“Maybe…” – Pep Guardiola reveals possible return date for Kevin De Bruyne

Kevin De Bruyne could return to Manchester City action prior to the upcoming winter break in the Premier League, says his manager Pep Guardiola.

The Premier League will pause it’s hectic schedule so far this season in the coming weeks for an agreed winter break, allowing for some teams to leave the country on warm weather training camps ahead of the second-half of the campaign.

For Manchester City, that is likely to mean the club departs their City Football Academy training hub for Abu Dhabi following their away trip to face Newcastle United in the Premier League in the next fortnight.

However, many City fans have been hoping that before Pep Guardiola’s side’s jaunt to the Middle-East, they will get one glimpse of Kevin De Bruyne in action for the club following his recovery from hamstring surgery.

De Bruyne returned to full first-team Manchester City training during their FIFA Club World Cup duties in Jeddah, whilst he made a return to their matchday squad during the weekend’s 2-0 win over Sheffield United at the Etihad Stadium.

Speaking on the return of Kevin De Bruyne to Manchester City’s matchday squad in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon, manager Pep Guardiola was keen to highlight his delight at the strides made by the Belgian in his recovery process over the last few months.

“Really good – we’ve been waiting a long time for him,” Guardiola glowed. “He’s turning good the last week or so.

“He came for the trophies today (at the Etihad Stadium against Sheffield United) for the picture and to be here and realise when to warm up and how the people support him and look forward to seeing him again.”

Guardiola continued, “Maybe (for) Newcastle he will be ready.”

Prior to the clash against Eddie Howe’s side, Manchester City will embark on their defence of their FA Cup crown, as Huddersfield Town of the Championship make the short trip to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

City claimed England’s most traditional cup competition for just the second time under Pep Guardiola in their penultimate game of last season, defeating Manchester United en route to a historic Treble success.