KEVIN DE BRUYNE has been sent back to Manchester City after his injury scare at Wembley on Sunday.
The Belgium international looked in some discomfort when he was subbed late in the 2-1 defeat to England.
Kevin De Bruyne faces a race against time to be fit to face Arsenal on SaturdayCredit: Getty Images – Getty
He spent Monday with the rest of Roberto Martinez’s squad in London – and was even pictured out on his bike with team-mates.
However it was decided he would not be ready to play against Iceland tomorrow night – so will not board the flight to Reykjavik today.
Instead he will return to the Etihad where City will be keen to see if there are any major issues with a game against Arsenal looming on Saturday.
A tweet from the Belgium FA read: “Kevin De Bruyne has returned to his club. He couldn’t be fit enough to play against Iceland.”
It will be a worry for Pep Guardiola who has already seen the first few weeks of City’s season wrecked by illness and injuries.
Martinez insisted after the game at Wembley that there was no major concern for his midfielder – but did say he was not feeling quite right.
The former Everton boss said: “I would not say that Kevin is injured. He said he felt something.
“It is too early to know what he has, but he did not feel a hundred per cent. It was rather a precautionary change.”
The Manchester City star was subbed off late on in the defeat to England at WembleyCredit: AP:Associated Press
Ironically De Bruyne, 29, warned at the weekend that many players will get injured this season due to the heavy workload and lack of a proper summer break.
Guardiola is hoping to have at least one forward back to face Arsenal with Gabriel Jesus and Sergio Aguero making good progress in their recoveries.
Raheem Sterling pulled out of the international games due to a minor hamstring problem – which City do not believe is a major issue.
Pep Guardiola told by Richard Keys to bring in Sam Allardyce to sort out Man City defence after 1-1 draw vs Leeds
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
