PEP GUARDIOLA will give Kevin de Bruyne every chance to prove he is ready for Sunday’s Manchester derby.
The Belgian missed the FA Cup victory over Sheffield Wednesday after damaging a ligament in his shoulder at Wembley last weekend.
De Bruyne may not feature against either United or ArsenalCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The City boss will wait to see if he can train on Saturday before making a decision over the trip to Old Trafford 24 hours later.
Guardiola said: “He’s getting better, on Saturday he will improve. He feels better, it’s not perfect – so we’ll see.”
Sources close to de Bruyne believe City may not risk him at Old Trafford and may even leave him out of Wednesday’s clash with Arsenal.
Guardiola is desperate to have him ready for the return match against Real Madrid on March 17 – and the FA Cup tie at Newcastle the following weekend.
Pep said that winger Leroy Sane is still not ready to start – and may need more appearances in the Under-23s before he plays for the first-team.
Asked if the German could feature at Old Trafford, he said: “No chance. I don’t know when.
“Like I said he’s making a big process but still not 100 per cent fit and he has to be ready and fit to play official games.
“Maybe more U23s, more games would be good.
“We must feel it, but first himself in the way he moves. Every week he’s getting better and will try to give him minutes but not for this game.”
Sunday’s game kicks off at 4.30pm and City will be without centre-back Aymeric Laporte at Old Trafford.
However Ederson is likely to return after Claudio Bravo was trusted with the goalkeeper’s jersey for the last two games, both in cup competition.
Man City boss Pep Guardiola won’t rush Leroy Sane back to first-team action despite making return for Under-23s
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
