Manchester City are set to be without Kevin De Bruyne for three months but the Belgium midfielder does not require surgery on a lateral knee ligament injury.
De Bruyne was named City’s Player of the Season as he starred in their record-breaking run to the Premier League title last term but his injury lands a significant early blow to Pep Guardiola’s bid for back-to-back titles in England’s top flight.
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The 27-year-old sustained the setback during a training session on Wednesday and, following a visit to specialist Dr Ramon Cugat in Barcelona on Thursday, City confirmed his diagnosis.
‘Manchester City can confirm Kevin De Bruyne has suffered a lateral collateral ligament (LCL) lesion in his right knee,’ a club statement read.
We can confirm @DeBruyneKev has suffered a lateral collateral ligament (LCL) lesion in his right knee.
No surgery is required, and the midfielder is expected to be out for around three months.
Get well soon, KDB! #mancity pic.twitter.com/hozcvnF8BX
— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 17, 2018
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‘No surgery is required and the midfielder is expected to be out for around three months.’
The timescale placed on De Bruyne’s recovery means he will miss City’s trip to Liverpool 7 October ― last season Jurgen Klopp’s side were the only team to beat City away from home in the Premier League and are widely tipped to mount a title challenge this time around.
A scheduled trip to Tottenham later in the month would also appear to come too soon, while the 11 November derby at the Etihad Stadium against Manchester United represents a possible target for a high-profile return.
