City sweat on playmaker’s knee injury
Manchester City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne, 27, could face a spell on the sidelines after injuring his right knee in training, the Premier League champions said.
The Belgian, who had a superb World Cup as Belgium reached the semi-finals, is undergoing tests.
"Kevin de Bruyne is undergoing tests on his right knee after sustaining an injury at training on Wednesday," read a club statement on its website.
"The extent of the problem is not yet known and we will bring you further updates on Kevin's condition in due course."
According to www.metro.co.uk, de Bruyne faces around two months out after suffering the injury when he caught his studs in the turf before leaving the training ground on crutches.
The Daily Telegraph said he had suffered knee ligament damage similar to the injury he suffered in a league game with Everton in January 2016 and which kept him out of the team for two months.
De Bruyne, who has been at City since 2015, gave a series of dynamic performances for the champions last season.
Due to being given three weeks off following the World Cup, he did not play a role in the Community Shield win against Chelsea.
But he came on for a cameo of 30 minutes in the 2-0 opening Premier League victory over Arsenal last Sunday.
His teammate Kyle Walker said City have the depth in squad to cope with the potential long-term absence.
"Kevin is a great player and it's just unfortunate that it's happened to him in training but there's more than enough depth in the squad," Walker told reporters.
"We don't just rely on one player. It's a team game and whoever steps in will do well.
"Obviously, it's a big loss but we've got more than enough cover."
Midfielder Ilkay Guendogan said of de Bruyne: "He played an incredible season.
"He is very important. We all hope that it is not too serious so he can get back on the training field as soon as possible." - AFP, REUTERS
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