Kevin De Bruyne has not started a match against City since mid-September (Image: Getty)
Pep Guardiola has insisted Kevin De Bruyne is 'close to' returning to Manchester City's starting XI, despite Gary Lineker's hints of a secret rift between the pair.
De Bruyne has not started a match for City since their Champions League opener against Inter Milan in mid-September, after picking up an injury in the 0-0 draw.
The talismanic midfielder finally returned to action against Sporting in early November, but has only been given appearances off the bench since – none of which lasted more than 30 minutes.
De Bruyne had raised his concerns ahead of City's clash with Feyenoord last week, saying the initial injury had worsened in the days and weeks following the Inter clash.
But given City are currently in the middle of a seven-match winless run, De Bruyne's continued absence from the starting XI has raised eyebrows.
Commenting on the Belgian's current form ahead of Wednesday's clash against Nottingham Forest, Guardiola said: “He is closer and even better. In recent days he is even better.”
Guardiola refused to say whether he would be included in City's starting line-up for the game against Forest.
It comes after speculation over Guardiola and De Bruyne's relationship was fueled by Lineker, who speculated there was a secret rift.
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Gary Lineker claimed there could be a rift between Guardiola and De Bruyne this week (Image: Getty)
Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, Lineker said: “De Bruyne has returned [vs Liverpool] there wasn't long left when the game was pretty much over. Yeah, he almost scored a goal because of [Virgil] van Dijk, but is there something going on there, in your opinion? Because he's been coming for five or ten minutes, what, about a month now?
“You would imagine he's getting fit again, although I've seen them both – Pep Guardiola and De Bruyne – make some interesting statements during the week, where it seems like all is not well between these two -there? I don't know. I don't have any inside information.
Many questions remain unanswered regarding De Bruyne's future at City, including where the 33-year-old will play his football next season.
De Bruyne is out of contract at the end of the campaign and revealed last week that no negotiations had yet taken place.
Asked if he would consider sitting down with the club's hierarchy, De Bruyne replied: “Honestly, I don't know.”
“At the start of the season I knew discussions would take place, but then [injury] arrived. It was supposed to last a few days, then it lasted eight, nine weeks. I put everything aside.”
City go in search of their first win since late October when they take on Forest at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday evening.
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1983969/pep-guardiola-kevin-de-bruyne-man-city-gary-lineker