Midfielder was expected to be sidelined until November
Monday 1 October 2018 16:36, UK
Kevin De Bruyne has handed Manchester City a major boost by returning to training following a knee injury.
The midfielder suffered ligament damage in August and had been expected to miss up to three months.
But he trained with his team-mates on Monday ahead of City's Champions League trip to Hoffenheim in a timely fillip for Pep Guardiola's side, with Liverpool also looming in the Premier League.
City have not put a date on his return to first-team action but Guardiola, speaking ahead of City's 2-0 win over Brighton last time out, confirmed he was making good progress.
"Kevin is making the last steps (in his recovery)," Guardiola said. "He could start training in next few days, doing part of the sessions. Everything is going well."
Benjamin Mendy and Fabian Delph are still recovering from knocks but Sergio Aguero - whom Guardiola revealed had been carrying a foot injury - took part in the session.
