Pep Guardiola hints at Nathan Ake return as Man City get Kevin De Bruyne update

Evening Standard

·18 October 2024

Pep Guardiola hints at Nathan Ake return as Man City get Kevin De Bruyne update

Man City are set to welcome back two key senior players very soon

Manchester City defender Nathan Ake could return to the matchday squad against Wolves, Pep Guardiola has revealed, but Kevin De Bruyne remains sidelined.

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The Dutchman has been absent since sustaining a hamstring injury during the September international break, whilst De Bruyne was last seen hobbling off with a groin problem during the UEFA Champions League clash with Internazionale last month.

The good news for Man City supporters is the pair are back in training ahead of Sunday's Premier League meeting against bottom-of-the-table Wolves, which means a return to action shouldn’t be too far away for either.

However, Guardiola has stated that he doesn’t expect to have Ake or De Bruyne available for selection to start at Molineux Stadium.

“I don’t think so. No. Not ready,” he revealed at a news conference on Friday.

Interestingly though, the Spaniard didn't exactly rule out a place among the substitutes for Ake as he waits to assess Brazilian pair Ederson and Savinho as well as Manuel Akanji.

"They are training and in the last part and yesterday Nathan did his first training with the team," Guardiola added. "Maybe can travel but to start is not ready.

“Some of the Brazilians. Manu [had an issue after the international break]. Tomorrow we will see how they feel. Tomorrow we will know exactly.”

After Wolves, Man City host Sparta Prague in the Champions League and Southampton next week, and then they have trips to Tottenham Hotspur, Sporting Club and Brighton before the next break in the calendar.