Pep Guardiola is unable to say when Kevin De Bruyne will return five weeks on from an injury that was described as minor.
De Bruyne came off with a thigh problem in the Champions League draw with Inter, although Guardiola played down the extent of the issue. However, a return after the October international break has still not materialised and while the player is back in training with the Blues he is still expected to be involved against Sparta Prague on Wednesday.
That will be the seventh straight game the 33-year-old has missed this season after a promising start to the campaign. Guardiola still does not think it is a big problem but needs his playmaker to be completely ready before he returns.
“It’s not a big issue but he doesn’t feel completely fine and Kevin is not 22 years old anymore,” he said. “He has to be fit completely for his football. He has to be completely comfortable or he cannot express his potential.
“He is training a little bit better. He said to me he still doesn’t feel good, so take your time. He has to be [100% ready].”
Guardiola could not share any positive news on Kyle Walker either after the defender returned from England duty with a knee problem. He was unable to make the trip to Wolves on Sunday and is also set to be ruled out of the Champions League match.
Asked if he could be out for a while, the manager said: “I don’t know.”
