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Champions City rocked by De Bruyne injury blow

PREMIER LEAGUE favourites Manchester City have been hit by a further injury blow to pivotal midfielder Kevin De Bruyne.

The Citizens, who are 4-9 to retain their crown as they prepare for tomorrow’s home game against Southampton, look set to be without the Belgian superstar for between five and six weeks.

The 27-year-old suffered ligament damage to his left knee during Thursday’s 2-0 League Cup victory over Fulham in just his second game back from an injury to his other knee that he suffered in a training session in August.

The problem is not thought to require surgery.

City are generally available at 9-2 to be crowned champions of Europe for the first time this season and Pep Guardiola’s team are just 1-8 to see off Ukrainian outfit Shakhtar Donetsk in their next Champions League group outing at the Etihad on Wednesday evening.

Chelsea hope that De Bruyne’s Belgium teammate Eden Hazard will have recovered from a back injury to play some part in the Blues’ London derby with Crystal Palace tomorrow.

Hazard suffered the problem in the Blues’ 2-2 draw with Manchester United two weeks ago and has missed Chelsea’s last three matches.

Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri is hopeful that his star forward will be able to face the Eagles, who have won at Fulham and Huddersfield this season. He said: “Maybe he will not be ready to play for 90 minutes but he will probably be able to play for 40 or 45.

“I will speak to him before deciding whether he starts.”

The Blues are unbeaten in their ten Premier League matches this season and are just 2-7 to beat the Eagles at Stamford Bridge.

Palace, who are 12-1 for victory, should have star player Wilfried Zaha available after he recovered from a slight shoulder injury he suffered in last weekend’s 2-2 home draw with Arsenal.

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