Man City pair have differing opinions on De Bruyne injury

Matt Stead

Kyle Walker is confident Manchester City will be able to cope with the loss of Kevin De Bruyne to injury.

City announced on Wednesday afternoon that midfielder De Bruyne was undergoing tests on his right knee after suffering an injury in training earlier that day.

While the Premier League champions said the extent of the problem was not yet known and that they would provide further updates on De Bruyne’s condition in due course, there have been reports the 27-year-old could be sidelined for at least two months.

De Bruyne arrived on crutches on Wednesday evening at the premiere in Manchester of Amazon’s ‘All or Nothing’ documentary about the club.

Speaking at the premiere, City and England right-back Walker said: “Kevin is a great player and it’s just unfortunate that it’s happened to him in training but there’s more than enough depth in the squad.

“We don’t just rely on one player. It’s a team game and whoever steps in will do well. Obviously it’s a big loss but we’ve got more than enough cover.”

City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan said of De Bruyne: “He played an incredible season.

“He had so much impact on our game. He was maybe the main man for us last season.

“He is very important. We all hope that it is not too serious so he can get back on the training field as soon as possible.”

De Bruyne, having starred in last season’s title success, only returned to full training last week after a delayed summer break following the World Cup.

The Belgium international featured as a second-half substitute in the league campaign-opening win over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium last Sunday.

If out for two months, De Bruyne would miss the start of City’s Champions League campaign and a potentially important Premier League clash at Liverpool on October 7.

City are next in action against Huddersfield at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

De Bruyne missed two months of the 2015-16 season – his first at City – after suffering knee ligament damage in a game against Everton.