Kevin de Bruyne injury latest and timescale for Man City return

Kevin De Bruyne could be back in a Manchester City shirt in a matter of weeks as the Blues captain continues to progress following a hamstring injury.

The Belgium international has not featured since the opening-day win at Burnley when he was forced off with a recurrence of the problem which also prematurely ended his night in the Champions League final win over Inter Milan in June. The 32-year-old underwent surgery earlier this year and is set for a winter return to action.

His inclusion in City's squad for the Club World Cup sparked hope that he could return to action in that competition but it is understood he will travel in his role as club captain and won't feature in either game.

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City head to the Gulf state after their Premier League game against Crystal Palace on December 16 and will play their semi-final in Jeddah on December 19 against Mexico's Club Leon or Urawa Red Diamonds of Japan. There will then be a third-fourth place play-off or a final on December 22.

City return to domestic action at Everton on December 27 before hosting Sheffield United on December 30. There is perhaps an outside chance De Bruyne features in one of those games but player and manager have spoken about January being a realistic return date.

Asked at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix when he hopes to be back, De Bruyne said: "Hopefully something close after the New Year, if everything goes well."

Guardiola issued a similar update a couple of weeks ago. "If he said January, it will be January," the City chief said. "I would have loved to have him all season but now he has tough injury and surgery and he said end of December