Kevin De Bruyne is a DOUBT for Norwich clash as Pep Guardiola reveals the Belgian ‘still has a problem’ with ankle injury he picked-up against Portugal at Euro 2020
- Manchester City face newly promoted Norwich City on Saturday at the Etihad
- Kevin De Bruyne has been recovering from an injury sustained at Euro 2020
- The Belgian came on as a substitute against Spurs but missed training on Friday
- His manager Pep Guardiola is concerned he could be without him on Saturday
Pep Guardiola is fretting over the fitness of Kevin De Bruyne after the Manchester City maestro missed training on Friday ahead of their clash with Norwich.
The Belgian’s Euro 2020 campaign limped to a heartbreaking end after he came off injured against Portugal in the last-16, before battling through 90 minutes of Roberto Martinez’s side’s quarter-final defeat to Italy.
De Bruyne came on with 11 minutes to play as the champions were shocked by Spurs on the opening day, but he was forced to miss Friday’s training session.
Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne could miss their clash against Norwich on Saturday
Pep Guardiola admitted the midfielder is still struggling with an injury picked-up at Euro 2020
De Bruyne has cemented his status as City’s most talented player above the club’s stacked pool of world class ability, and Guardiola will be desperate to have him regularly involved this season.
‘No, he could not train today. A little disturbing so we will see tomorrow,’ the Spaniard said in his pre-match presser.
‘Kevin has a problem still with his ankle so tomorrow we will see how he feels.’
There is more bad news for Guardiola, with Phil Foden still unavailable as he recovers from a foot injury, but Ilkay Gundogan did partake in Friday’s practice after going down with a shoulder injury last weekend.
De Bruyne got onto the pitch for a short cameo as Man City were beaten 1-0 by Tottenham
The Belgian limped-off in the last-16 match against Portugal before playing in the quarters
City may have lifted the Premier League and Carabao Cup this season but in the moments that mattered most luck let De Bruyne down.
Alongside the playmaker’s Euro 2020 knock, in the Champions League final he walked off the field sobbing.
The 30-year-old was clattered by Chelsea’s Antonio Rudiger and suffered a fractured nose and eye socket, and had to watch as the Blues held on to their 1-0 half-time lead.
The Champions League is a top priority for the former Premier League player of the year alongside international success with Belgium, and he’ll be aiming for both again this season in Qatar and Russia.