Kevin De Bruyne injury adds to Man City misery after Pep Guardiola update

Manchester City take on Newcastle at St James’ Park on Saturday afternoon but the reigning Premier League champions could be without a host of stars for the trip to the North East

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola admits he is none the wiser as to when Kevin De Bruyne could be back in action.

The Belgian playmaker came off in his side’s Champions League opener against Inter Milan with a thigh issue. Guardiola initially dismissed the injury as minor but De Bruyne has not been seen since and missed last weekend's draw with Arsenal, as well as Tuesday’s Carabao Cup success against Watford.

Ahead of this weekend’s trip to Newcastle, the City boss offered an update but is still not sure when the midfielder will be back in action. Speaking in his pre-match press conference, he said: "I don't know [when he will be back]. Maybe before the international break or after the international break. We will see."

De Bruyne’s absence is just the latest issue that City are currently dealing with. Spanish midfielder Rodri has been ruled out for the season after picking up a serious knee injury against Arsenal.

Oscar Bobb and Nathan Ake are also both sidelined for the foreseeable future. And Guardiola has bemoaned his side’s growing injury list.

He added on Rodri: “There was not one day in the last years I was not confident. Of course we are stronger with him but we are stronger with Nathan Ake, Oscar Bobb, Kevin.

"We don’t want it but in football it happens. It’s a pity because it’s a long injury - eight, nine months - but after [that] it’s not like in one month you’re going to be ready. After that comes the muscular injuries so you have to be careful.

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"When you have an ACL injury for nine months the year after you have muscular problems for sure. So that’s why it’s longer [than nine months]. I think Rodri will be at his best not just after nine months but it is what it is. We have magnificent players and will find a solution and see what happens."

After their trip to Newcastle, City face their second Champions League game of the campaign with an away game against Slovan Bratislava. Their next assignment then sees them travel to Fulham ahead of the second international break of the campaign.

While City are dealing with their own injury issues, the same could certainly be said of their upcoming opponents. Sven Botman, Callum Wilson and Jamaal Lascelles all remain on the sidelines, while Matt Targett is also ruled out. Alexander Isak is also still a doubt after picking up a toe injury.

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