Before Sunday afternoon’s Premier League match between Manchester City and Arsenal, a fresh report has provided an update on Kevin De Bruyne’s fitness.

Over the course of the most recent international break, Pep Guardiola has had to deal with a string of unsettling developments on his first-team squad; several of his defensive players, in particular, have experienced fitness issues while representing their respective countries.

Over the past few days, while playing for England, Kyle Walker and John Stones were both forced to substitute early against Brazil and Belgium, respectively. Stones has not yet received a diagnosis for an issue that is thought to be related to his adductor.

Before Sunday afternoon’s Premier League match between Manchester City and Arsenal, a fresh report has provided an update on Kevin De Bruyne’s fitness.

Over the course of the most recent international break, Pep Guardiola has had to deal with a string of unsettling developments on his first-team squad; several of his defensive players, in particular, have experienced fitness issues while representing their respective countries.

Over the past few days, while playing for England, Kyle Walker and John Stones were both forced to substitute early against Brazil and Belgium, respectively. Stones has not yet received a diagnosis for an issue that is thought to be related to his adductor.

A knock also forced Manuel Akanji to leave the Switzerland team early, and Portuguese midfielder Matheus Nunes also suffered an injury of the same nature. Both players will be evaluated when they return to the City Football Academy.

A new development involving Kevin De Bruyne, however, will offer Manchester City supporters much to cheer about ahead of the crucial return to domestic action this weekend—some much-needed good news.

That’s according to Rob Dawson of ESPN, who says that Manchester City is “optimistic” about Kevin De Bruyne, their star midfielder, being healthy for Sunday afternoon’s Premier League matchup against Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium.

Further information reveals that there is “growing hope” that Kevin De Bruyne, who trained with the club’s Under-23s on Tuesday, will be available for selection against Arsenal.

The midfielder will be being watched by medical personnel, but ESPN reports that he should be back in action on Thursday when Manchester City’s first team practices resume in advance of the match this weekend.

Kevin De Bruyne, who has been out of the game since the beginning of the season due to recuperation from hamstring surgery, has emerged as one of Pep Guardiola’s team’s best players.

The 32-year-old Belgian has made 14 appearances in all competitions, tallying 13 assists and two goals, four of which came in a single match during Manchester City’s FA Cup fifth-round victory over Luton, 2–6.

Kevin De Bruyne’s ability to play and maintain top-tier health will be essential if City is to survive their extremely difficult stretch of games in late March and early April and win back-to-back Trebles.