Kevin De Bruyne named in Manchester City's Club World Cup squad
The Belgian has not played for the Citizens since sustaining a hamstring injury, which required surgery, on the opening day of the Premier League season away against Burnley on August 11.
De Bruyne's hamstring troubles began earlier this year and he was forced to play through the pain as Pep Guardiola's side followed up triumphs in the Premier League and FA Cup with Champions League glory to win a historic treble.
The playmaker was forced off in the first half of City's 1-0 victory over Inter Milan in the Champions League final in May, and after aggravating the issue against Burnley three months later, he has since likened his injured hamstring to a «wet kitchen towel».
Last month, De Bruyne revealed that his recovery is «going very well» and he has since suggested that he could return to action at some stage in the New Year.
However, De Bruyne seemingly has an outside chance of featuring at an earlier date as the playmaker has been named in Man City's travelling squad to the Middle East for the Club World Cup, according to official FIFA documents.
Guardiola's side are due to travel to Saudi Arabia after their Premier League fixture at home to Crystal Palace on December 16, and will take on either Club Leon of Mexico or Japanese outfit Urawa Red Diamonds in their semi-final in Jeddah just three days later.
Despite De Bruyne's inclusion, the Manchester Evening News claims that the playmaker will not be fit enough to represent the Citizens in either of their two games – the semi-final and either a third-place playoff or the final.
Guardiola intends to slowly ease De Bruyne back into the
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