Kevin de Bruyne was Manchester City's player of the season in 2017-18
Manchester City's Kevin de Bruyne is having tests on a right knee injury suffered in training on Wednesday.
City said the extent of the injury suffered by the 27-year-old Belgium midfielder is "not yet known".
In 2016, he missed 12 games after injuring his right knee during an EFL Cup semi-final victory over Everton.
De Bruyne was City's player of the season last term, scoring 12 goals and providing 21 assists as his side won the Premier League and EFL Cup.
City, who began their title defence with a 2-0 victory at Arsenal, next play Huddersfield at home on Sunday.
They then face matches away to Wolves and at home to Newcastle before an international break.
Their fifth match of the season is at home to Fulham on 15 September, with their first Champions League group game to take place on 18 or 19 September.
City broke several records in 2017-18, including reaching 100 points, winning 32 matches and scoring 106 goals.
Speaking to BBC Sport in a wide-ranging interview to be broadcast during Football Focus on Saturday (12:00 BST on BBC One), De Bruyne said City "will never have a season like last year" as they attempt to become the first Premier League champions since 2009 to retain the title.
Kevin De Bruyne is undergoing tests on his right knee after sustaining an injury at training on Wednesday.
The extent of the problem is not yet known and we will bring you further updates on Kevin's condition in due course.
Manchester City were dealt a significant blow on Wednesday after Kevin De Bruyne suffered a serious knee injury in training.
Sportsmail understands there are fears De Bruyne has torn a lateral ligament in his right knee and City are worried their playmaker could miss up to three months.
The 27-year-old will undergo further tests to examine the extent of the damage but the news comes as a bitter pill for Pep Guardiola.
Kevin De Bruyne was pictured in the gym on Wednesday morning but was injured later in day
De Bruyne participated in a weights session as he continued to get back to full fitness
De Bruyne was pictured in the gym during a morning session as he worked out with his team-mates using weights and could be seen working on his leg strength.
But he sustained a serious injury during an afternoon session once Manchester City had taken to the field.
Man City have released a statement confirming De Bruyne will undergo further tests.
'Kevin De Bruyne is undergoing tests on his right knee after sustaining an injury at training on Wednesday,' it read.
'The extent of the problem is not yet known and we will bring you further updates on Kevin's condition in due course.'
He returned later than most to the squad following Belgium's run to third place at World Cup
De Bruyne suffered a similar injury when twisting his knee against Everton in 2016
He had to be stretchered off and missed nine weeks, but it's feared it could be worse this time
DE BRUYNE'S LIKELY REPLACEMENT Who could replace De Bruyne in Manchester City's starting lineup? Bernando Silva, Riyad Mahrez and Ilkay Gundogan
The injury is similar to that sustained in 2016 when De Bruyne missed nine weeks after twisting awkwardly when challenging Everton’s Ramiro Funes Mori.
In that game - a League Cup semi-final - De Bruyne was stretched off in injury time, with the then Everton goalkeeper Joel Robles forced to apologise after the game as he tried to pull the Belgian up, believing he was just wasting time.
Guardiola failed to land a midfielder this summer and last week saw Douglas Luiz have a work permit application rejected.
City do, however, possess other options. Bernardo Silva, David Silva, Phil Foden, Riyad Mahrez and Ilkay Gundogan can all operate further forward in their midfield three.
De Bruyne came off the bench against Arsenal as he continued return following World Cup
De Bruyne got 30 minutes under his belt and picked up a yellow card during the victory
De Bruyne – who is part of City’s five-man senior player committee - had explained to the BBC earlier in the day how he has matured under Guardiola.
‘I have grown into it, being a leader,’ he said. ‘When I came here I was not the player that I am now, I did not have the same view. I came from Germany, I didn't succeed before in England (with Chelsea).
‘When you do well, you train hard, you work hard, you get more leadership on the field. I try to do everything in my power to win the game. I am more relaxed than Vinny (Kompany) but I try to do everything to win.’
He had just been getting back to full fitness following his late return to the squad in the wake of Belgium's run to third place at the World Cup.
The 27-year-old came off the bench with 30 minutes to go at the Emirates on Sunday as his City side dispatched Arsenal with a comfortable 2-0 win.
De Bruyne mengalami cedera lutut saat latihan pada hari ini. Manchester City mengumumkan, playmaker Kevin De Bruyne akan menjalani scan pada cedera lutut yang dialaminya dalam latihan pada Rabu (15/8) hari ini.
De Bruyne sebenarnya kembali beraksi di babak kedua ketika City menang 2-0 atas Arsenal di laga pembuka Liga Primer Inggris pada akhir pekan lalu, setelah ia mendapat perpanjangan liburan dari Piala Dunia 2018.
Sempat muncul kabar pada awal hari ini kalau pemain asal Belgia itu mengalami kerusakan ligamen, yang hampir pasti ia akan absen sedikitnya hingga Tahun Baru, namun pihak The Citizens akan menunggu sampai tes lebih lanjut dilakukan sebelum mengonfirmasi berita. Terkait
"Kevin De Bruyne sedang menjalani tes di lutut kanannya setelah mengalami cedera di latihan pada Rabu ini. Lamanya masalah belum diketahui dan kami akan memberikan kepada Anda perkembangan lebih lanjut tentang kondisi Kevin pada waktunya," demikian pernyataan City.
De Bruyne, yang mencetak 12 gol dan membuat 21 assist di berbagai ajang kompetisi pada musim lalu, absen di 12 pertandingan setelah mengalami cedera lutut di bagian kanannya pada Januari 2016. Artikel dilanjutkan di bawah ini
