Guardiola reveals Man City star set for injury return

Kevin De Bruyne is closing in on a return for Manchester City after taking part in first-team training.

The central midfielder has been out for almost a month with a hamstring injury picked up during the 2-0 victory over Aston Villa.

De Bruyne has been training with Pep Guardiola’s squad, with the hope he can be included in a squad over the next week.

City travel to Everton on Wednesday looking to stretch their lead to 10 points, before a trip to Arsenal and a Champions League date with Borussia Monchengladbach.

‘Kevin is getting better, really he is getting better,’ Guardiola said. ‘He did all the training with the group today.’

Ilkay Gundogan has stepped up in De Bruyne’s absence but City will be without the German at Goodison Park.

Sergio Aguero, who was named on the bench at the weekend, is available but Guardiola will continue to manage the Argentine’s minutes.

‘Sergio has been injured for one year, so he cannot start from the beginning,’ the City boss added. ‘But he is ready to come back, he will be on the bench again. Soon we believe he can start to take minutes. Gundogan is much better but not available.

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‘I always have a headache to choose a best XI. Everyone is involved, the last two games Aymeric (Laporte) was brilliant, then John (Stones) and Ruben (Dias) were outstanding.

‘Everyone is doing well so hopefully we continue in this way. We need to be consistent in behind, play a good game and try to attack as much as possible.’