Kevin De Bruyne will miss Manchester City’s FA Cup quarter-final against Newcastle on Saturday with a minor groin injury.
The news emerged after the City playmaker was not included in Belgium’s squad for their international friendlies against the Republic of Ireland and England later this month.
The PA news agency understands the problem is not considered too serious by City and the club are hopeful he will be fit for their crucial Premier League clash with Arsenal on March 31st.
It is nevertheless another setback for De Bruyne after missing most of the first half of the campaign following hamstring surgery.
It is unclear when the 32-year-old suffered the injury. He looked frustrated to be substituted after 69 minutes of last Sunday’s 1-1 draw at title rivals Liverpool but there was no suggestion at the time he was injured.
Belgium coach Domenico Tedesco offered an update on De Bruyne’s situation at a press conference on Thursday morning.
Tedesco told reporters: “Yesterday was a tough day for us because we had some bad news.
“Kevin De Bruyne will miss this camp due to a groin injury, but the most important thing is that he’ll be back very soon on the pitch and we will have him completely for the Euros. This is our target with Kevin.
“We discussed it with a doctor and then I had a call with Kevin and I decided that it’s too risky.
“I think we have a responsibility, not just for the player, also for the team. It should make always sense, if we call a player, he should be able to play and to train.
“And if he’s not ready to play and to train, or if the risk of a re-injury is too high, I think it’s our responsibility to say it’s better to protect him, to give him the time to have a good rehabilitation in City and then have him ready for the Euros.”
It is City’s second fitness blow in the space of a few days after goalkeeper Ederson was ruled out for up to four weeks with a thigh injury.
The Brazilian was hurt in a collision with Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez – in which he conceded a penalty – at Anfield and was replaced by number two Stefan Ortega.
