Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne is on course to return to full training next week in a significant boost for Pep Guardiola’s side, Metro.co.uk understands.
The Belgian was forced off in a 2-0 win against Fulham in the Carabao Cup a fortnight ago after injuring his knee ligaments and City’s initial diagnosis ruled De Bruyne out of action for six weeks.
De Bruyne has already missed more than two months of the season after injuring his other knee in August and Pep Guardiola admitted it was a sizeable blow to lose the 27-year-old.
However, after making a strong start to his recovery, City are now expecting De Bruyne to return to full training early next week.
The midfielder’s return will put him on course to feature against West Ham at the Olympic Stadium after the international break and Guardiola is likely to hand him a place on the bench.
Should De Bruyne feature, it means he will have missed just three matches and will return for a crucial clash away at Chelsea in early December.
City command a two-point lead at the top of the Premier League yet De Bruyne has featured just once in their 12 games so far.
The Belgian finished as runner up to Mohamed Salah in the PFA Player of the Year awards last season after inspiring City to a record-breaking campaign.
