Man City title blow as De Bruyne RULED OUT with groin injury

Manchester City superstar Kevin De Bruyne has been left out of the latest Belgium squad, which his manager attributes to a groin injury, in what could prove to be a big blow to City’s hopes of retaining their treble.

Belgian boss Domenico Tedesco on Thursday named his squad for the upcoming international friendlies against Ireland and England and the 32-year-old playmaker was not part of it.

De Bruyne hasn’t played for the Red Devils since March of last year and has suffered a severely injury-ravaged campaign for City.

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He went off during last season’s Champions League final with a hamstring problem and was hit with a relapse during the first game of the season against Burnley.

De Bruyne endures hamstring surgery

The decision was taken to undergo surgery and the former Wolfsburg star subsequently missed four months of action for Pep Guardiola’s team.

“Basically, I’m a 32-year-old footballer who has been playing 15 years, made almost 700 appearances, had a couple of hamstring injuries and the surgeon told me my hamstring was like a wet paper towel,” he revealed in the Return of the King documentary.

The 99-cap midfielder has been eased back into action in recent weeks but missed a game against February in February, which Guardiola put down to a “niggle” in his hamstring.

"He has niggles in his hamstring area and I didn't want to take any risk with him,” Pep said. “He's OK, it was more about prevention. He said he didn't feel comfortable and the doctors said not to take a risk."

It’s unknown whether his latest injury blow is connected with his longer-term hamstring issues but De Bruyne was substituted at the weekend while the Premier League showdown with Liveprool was in the balance.

De Bruyne playing with groin injury in recent City matches

Tedesco said the groin issue is something De Bruyne had been feeling across City’s recent games and must be taken into consideration when it comes to picking a squad for the European Championship this summer.

His absence from the Belgium squad could well allow him significant time to recover before City’s next league game against Arsenal on March 31.

“I don't know if there is a connection with his hamstring injury. It is now a problem with the groin that he has been struggling with in recent matches,” Tedesco said.

“Yesterday I spoke to the doctor and Kevin and we decided that the risk is too great. It is our responsibility to take into account the player, but also the player's team. It must make sense to call up a player.

“If he cannot play or train, it is our responsibility to protect him. It's better to give him time to recover well at City and then have him ready for the European Championship. We can't take any risks now, especially not with Kevin.”

De Bruyne’s future in doubt

City have been linked with signing Jamal Musiala of Bayern Munich as a replacement for De Bruyne at the end of the season but the Belgian is determined to stay and fight for his place in the team.

He has rejected the opportunity to move for the riches on offer in the Saudi Pro League this summer and has a City contract until 2025, which the club can extend to 2026.

However, with this latest injury blow, his long-term fitness is under even more scrutiny. He has been restricted to only 14 matches this season, adding 13 assists along the way.