DE BRUYNE BLOW

Pep rules out City star with ‘fatigue’

MANCHESTER City were dealt another injury blow yesterday when Kevin De Bruyne’s muscle fatigue ruled him out of today’s clash with Arsenal.

The star midfielder recently bemoaned his heavy workload, revealing his ‘body is screaming out for a rest but nobody listens to the players’ as he left the Belgium camp after their 2-1 defeat by England.

City boss Pep Guardiola would not put a timeframe on the 29-year-old’s absence but it is a significant blow for his side, who have struggled to break down opponents this season.

‘Kevin has had no pre-season, had eight days’ holiday in the summer but has a family with a newborn and could not go and rest,’ said Guardiola.

‘ He’s played really good as always but the boy has a limit and he gets injured. I don’t think it is a big thing.’

De Bruyne looks likely to miss Wednesday’s Champions League opener with Porto, too, and next week’s trip to West Ham.

City’s season has been ravaged by injuries, while several firstteam regulars tested positive for coronavirus last month.

Guardiola can now call upon Sergio Aguero, however, with the striker having completed enough training to be in contention for a place on the bench. The striker has not played since City’s 3-0 win over Arsenal in June and suffered a setback in his recovery from a knee injury over the summer.

Gabriel Jesus remains sidelined with a muscle issue but Raheem Sterling should prove his fitness after pulling out of England duty with a hamstring complaint. ‘Last season was incredibly demanding,’ said Guardiola. ‘Hopefully, with the new ideas the Premier League has, they will point to quality and not quantity.’

Man City v Arsenal, 5.30pm kick-off, LIVE on Sky Sports from 5pm.