Kevin De Bruyne Injury: Updates on Manchester City Midfielder's Knee and Return

Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne picked up a knee injury during Wednesday's Capital One Cup semi-final second leg against Everton at the Etihad Stadium. He's expected to miss at least another month.

Continue for updates.

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De Bruyne Comments on Recovery Timeline

Sunday, Feb. 28

De Bruyne said he hopes to be back in five to six weeks, per Kristoff Terreur of HLN.

"I'll work hard on my recovery and hope to be back on the pitch ASAP," De Bruyne said on Jan. 28. "Thank you all for the supportive messages!"

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Pellegrini Optimistic Over KDB's Setback

Wednesday, Jan. 27

"I think his season isn't over. It's not his cruciate ligament," City manager Manuel Pellegrini confirmed, per Terreur.

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De Bruyne a Key Creative Option for City

De Bruyne has already become a crucial figure for the blue half of Manchester after inking a six-year deal with the Citizens on the penultimate day of August 2015.

Following his ill-fated spell at Chelsea and subsequent return to prominence with Bundesliga club Wolfsburg, De Bruyne is now an important player in City's assault on four trophies.

His ability to play on either flank or to roam the central areas behind the striker in a free role ensured a quick transition to Pellegrini's fluid style of football. He's scored goals and supplied a host of chances along City's forward line.

De Bruyne offers more of a goal threat than Jesus Navas and greater creative verve than fellow big-money import Raheem Sterling. The pair represent the obvious cover in his absence.

A natural winger, Navas offers genuine width to a side that can sometimes get a little too narrow in attacking play. The summer arrival of Sterling has helped mitigate this problem, but the Citizens are certainly going to miss De Bruyne.

Fortunately, though, Pellegrini is blessed with arguably the richest contingent of attacking options in England's top flight.

With Sterling, David Silva and Yaya Toure still supporting the prolific Sergio Aguero, City are a good bet to maintain a strong bid for this season's Premier League title.