The Belgium international captain and Manchester City midfielder has disclosed the date of his much-awaited comeback after recuperating for several months from a hamstring injury.

Since playing in the Premier League season’s first match against Burnley, the 32-year-old City star has been out for Pep Guardiola’s team due to a hamstring injury he sustained early in the match.

It looked like the injury was a recurrence of the same problem that prompted the Belgian star to quit early after the UEFA Champions League final in Istanbul the previous season. Doctors recommended surgery to stop the condition from happening again.

Following a successful August procedure, Kevin De Bruyne was declared out of the 2023–24 season for the foreseeable future. An early diagnosis indicated that he might not return to action for Manchester City until the following year.

Speaking to Sky Sports on Sunday afternoon while in attendance at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the Manchester City midfielder stated that he intends to return to play after the new year if all goes according to plan.

“If everything goes well, hopefully I’ll be back in action for Manchester City not long after the New Year,” said Kevin De Bruyne.

Despite Kevin De Bruyne’s ongoing absence, Manchester City has been playing to their customary high standards and making sure they participate in most of their main competitions this season.

In addition to securing a position in the UEFA Champions League last-16, City is currently ranked second in the Premier League standings. They still have games remaining against RB Leipzig and Crvena zvezda to decide who will advance to the next round.

Later in December, Manchester City will make their debut at the FIFA Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia. The Treble winners will then return to the Emirates FA Cup in January.