Kevin De Bruyne's timely return to action for Manchester City is a major boost for Pep Guardiola as his team brace for a punishing programme over the festive period.
The Belgium international, who has been limited to just 96 minutes of league football so far this season, started the midweek League Cup quarter-final against Leicester, which City won on penalties.
He completed 70 minutes in only his second outing since injuring his knee for a second time this season in a League Cup tie with Fulham on November 1 and scored City's goal in the 1-1 draw.
"I've been out so long, so to play 70 minutes is a really good sign for me personally," he told the club's official website.
"I feel a little bit stiff but I'm happy to contribute again." City's home match in the Premier League against Crystal Palace on Saturday is the first game in a run of six matches in 16 days in three competitions so Guardiola will be desperate to have all his major stars at his disposal.
In more good news for the City boss, Sergio Aguero also returned to action in midweek after being out since late November with a groin problem.
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But it is the pending return to full fitness of De Bruyne that will most excite City supporters, even if a record of 14 wins and two draws from their opening 17 league games hardly suggests the team has struggled in his absence.
De Bruyne put in a huge effort last season for his club, featuring in 52 league and cup games for City and was named their player of the season.
- Heavy schedule -
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