WHAT HAPPENED? The Belgian international has been sidelined with a hamstring injury since mid August, restricting him to just two appearances this season. The 32-year-old has been short of luck in 2023 as the midfielder was forced off early in this year’s Champions League final, as City completed the treble last season. Now, the City star has likened himself to a car that needs a major servicing, and believes his current injury is down to teams being forced to play so many games each season.

WHAT THEY SAID: De Bruyne told HBVL: “I have never experienced this before, I have never had such a serious injury. A hamstring operation is not very common either. After the match against Burnley, we took scans, referred to several surgeons and they all said I needed surgery.

“We are now three months in and I am doing very well, everything is on track. I underwent my surgery with Geert Declercq. City are in daily contact with him and Lieven. But they have not given me a deadline for when I will be able to play football again.