Pep Guardiola has confirmed he is expecting Kevin De Bruyne to return to action in January.
The Manchester City star has been on the sidelines with a hamstring injury since the opening day of the season, when he limped off in the first-half against Burnley.
In his absence, City have still made a strong start to the season, with their place in the Champions League last-16 secured with time to spare, and Guardiola's side only one point off Arsenal at the top of the Premier League.
De Bruyne was in attendance at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix over the weekend, where he was asked for an update on his recovery from injury.
"It's going well, getting along," De Bruyne said. "Still got a little way to go, but we'll be there."
On when he could return to the pitch, he added: "Hopefully something close after the New Year, if everything goes well."
Ahead of his side's Champions League match at home to RB Leipzig on Tuesday night, Guardiola echoed that timeframe, as the City boss looked forward to having De Bruyne available again.
"If he said January, it will be January," Guardiola said.
"I would have loved to have him all season but now he has tough injury and surgery and he said end of December or New Year, so it will be a happy New Year for everyone."
It means De Bruyne will not be involved next month when City participate in the Club World Cup, as he misses the hectic festive period facing his team-mates.
Guardiola dismissed the suggestion that De Bruyne could benefit from his time away from the pitch, allowing him the chance to reset mentally and physically, as he warned against expecting the 32-year-old to hit the ground running.
“I don’t think so, I think he prefers to be with us," Guardiola said.
"Football, he is not 21 anymore. Time runs, unfortunately he is injured and has to recover well, prepare well and we’re not expecting after one week to be perfect. Step by step, to have him from the beginning, the bench, always a good weapon."
