Man City hopeful on De Bruyne fitness for Arsenal – sources،
Manchester City are optimistic that Kevin De Bruyne will be fit for Sunday's crucial Premier League clash with Arsenal, sources have told ESPN.
De Bruyne missed the FA Cup quarter-final win over Newcastle United with a groin injury, with the problem also ruling him out of Belgium's friendlies against the Republic of Ireland and England during the international break.
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But there are growing hopes the midfielder will be available for selection against Arsenal after completing a training session with the Under-23s on Tuesday. Jack Grealish, who was not part of the England squad as he continues to recover from a muscle injury, also trained at the City Football Academy this week.
Medical staff will continue to monitor De Bruyne, but he is expected to participate when first-team training resumes on Thursday.
Most of City's international players are expected to return to the club no later than Friday ahead of their final preparations for Arsenal's visit to the Etihad.
De Bruyne's potential availability is a boost for manager Pep Guardiola, who is sweating on the fitness of Kyle Walker and John Stones.
Walker was forced off during England's 1-0 defeat to Brazil on Saturday after suffering a hamstring injury, while Stones was replaced early in the 2-2 draw against Belgium on Tuesday in due to an adductor problem.
Walker's injury is not thought to be serious, but he still faces a race against time to prove his fitness before facing Mikel Arteta's title challengers.
Meanwhile, sources have told ESPN that City are disappointed with the timing of their FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea.
City initially thought the match would be played on Sunday April 21, four days after their Champions League quarter-final second leg against Real Madrid at the Etihad.
However, the club have since been informed that the match will take place at Wembley on Saturday – 24 hours early – leaving Guardiola and his players just three days to recover from their match against the Spanish giants.
Neither Manchester United nor Coventry – the teams in the other semi-final – are involved in any European competition and, according to sources, are initially expected to play on Saturday. City are also due to face Brighton at the Amex on April 25 before traveling to Nottingham Forest three days later on April 28.
