Manchester City will be boosted by the return of Samir Nasri and Kevin de Bruyne, as they prepare to get their Premier League campaign back on track.
The Citizens take on giant-killers Bournemouth on Saturday after the international break. Before the break, they were dealt a few huge injury blows. After losing Vincent Kompany and Nicolas Otamendi in their Champions League round of 16 second leg tie against Dynamo Kiev, they lost their ace keeper Joe Hart and winger Raheem Sterling to injuries in the Manchester derby.
However, things are looking up for Manchester City now, with two of their top midfielders returning to action after a prolonged period. Kevin de Bruyne has been out for two months with an ankle injury, but could make the cut against Bournemouth.
“I might be in the squad against Bournemouth. I’m very excited,” said De Bruyne in a Facebook Q&A session, according to Manchester Evening News.
His fellow midfielder Samir Nasri has been out for the majority of the season, after suffering a muscle tear in training back in October. The Frenchman is also poised to make his return against Bournemouth and make up for the loss of Sterling.
“It’s been five-and-a half-months and all I need now is playing time. I feel good in five-a-side, with ball possession and we’ve had a couple of games against the EDS – it was hard and I was a bit tired afterwards – but I’m ready for everything now,” said Nasri ahead of the match, according to the official Manchester City website.
The duo will join David Silva in midfield, behind lone striker Sergio Aguero. Yaya Toure and Fabian Delph will most likely start in central midfield, but face late fitness tests. The defence poses a huge problem for Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini, and he could be forced to play a new face alongside Eliaquim Mangala and full backs Gael Clichy and Bacary Sagna. League Cup Final hero Willy Caballero will be standing in for Joe Hart in goal.
