Kevin De Bruyne insists he is 'ahead of schedule' after returning from hamstring injury
- Planet Sport writer
- 7 August 2023
Kevin De Bruyne insists he is "way ahead" of schedule on his return from a hamstring injury that cut short his appearance in Manchester City's Champions League final win.
Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne says he has returned earlier than expected after suffering a hamstring injury in last season's Champions League final.
The 32-year-old scored 10 goals and provided 31 assists as City won the treble last season, adding the FA Cup and Champions League to a fifth Premier League crown in six years.
De Bruyne revealed that he was carrying a hamstring injury for the last two months of the campaign and was forced off just 36 minutes into the 1-0 win over Inter Milan in June.
His first action back was off the bench as a second-half substitute in Sunday's Community Shield meeting with Arsenal - where he set up Cole Palmer for the opening goal but then missed the first penalty as the Gunners won a shoot-out 4-1.
"I'm way ahead of schedule," he said after the Wembley clash.
"I was probably looking to be back around the game vs Seville (in the Super Cup on August 16). I just enjoyed my summer, worked on my injury.
"I came back and the scan was good so I trained mostly alone in Japan. That went well, I'm happy.
"You don't know how the injury will be. Mostly in the past I've always been quite a quick healer. It's the body."
City begin the defence of their league title with a trip to Championship winners Burnley on Friday.
De Bruyne, though, admits he does not know if he will be fit enough to start at Turf Moor.
"I don't know how I am physically," added the Belgium international. "I've probably trained five or six times with the team.
"I'm not too worried about it. I played 45 minutes at a good level so I'm happy with that. I'm getting better and there's still around 70-80 games this year so I should be fine!"
Pep Guardiola has yet to confirm who will take over as City's new captain this season after Ilkay Gundogan departed for Barcelona.
Kyle Walker - linked with a move to Bayern Munich - led City out at Wembley, while De Bruyne took the armband when he replaced Mateo Kovacic on 64 minutes.
Asked about the captaincy, De Bruyne replied: "Nothing yet. I don't know.
"If I get it, I get it. It's not going to change anything I do for the club. This is my ninth year, I know the club inside out and people know whatever they ask of me, I'll do.
"I'm not too worried. I try to do the same as always. It's an honour if I get it and if not, it doesn't matter."
