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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Joe Bray

Why Kevin De Bruyne isn't in Man City squad vs Fulham

Manchester City were given an injury concern on Sunday as Kevin De Bruyne wasn't fit enough to travel to Fulham in the Premier League.

Having scored twice and assisted another in the 4-1 win over Arsenal on Wednesday, Pep Guardiola had confirmed that De Bruyne had picked up a 'niggle' in the second half and he was substituted with ten minutes to go.

While Guardiola didn't seem too concerned with the problem, it was enough to keep him out of the trip to Fulham, and City will now hope his injury is not too serious with fixtures against West Ham, Leeds and Real Madrid following in the next fortnight.

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City's official reason for De Bruyne's absence was that the midfielder was 'not fully fit'. On Wednesday, Guardiola said: "Kevin told me he had some niggles in his legs and asked for the substitution."

Speaking at Craven Cottage prior to kick-off, Guardiola said of De Bruyne: "He doesn't feel good. He has an injury and could not travel." Guardiola also would not put a timescale on the midfielder's return.

Also absent at Craven Cottage was Nathan Ake, who is nearing a return and back doing fitness work at the training ground, but was not fit enough to feature at Fulham.

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