MX23RW : Thursday, May 20 18:22:21| >> :60:3567:3567:

Man City's Kevin De Bruyne could return for final Premier League games

Man City's Kevin De Bruyne could return for final Premier League games
© Reuters
The playmaker has returned to training.

Kevin De Bruyne could return for Manchester City's final two Premier League games of the season with less than two weeks to go to the Champions League final.

De Bruyne has missed City's last two games with a muscle injury, giving City a scare ahead of the meeting with Chelsea in Porto on May 29.

But Guardiola said the 29-year-old has returned to training ahead of Tuesday's trip to Brighton.

"Kevin has trained in the last two days and is feeling good," the City manager said.

"Everyone knows Kevin is important but we will see his level over the next few days and when he is ready to play."

De Bruyne's return to training means that Sergio Aguero is the only known absentee for Tuesday's match.

With the Premier League title wrapped up, City's attentions are already drifting towards Portugal but Guardiola wants no let-up in results, insisting the best way to prepare for the final is to put in strong performances against Brighton and then Everton at the Etihad on Sunday.

"The mood is really good," he said. "They've been training really well. Everyone is focused.

Chelsea v Manchester City – FA Cup – Semi Final – Wembley Stadium
Kevin De Bruyne has missed City's last two games with a muscle injury (Ben Stansall/PA)

"We've never been here before in the Champions League final. You don't have to say anything. People know they have to maintain their rhythm to play the final in the best condition as possible.

"The best way to prepare is to play well, to play good, it's the only way we know."

While City could afford to take their foot off the pedal in the remaining league games, Chelsea remain locked in a tight battle for Champions League places, and go into a rematch against FA Cup winners Leicester on Tuesday night before travelling to Aston Villa at the weekend.

Asked if the need for results gave Thomas Tuchel's side better preparation for the final, Guardiola said he was not interested in what Chelsea were doing.

"We have six days to prepare for the final after the Everton game, then we will go into details, but now we prepare for Brighton," he said.

"For sure we are not preparing for the Champions League final if we don't prepare for Brighton and Everton.

"We did not speak for one second about Chelsea. Tomorrow we play a game to win and that's the best way to arrive to the final."

Guardiola's team-sheet on Friday night could have created the impression of a team happy to ease off – with third-choice goalkeeper Scott Carson making his City debut at the age of 35 while there was a rare appearance for Eric Garcia in a side sporting five changes.

Guardiola admitted the squad approached that game "more relaxed" after Manchester United's home loss to Leicester last Tuesday night ended the title race, but insisted their focus had now returned.

"We spoke, had a day off," he said of their title celebrations. "I told them to forget the football and enjoy your time with your family as a champion.

"We spoke in training that we have a routine, be focused. They're training really good.

"In the game against Newcastle the people were more relaxed but I saw them today so focused. We'll play the next one and prepare for the final. I have no doubts the people are incredibly committed to win the three games we still have."

ID:447904: cacheID:447904:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:13887:

VOTE IN THE END-OF-SEASON SPORTS MOLE AWARDS!

Have your say in the annual end-of-season Sports Mole Reader Awards! Click here to vote for your Premier League Player of the Season, Goal of the Season, Signing of the Season and much more!
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Did you know...?

rhs 2.0
Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CManchester CityMan City37265678324683
2Manchester UnitedMan Utd372011671432871
3Chelsea371910857342367
4Liverpool37199966422466
5Leicester CityLeicester372061166462066
6West Ham UnitedWest Ham371881159471262
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs371781264432159
8Everton37178124743459
9Arsenal371771353391458
10Leeds UnitedLeeds37175155953656
11Aston Villa37157155345852
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves37129163550-1545
13Crystal Palace37128174164-2344
14Southampton37127184765-1843
15Newcastle UnitedNewcastle37119174462-1842
16Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton37914144044-441
17Burnley37109183354-2139
RFulham37513192751-2428
RWest Bromwich AlbionWest Brom37511213473-3926
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd3762291963-4420

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!