Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola expects Kevin de Bruyne to be 'out for a while', having suffered a hamstring problem in the 1-0 win at Bournemouth.
The Belgian playmaker, who has seen his season badly disrupted by fitness issues, had to be replaced soon after half-time at Dean Court - with Riyad Mahrez replacing him and going on to score the only goal of the game.
Kevin may be out for a while, it is his hamstring.
Pep Guardiola
Afterwards, Guardiola, who was delighted with a victory which took his side back to the top of the Premier League table, admitted that the tough programme of games was hampered De Bruyne as he attempts to regain full match fitness.
He told reporters: "Kevin may be out for a while, it is his hamstring. When we play 25 games in 93 days, it is hard and becomes a physical issue.
"We don't give players time to recover and with the rhythm we play, after they have not physically recovered, then comes another game.
"So we play these kinds of games with a shorter space and we know it is demanding, but we know that if we lose, we won't have a chance to win the title."
The Citizens now have a full week to prepare for their next assignment, which is a visit from Watford next Saturday.
City have won their last nine matches against the Hornets and are 1/7 to win again next weekend, with the hosts 7/1 to secure a 2-0 victory and 1/2 to go on and be crowned Premier League champions come the end of the season.
View all Soccer betting
Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola expects Kevin de Bruyne to be 'out for a while', having suffered a hamstring problem in the 1-0 win at Bournemouth.
The Belgian playmaker, who has seen his season badly disrupted by fitness issues, had to be replaced soon after half-time at Dean Court - with Riyad Mahrez replacing him and going on to score the only goal of the game.
Kevin may be out for a while, it is his hamstring.
Pep Guardiola
Afterwards, Guardiola, who was delighted with a victory which took his side back to the top of the Premier League table, admitted that the tough programme of games was hampered De Bruyne as he attempts to regain full match fitness.
He told reporters: "Kevin may be out for a while, it is his hamstring. When we play 25 games in 93 days, it is hard and becomes a physical issue.
"We don't give players time to recover and with the rhythm we play, after they have not physically recovered, then comes another game.
"So we play these kinds of games with a shorter space and we know it is demanding, but we know that if we lose, we won't have a chance to win the title."
The Citizens now have a full week to prepare for their next assignment, which is a visit from Watford next Saturday.
City have won their last nine matches against the Hornets and are 1/7 to win again next weekend, with the hosts 7/1 to secure a 2-0 victory and 1/2 to go on and be crowned Premier League champions come the end of the season.
View all Soccer betting
Source: bet365.com