Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne has not been named in the latest Belgium squad, with the midfielder having reportedly picked up a groin injury.
De Bruyne returned to action for City in January after a four-month injury lay-off.
The 32-year-old had surgery on his hamstring, forcing him to miss the first half of the season. He came back with a bang though, and has already laid on 12 more assists since returning.
But just recently, there was a reminder that De Bruyne is a little fragile. He missed the league game with Brentford and then only got a cameo against Bournemouth the game after.
Now, De Bruyne is reported to have sustained a groin injury…
Kevin De Bruyne not in latest Belgium squad after sustaining groin injury
Belgium released their squad list, with the City maestro mysteriously absent from it
But Belgian journalist Kristof Terreur then provided some more information, and reported that De Bruyne has not been called up into the Belgium squad by Domenico Tedesco because he’s suffered an injury.
Thankfully, it is nothing to do with his hamstring, with Terreur saying it is ‘minor’ groin injury.
Terreur later quoted Domenico Tedesco as saying: “He’s been playing with a minor groin issue during the last games. Yesterday I spoke to the doctor and Kevin and we decided that the risk is too big. It’s better to give him time to recover well at City and then have him ready for the Euros.”
Obviously, City still have a game to play before the international break, with Newcastle United coming to the Etihad Stadium this weekend for an FA Cup quarter-final clash.
This development surely suggests that the £400,000-a-week De Bruyne will not be involved for City in that game.
Pep Guardiola will no doubt provide an update on his talisman at his press conference ahead of that game.
De Bruyne niggles are a concern
Since coming back from his big hamstring injury, De Bruyne has had a few little niggles – and the situation is definitely a bit of a concern.
Thankfully, this groin injury is only ‘minor’, but it still suggests that De Bruyne is fragile.
Keeping him fit between now and the end of the season is absolutely paramount, so any little niggles will mean that he won’t be risked.
As he is capable of providing moments of magic, to lose him for another extended period would be a seismic blow for City and seriously impact the club’s chances of silverware at the business end of the season.
