Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne has taken part in full training for the first time after four months sidelined with a hamstring injury.
The Belgian international has not been seen in action since the opening day of the season when he pulled up in the first half of the 3-0 win over Burnley.
Supporters on X are understandably delighted to see De Bruyne back out on the training pitch and they are keenly anticipating his return to first-team action in the coming days and weeks:
Come save the team😔
— gvardiolszn (@__Andrew18) December 18, 2023
🥰 lord we missed this man 😍😍
— mc (@deyi_Mcebisi) December 18, 2023
Best news
— Frisky 👅 (@iansuzir) December 18, 2023
His highness King 👑 KDB
— De_Thor (@GiftThor) December 18, 2023
The king is back
— ACE (@buikeCR7) December 18, 2023
KDB is back 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
— King Josh👑 (@KingJoshy31) December 18, 2023
12 wins in a row incoming
— Nkrumah junior (@_Kobbison) December 19, 2023
De Bruyne could not be returning at a better time for City
After a rather indifferent first half of the season, having their main playmaker back into the team should be a massive boost for the reigning Premier League champions.
Like in previous campaigns, fans will be hoping that City can put a run of wins together after the New Year.
When could De Bruyne make his return to the matchday squad?
The 32-year-old did not feature in the Club World Cup semi-final tie against Urawa Reds last night, and it’s probably unlikely that he will play in the final either.
De Bruyne could potentially get some minutes off the bench on Friday but his comeback is more likely to come when Pep Guardiola’s side play Everton at Goodison Park right after Christmas.
It will be hoped that he will be ready to start matches at the end of the month or the start of January. After Everton, City have league fixtures versus Sheffield United and Newcastle United prior to the winter break.
