Report: De Bruyne set for early injury return

Premier League front-runners Manchester City are set for a massive boost.

Kevin De Bruyne is set to return from a knee injury sooner than expected, with The Guardian's Jamie Jackson reporting Monday that the Belgian international is on track to return to Pep Guardiola's first team for a Dec. 4 trip to Watford.

The crafty playmaker's recovery would also put him in line for a clash with fellow unbeaten side Chelsea four days later at Stamford Bridge.

De Bruyne, 27, injured ligaments in his left knee in the League Cup victory over Fulham on Nov. 1 and was expected to be out for up to six weeks. It's the midfield maestro's second ailment of the season after he suffered an injury to his right knee in training Aug. 15.

With just five appearances this season spread out over three competitions, De Bruyne has largely been a passenger to City's stellar start to the campaign, with the Premier League holder sitting atop the standings on 32 points from a dozen matches with an astounding plus-31 goal differential.