Kevin De Bruyne returns to Manchester City training

Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne has returned to training less than two months after suffering a knee ligament injury.

De Bruyne was expected to be sidelined until November or December after sustaining the injury in August, but the Belgian playmaker is ahead of schedule in his recovery and is already back on the training pitch.

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The 27-year-old is not expected to be rushed back into the first team by manager Pep Guardiola, though, and Sunday's top-of-the-table showdown with Liverpool will come too soon for him.

However, De Bruyne's return will still come as a boost to the defending champions, who lead the Premier League table on goal difference following an unbeaten start to the campaign.

De Bruyne was voted City's player of the year last season, having scored 12 goals and provided 21 assists to help his side to the league and EFL Cup double.