Manchester City dealing with Kevin De Bruyne uncertainty following Rodri blow

Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola has been unable to confirm whether Kevin De Bruyne will be available for the trip to Newcastle United on Saturday afternoon.

The Citizens will travel to St James’ Park as leaders of the Premier League title race after a five-game unbeaten run at the start of this season.

Man City dropped their first points of the campaign on Sunday afternoon, when Arsenal managed to escape the Etihad with a share of the points.

Netting his 100th goal for the club, Erling Haaland had the hosts ahead before efforts from Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel fired the Gunners into an unexpected lead.

Down to 10 men in the second period, Arsenal desperately attempted to hold on for maximum points but substitute John Stones popped up with a last-gasp equaliser.

© Imago

Man City sweating over De Bruyne availability

As per the Manchester Evening News, Man City boss Guardiola has not confirmed whether De Bruyne will be available for the match in the North-East on the weekend.

The 33-year-old suffered an apparent groin injury during his side’s Champions League opener with Italian giants Inter Milan last Wednesday.

As a result, De Bruyne did not even make the matchday squad for the visit of title challengers Arsenal on the weekend, representing a massive blow for the Citizens.

The Belgium international is a certainty not to feature on Tuesday night, when Man City welcome Championship side Watford to the Etihad for a third-round EFL Cup tie.

© Imago

Man City facing a midfield crisis?

De Bruyne is not the only Man City midfielder to face injury issues at the start of the campaign, with the champions dealt a major fitness blow following the draw against Arsenal.

It has been reported that enforcer Rodri will miss the remainder of the 2024-25 season due to anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained versus the Gunners.

Due to the absence of the Euro 2024-winning Spaniard, Man City have a serious hole to fill at the base of their world-class midfield over the coming months.

With De Bruyne potentially on the sidelines for a period of time also, the Citizens’ domestic and continental goals could be severely impacted.

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