Pep Guardiola says he does not yet know when Kevin De Bruyne will be back in action.
De Bruyne picked up a groin injury during Manchester City’s Champions League game against Inter Milan on September 12 and has not featured since.
On Tuesday, Guardiola said that the Belgian “doesn’t feel completely fine” and when asked for an update ahead of City’s Premier League meeting with Southampton on Saturday, he was unable to give any further details.
“Of course I prefer to have all the squad because of the amount of games but it is what it is,” he told reporters. “Hopefully he comes back soon but I don’t know yet.”
De Bruyne has already missed seven City matches, while fellow midfielder Rodri will miss the rest of the season with a serious knee injury.
City will also be without Kyle Walker, Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku on Saturday.
Walker sustained a knee problem during the previous international break, while Guardiola revealed ahead of the midweek victory over Sparta Prague that Grealish and Doku are also set for a spell on the sidelines with undisclosed issues.
City, second in the Premier League, can move top of the table with a victory at the Etihad Stadium. Southampton are yet to win this season.
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