Kevin De Bruyne has been left out of the Belgium squad for the upcoming international break after suffering a groin injury scare.
Having missed four months of the campaign with a hamstring injury, De Bruyne has been in dazzling form since his return in January and now sits on 13 assists in 14 games across all competitions.
His latest assist came in the 1-1 draw with Liverpool, in which he cut a frustrated figure after being substituted with 20 minutes to go. Manager Pep Guardiola suggested the decision was tactical.
Now, however, Belgium boss Domenico Tedesco has revealed De Bruyne is not fully fit and has been left out of the international squad as a result.
“He’s been playing with a minor groin issue during the last few games,” Tedesco said.” Yesterday I spoke to the doctor and Kevin and we decided that the risk is too big.
“It’s better to give him time to recover well at City and then have him ready for the Euros.”
De Bruyne would appear to be an injury doubt for this weekend’s FA Cup quarter-final clash with Newcastle United as a result of this groin issue.
After the international break, City return to action with an almighty Premier League game against title rivals Arsenal, who head to the Etihad Stadium looking to hand an enormous blow to City’s hopes of retaining their trophy.
Guardiola will want De Bruyne at full fitness for that game and so the 32-year-old playmaker being left at home over the international break will come as an enormous boost to the City boss.
