Kevin De Bruyne is expected to be fit for Sunday’s vital Premier League matchup between Manchester City and Arsenal.
Due to a groin injury, De Bruyne was unable to play in the FA Cup quarter final match against Newcastle United. During the international break, he was also unable to participate in Belgium’s friendlies against the Republic of Ireland and England.
However, there is increasing optimism that the midfield, who completed a training session with the Under-23s on Tuesday, will be available for selection against Arsenal. This week, Jack Grealish has also been training at the City Football Academy. Grealish is still recovering from a muscle issue, hence he was not included in the England group.
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De Bruyne will be monitored by medical personnel going forward, but when first-team practice starts back up on Thursday, he should be able to participate.
In order to make final preparations for Arsenal’s visit to the Etihad, the majority of City’s international players must return to the team by Friday at the latest.
Manager Pep Guardiola is relieved that De Bruyne would be available as he is worried about Kyle Walker and John Stones’ health.
While Stones was replaced early in Tuesday’s 2-2 draw with Belgium due to an adductor issue, Walker was taken off during England’s 1-0 loss to Brazil on Saturday due to a hamstring ailment.
Walker still has a short window of opportunity to demonstrate his fitness before taking on Mikel Arteta’s rivals for the title, even though his injury is not believed to be serious.
ESPN has learned through sources that City is dissatisfied with the timing of their FA Cup quarterfinal matchup with Chelsea.
At first, City thought the match would take place on Sunday, April 21st, four days following their Champions League quarterfinal second leg at the Etihad Stadium against Real Madrid.
But now that the match will now take place at Wembley on Saturday, 24 hours sooner than originally scheduled, Guardiola and his team will only have three days to recover from their match against the Spanish powerhouses.
