/24 season, with an early diagnosis suggesting that he would not be back in action for Manchester City until the new year.

Now, speaking to Sky Sports while in attendance at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday afternoon, the Manchester City midfielder revealed that should everything continue moving in the right direction, then he hopes to be back in action after the turn of the year.

Kevin De Bruyne admitted, “If everything goes well, hopefully (I’ll be back in action for Manchester City) not long after the New Year.”

Manchester City have been performing to their usual high standards, and ensuring that they continue to compete across the majority of their priority competitions this season, despite the continued absence of Kevin De Bruyne.

City are currently second in the Premier League table, while they have also booked their place in the UEFA Champions League last-16, with top spot in their group still up for grabs with contests against RB Leipzig and Crvena zvezda remaining.

Manchester City travel to Saudi Arabia later on in December to make their first-ever appearance at the FIFA Club World Cup, before the Emirates FA Cup returns for the Treble winners in January.