PEP GUARDIOLA admits he is having to put the brakes on Kevin De Bruyne as the Manchester City superstar nears his return to action.
The Belgian has been out since the opening game of the season against Burnley, following a hamstring injury and surgery to fix the issue.
Now, he is on the brink of rejoining City's Premier League title defence and a place in the squad for today's meeting with Sheffield United is not out of the question.
But Guardiola is holding the 32-year-old back to ensure there is no relapse from an injury that has kept him out since August.
He said: "Yes, absolutely - he's training with a lot of energy.
"Being injured is not good for anyone but I think for his mind it will have been good to have a few months off.
Denne historien er fra December 30, 2023-utgaven av Daily Mirror UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra December 30, 2023-utgaven av Daily Mirror UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
KELLY CATES EXCLUSIVE When Dad's at home and gets worked up about what someone says... he will text me live on air
SIR KENNY DALGLISH becomes so riled by the opinions of pundits, he will text his presenter daughter while she's on air.
MOTD THE OLD DOO NEEDS SOME NEW TRICKS
Don't just put on a sub for Lineker... TV coverage of football has moved on...the show needs a whole tactical rethink
THE SPECIAL 2.0
Petit reckons Amorim can be as big a hit in Premier League as Jose and sweep United to glory
BOKS CLEVER
Reinach: Rassie's attention to detail gets us over finishing line
That's yer plot
Channel 5 ditches The Wives, with plenty of business left unfinished
KEE TO SUCCESS
Loss-making UKA plans to cash in on fame of golden girl Hodgkinson and get its finances back on track
PM pledges to cut emissions by 81%
But Starmer rules out enforcing lifestyle changes
'Our friendship would enrage AI Fayed... and that's fantastic
Alleged victims form bond after speaking out
Sir Chris: There's a lot of life left to live
Cancer-hit Olympian speaks of future
Despots make a deal
Putin and Kim deal ratified as Ukraine attack is predicted
