Phil Foden and Kevin De Bruyne are set to return to training for Manchester City - and could even be on the subs’ bench for Saturday’s trip to Leicester.
Foden has been suffering from a foot injury he picked up on international duty with England at Euro 2020 in July, and has missed the start of the Blues season, as well as the current batch of World Cup qualifying matches, which conclude with a trip to Poland on Wednesday night.
Manager Pep Guardiola said before the 5-0 win over Arsenal that both players were expected back after the international break.
But there have been rumours that Foden’s injury was more complicated than first thought and that he could be out for longer.
That seems unfounded, and Foden is on course to return to training this week - and is also set for a new bumper six-year contract, despite having three years left on his current deal.
Talks over a new deal were delayed by the death of Foden’s agent Richard Green in April, but could now be wrapped up this week.
De Bruyne has also struggled with an injury he picked up at Euro 2020, where he limped off with an ankle injury in the quarter-final win over Portugal.
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He played the last few minutes of City’s season opener at Spurs but has failed to shake off the problem and was pulled out of the Belgium squad for the current international fortnight.
De Bruyne is also expected back in training, and could also be in line to sit beside Foden on the bench at the King Power Stadium, with City’s attacking complement almost back up to full capacity.
City will assess Aymeric Laporte’s adductor problem when he returns from duty with Spain, while reserve keeper Zack Steffen is also out after a positive Covid test. Nathan Ake has withdrawn from the Netherlands' squad due to 'private circumstances and it's unclear as yet if he'll be available at the weekend
