Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has revealed key man Kevin De Bruyne faces a “few months out” with a hamstring injury which could yet require surgery.
The 32-year-old midfielder was withdrawn midway through the first half of City's 3-0 win over Burnley last Friday. After the game, Guardiola stated the injury was a repeat of the hamstring tear the Belgian had sustained in their 2-1 Champions League final win over Inter Milan.
De Bruyne had been something of a surprise inclusion in the starting line-up at Burnley given he hadn't played a minute in pre-season as he went through the final stages of his recovery.
He'd managed a substitute's appearance at Wembley in the Community Shield loss to Arsenal but then lasted just 23 minutes at Turf Moor. “It’s a serious injury,” the City boss said. “We have to decide surgery or not surgery but a few months out.” The decision on surgery will be taken in the coming days and could see him miss “three or four months”, Guardiola added.