Pep Guardiola confirms John Stones substitution was a "precaution"
Sunday 3 March 2019 09:27, UK
Kevin De Bruyne will be out "for a while" after suffering a hamstring injury during Manchester City's win at Bournemouth, says Pep Guardiola.
The Belgian midfielder was substituted in the first half of City's victory after after going down unchallenged, and was replaced by Riyad Mahrez, with the score goalless.
Asked about De Bruyne's early exit, Guardiola was downbeat, responding: "Kevin will be out for a while with a muscular problem - hamstring.
"But when you play 25 games in 93 days, it is a physical issue. We don't give the players time to recover."
After enjoying a superb 2017/18 season, De Bruyne has been hit by several injuries during this campaign.
The 27-year-old tore a ligament in his knee in August, causing him to miss 10 games, before suffering another knee issue in November.
After registering 12 goals and 21 assists in all competitions last season, De Bruyne has just four goals and four assists this term.
City defender John Stones was also taken off with an injury during their victory, with captain Vincent Kompany replacing him.
However, Guardiola was more positive in his diagnosis of the England defender's problem, saying: "John - I think it was a precaution."
