Pep Guardiola says he won’t rush Kevin de Bruyne’s return to Man City despite the Belgian telling him he ‘feels good’ after his ‘tough’ hamstring set-back… as he admits there is no timeframe for John Stones’ injury either

• The player underwent surgery in a bid to deal with a persistent long-term injury 
• Guardiola also refused to put a timeframe on when John Stones might retun
• Why we should get excited about Cole Palmer – Listen here to It’s All Coming Up 

Manchester City are refusing to rush Kevin De Bruyne’s return despite the club’s talisman receiving good news this week.

The Belgian midfielder underwent another scan and is feeling stronger as he comes back from a recurring hamstring injury that required surgery.

Pep Guardiola refused to put a time frame on De Bryne re-joining his team mates in training as they hunt down a record fourth consecutive top-flight title.

‘I spoke with him two days ago and he said he feels really good but… recover,’ Guardiola said. ‘With these kind of injuries, it’s better not to put pressure.

‘When he feels good and the doctors are confident, we can take the next step. You don’t want to go too early and have to go back again. A tough injury, surgery, so step by step.’

Man City have been unable to rely on talismanic midfielder Kevin De Bruyne after he underwent hamstring surgery at the start of the season

Pep Guardiola is also facing the ‘big loss’ of John Stones after the player picked up an injury against Young Boys

De Bruyne is not yet running, with the initial prognosis being that he would return around New Year. As they gear up to face Chelsea on Sunday, City are also without John Stones, who limped out of the midweek win over Young Boys with a hip problem.

Stones had just recaptured his form after missing the majority of the season so far, with Guardiola claiming that City are ‘in trouble’ without the England international.

‘We will see when we come back from the international break, I don’t know,’ Guardiola added.

‘The doctor said to me it’s not as bad but I still don’t know. When he’s going to be fit again, he’s going to come back.

‘The partnership with Rodri worked so well in the defining moments of last season but this season we could not use it much. Now it’s time to reflect on what we have to do, to do better.’

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