Pep Guardiola confirms injured Man City star is close to returning

Pep Guardiola has confirmed Nathan Ake should be back following the October international break after missing the last four weeks through injury.

The Dutchman picked up a knock during September’s international games and has not played since. Guardiola revealed three weeks ago that Ake would be out for the seven games between the September and October breaks, and hasn’t been asked for an update since.

But ahead of Saturday’s game against Fulham, the Manchester City boss said he is hopeful that Ake will be available in two weeks’ time, even if he will take a while to regain his full fitness.

“Yeah, I expect him back after the international break. I would say without injury, but Nathan is not like Phil Foden, for example, that [clicks fingers] are into training sessions and fit. He needs time,” Guardiola explained. “The info I had yesterday is that he has started training on the pitch and we will see.”

Another player who is set to return after the October international break is Kevin De Bruyne. The midfielder has missed the last four games and will not be involved against Fulham due to injury.

Belgium manager Domenico Tedesco revealed on Friday that De Bruyne has also requested to miss November’s games for his country, as the 33-year-old attempts to deal with the physical demands of the packed fixture schedule.

But Guardiola believes De Bruyne’s decision is also a result of the surgery he underwent last season to address a hamstring injury that ruled him out for five months of the campaign.

“He knows his body, but especially his age and the tough surgery. It will be the same with Rodri. I know form my experience when you have these long injuries, after that you have to be careful,” said Guardiola.

“The problem Kevin has is the consequence of last season being five months out. When you have these surgeries your body becomes unbalanced. That’s why you have to work off the pitch, to make your body as balanced as possible. You cannot play every three days.”

In addition to Ake and De Bruyne, City will also be without Rodri and Oscar Bobb for Saturday’s Premier League clash against an in-form Fulham.