Manchester City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne has returned to first-team training ahead of Tuesday's FIFA Club World Cup semi-final clash against Urawa Red Diamonds in Saudi Arabia.
The 32-year-old has been sidelined since August 11 when he sustained a hamstring injury, which required surgery, on the opening weekend of the Premier League season against Burnley.
De Bruyne revealed last month that his recovery is "going very well" and suggested that he is targeting a return to first-team action in the New Year.
However, Citizens supporters received a welcome boost last week when the club confirmed that De Bruyne has been included in Pep Guardiola's 23-man travelling squad for the Club World Cup.
De Bruyne watched on as a spectator at the Etihad Stadium as Man City were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday, and Guardiola's side have since landed in Saudi Arabia ahead of Tuesday's meeting with Urawa.
Got chucked out of City training five seconds after arriving (poorly organised) but here's De Bruyne pic.twitter.com/innX517ODj
— Jack Gaughan (@Jack_Gaughan) December 18, 2023
Man City took part in an opening training session on Monday afternoon and the club have since released images on social media of De Bruyne in action alongside his teammates.
Meanwhile, Daily Mail journalist Jack Gaughan has posted a short video on 'X' of De Bruyne stood alongside Manuel Akanji and Jack Grealish during a training drill.
While De Bruyne return to the grass comes as a timely boost for Man City, it remains to be seen whether the Belgian will be involved in either of the club's two Club World Cup fixtures this week.
Guardiola has previously stated that the Club World Cup may come too soon for De Bruyne and he must not be rushed back into first-team action following a significant spell on the sidelines.
© Reuters
Man City will also assess the conditions of Erling Haaland and Jeremy Doku, who were two notable absentees from training on Monday.
Haaland has missed the last three matches with a "bone stress reaction" in his foot, while Doku has been absent from the last four games with a muscle problem.
Both players have been pictured arriving in Saudi Arabia with the first-team squad, but they are both considered as doubts for Tuesday's encounter with Urawa.
Man City are bidding to win the Club World Cup for the first time in their history and victory over Urawa will see them set up a final showdown with either Fluminense of Brazil or Egyptian giants Al Ahly.
Oliver Thomas
