Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has given little away about whether Kevin De Bruyne could be in line to start against Nottingham Forest.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s Reds make the trip to the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night (7.30pm kick-off) looking to take advantage of their opponents’ poor run of form. City are winless in seven games in all competitions and are just one point above Forest in the table.
De Bruyne has not started a game since September due to a pelvis issue. His last five appearances have been as a substitute as he builds up his fitness.
Asked if the Belgian is close to a return to the first XI, Guardiola said in his pre-match press conference: “He is closer (to full fitness) and (has been) even better in the last few days.”
Guardiola also provided an injury update on John Stones. The England international has been struggling with a foot problem and has featured once in City’s last six fixtures.
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“He's not close, no,” Guardiola said. “Still, he is injured - he has an injury to his feet. I don’t know (when he will be back) but, I would say not next week.”
In Sunday’s 2-0 defeat away to Liverpool, Guardiola opted for a change between the posts. He dropped goalkeeper Ederson and started Stefan Ortega in his place, and he has hinted it could remain the same against Forest.
“Eddy is the No.1 and Stefan is the No.2 but maybe Stefan will continue,” said Guardiola. “We will see in the next games. (Ederson reacted) really good. We know each other for eight or nine years.”
Long-term absentees Danilo (broken ankle) and Ibrahim Sangare (hamstring) are the only players definitely ruled out of the clash for Forest. Head coach Nuno is likely to have to manage the minutes of Morgan Gibbs-White and Elliot Anderson given both have been struggling with injury problems of late.
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