around six weeks of action with the ankle and knee injuries
sustained in the League Cup semi-final defeat of Everton on
Wednesday.
De Bruyne landed awkwardly and had to be stretchered off
the pitch in the closing stages of the dramatic clash at the
Etihad Stadium, in which City came from a goal down to
beat the Toffees 3-1 to secure a 4-3 aggregate victory.
The Belgian played a key part in that turnaround, coming off
the bench in the second half to score City's second and set
up their third, but left the Etihad on crutches and with heavy
strapping on his left leg.
He had been in high spirits as he spoke to reporters on his
way out of the ground and had initially said he would be fit in
time for the League Cup final against Liverpool on February
28.
But early scans on Thursday have revealed the extent of the
damage and that he may not return to action until the middle
of March.
That would leave him in a race to be fit for City's Champions
League last 16 second leg against Dynamo Kiev on March
15 and the Manchester derby five days later.
His agent, Patrick De Koster, told Sky Sports as the news
broke: "I spoke with him half an hour ago and he is a little bit
sad because he has got a tear in his ankle and also the
ligament in his knee are touched. I think for sure he will
need six weeks of rehabilitation.
"He is still going to do some more medicals today and at the
end of the day I think, at least tomorrow morning, we will
have the time he needs to be 100 per cent again."
Sources have told Goal, however, that the Belgian was
relieved that the injury was not more serious and that he will
be back for City's run-in and will remain in contention for
this summer's European Championship campaign with
Belgium.
De Bruyne has been a key figure for City this season,
scoring 12 goals and laying on 12 assists in all
competitions.
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