De Bruyne out as Aguero tests positive for Covid
Kevin De Bruyne is a serious doubt for Manchester City’s game against Liverpool next month, with the Belgium midfielder facing the prospect of two to three weeks out with a hamstring injury.
City extended their unbeaten run to 16 matches after beating Aston Villa 2-0 on Wednesday to secure their ninth successive win in all competitions. But victory came at a substantial cost, as De Bruyne is understood to have suffered a small hamstring tear that forced his substitution in the 59th minute and could mean he misses the trip to Anfield in the Premier League on Feb 7.
De Bruyne is expected to discover the full extent of the injury today but the initial prognosis is that he is facing at least a fortnight out and, in all likelihood, a longer lay-off than that. A threeweek absence would rule him out of the league games against West Bromwich Albion, Sheffield United, Burnley, Liverpool and Tottenham, in addition to Saturday’s FA Cup fourth-round tie against Cheltenham Town.
Defender Kyle Walker also went off against Villa in the first half with an injury.
De Bruyne’s absence is a bitter blow for City manager Pep Guardiola given the Belgian’s importance and follows the news that Sergio Aguero faces an extended spell on the sidelines after the striker revealed yesterday that he had tested positive for coronavirus.
Aguero had been self-isolating since Jan 10 after coming into close contact with a person who had contracted the virus. But his return has been delayed after he tested positive for Covid-19 himself and will now have to self-isolate for longer.
The full details around the circumstances of his positive test have not been disclosed, but it is understood that City are hopeful Aguero will be back in the middle of next week for further testing with a view to resuming training. Aguero tweeted yesterday: “After a close contact, I’ve been self-isolating and the latest test I took was positive for Covid-19. I had some symptoms and I’m following doctor’s orders for recovery. Take care, everyone.”
Aguero has played only 260 minutes since suffering a knee injury against Burnley last June that forced him to undergo surgery.