KNEESY DOES IT!

DE BRUYNE SET TO MISS CHELSEA CLASH AS CITY CAREFUL NOT TO RUSH COMEBACK

KEVIN de Bruyne is fighting to be fit for the crunch game at Chelsea a week on Saturday.

The City midfield ace, who scored a brilliant – and highly significant – winner at Stamford Bridge last season, had been targeting this weekend’s home game with Bournemouth for his comeback.

The Blues star has been out for a month after damaging knee ligaments in the Carabao Cup win over Fulham, an injury which was expected to keep him out for five to six weeks.

The Belgium international had hoped to return to training this week, leading to hopes he could meet his personal target of returning against the Cherries.

But City sources have indicated De Bruyne has been virtually ruled out for Saturday and is also not likely to make next Tuesday’s trip to Watford.

After suffering three knee ligament injuries in three years, City are reluctant to push him back into action too early – and that casts a doubt over whether he will be ready for the clash with Chelsea.

Several City players have pinpointed last season’s 1-0 win at the home of reigning champions as a watershed moment for the Blues.

It was a comprehensive win, with De Bruyne a key player as well as match-winner, and convinced the squad that Guardiola’s masterplan was working, even against the best opposition.

The Blues boss is expecting better news from his medical staff on Bernardo Silva, Gabriel Jesus and Ilkay Gundogan, who missed the trip to Lyon on Tuesday.

They are all expected to be fit for the Bournemouth game.