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Kevin de Bruyne could miss the next four months of the season as Manchester City decide whether he needs surgery on a hamstring injury, manager Pep Guardiola says.<\/p>\n
The 32-year-old limped off after 23 minutes in City\u2019s opening win against Burnley at Turf Moor on Friday.<\/p>\n
De Bruyne also went off injured during the Champions League final win over Inter Milan in June.<\/p>\n
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\u201cIt\u2019s a serious injury,\u201d said Guardiola.<\/p>\n
The Belgium international missed all of City\u2019s pre-season matches and returned as a second-half substitute in the Community Shield defeat by Arsenal.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have to decide if he needs surgery or no surgery but he will be out for a few months,\u201d added Guardiola, who confirmed De Bruyne\u2019s issue is related to the same hamstring.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe decision on surgery will be taken in the coming days and could see him miss three or four months\u201d.<\/p>\n
De Bruyne scored 10 goals and provided 31 assists as City claimed the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup last season.<\/p>\n
He said earlier this month he had been playing through the pain with a hamstring injury for the final two months of the season, but Guardiola said every precaution had been taken before the game against Burnley.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe could say don\u2019t play but this injury could happen later,\u201d the Spanish boss said. \u201cBefore I took the decision I spoke to the doctor, the physio and him. He said he felt good.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have to say the injury for Kevin is a blow for us. It\u2019s a big loss. Kevin has specific qualities which you can lose for one or two games but, for a long time, it is really tough for us.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt the same time you have to look forward, you have alternatives there \u2013 of course different skills, as the skills from Kevin are irreplaceable.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have a different talent of players and this is an opportunity; life gives you that. When there is an injury there is an opportunity for the other one, so I\u2019m pretty sure they will take it.\u201d<\/p>\n
As to whether City will try and bring in reinforcements before the transfer window closes, Guardiola said: \u201cWe will see. After what happened we will see the possibilities.\u201d<\/p>\n
City face Europa League winners Sevilla in the Super Cup in Athens, Greece on Wednesday at 20:00 BST.<\/p>\n
Midfielder Rodri said he was unaware of the severity of De Bruyne\u2019s injury, but added that the squad will help the Belgian through his recovery.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe is the one of most important players of the club. We will miss him a lot,\u201d said Spain international Rodri.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will try to support him in these moments. No one wants injuries. I saw him he other day and he was positive.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s an experienced player, he knows he has to recover. That\u2019s the most important part. We will miss him but we have a complete squad to play the next the few months.\u201d<\/p>\n
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