Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola says Kevin de Bruyne is nearing a playing return.
De Bruyne has been missing since the first game of the season due to a serious hamstring injury.
How he is training is with a lot of energy," said Guardiola. I know injuries are not good for everyone but for his mind this two or three months off has been good for him.
The desire to come back, to play what he loves. It's playing football. But now we have to handle the [comeback].
A long injury with surgery and muscular, we have to be careful. Because it looks like you are perfect but you are not. How many minutes you have to handle. Step-by-step. Not to play 90 after three days and 90 after three days. After that we would be in trouble."
He added, I speak with him and especially the doctors and physio to see if he can play [from] half-time, maybe 10 minutes, maybe 20 minutes.
Now we are no problem because of the process we play in. Seven days to recover not three days and three days. Not as much. If the people need him we will try to use him."