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De Bruyne ruled out of Manchester derby

Matthew Ashton - AMA / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Pep Guardiola confirmed Kevin De Bruyne will not be fit for Wednesday's derby showdown with Manchester United due to a muscular injury.

The Belgian lasted 38 minutes of Manchester City's nervy 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday before he was withdrawn with the issue.

"We will see if (De Bruyne) can play one or two more games and next season take care of him," Guardiola said of the midfielder.

"We are going to speak with him, with the doctors and physios to make sure he is safe and fit. That's what we are trying to do from now on."

De Bruyne's season has been marred by injuries. Last term, the 27-year-old missed just one league match, but he has started only 11 of Manchester City's 34 Premier League outings during the current campaign after he suffered knee ligament injuries in August and November.

Without De Bruyne to call upon, Guardiola can choose from the likes of Fernandinho, Ilkay Gundogan, Bernardo Silva, David Silva, and teenager Phil Foden for his preferred three-man midfield.

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