Manchester City handed pre-Everton fitness boost as star resumes first-team training

Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City have been handed a potential major fitness boost ahead of Wednesday’s Premier League trip to Goodison Park.

Manchester City return to Premier League action on Wednesday evening, travelling to Merseyside to face Everton, following FIFA Club World Cup success in Saudi Arabia on Friday.

Guardiola’s side were crowned World Champions last week, as a 4-0 win over Fluminense saw Manchester City win their fifth trophy of the year, courtesy of goals from Julian Alvarez and Phil Foden at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.

Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku and Kevin De Bruyne were all unavailable for the Blues’ Club World Cup campaign in the Middle East, despite travelling with the squad for the tournament.

De Bruyne hasn’t featured for Manchester City since the opening day of the campaign at Turf Moor, after the Belgian suffered a ruptured hamstring and was forced to undergo surgery for the serious injury.

The 32-year-old returned to first-team training in Saudi Arabia last week, with De Bruyne also pictured resuming training at the City Football Academy on Sunday 24th December.

Manchester City face Everton ahead of hosting Sheffield United at the Etihad Stadium, with the Sky Blues looking to end a dismal run of Premier League form, having won just one of their past six matches.

Crystal Palace came back from 2-0 down to secure a late point prior to the Club World Cup, as Manchester City dropped points for a seventh time this season.

De Bruyne’s first-team training return will be a welcome boost to Guardiola, although it remains to be seen whether the midfielder will be able to feature against either the Toffees or the Blades.

Manchester City’s FA Cup clash against Huddersfield could provide the perfect opportunity for De Bruyne to return, with just three matches scheduled for the month of January.