Schedule to Blame for De Bruyne Injury, says Guardiola

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Kevin de Bruyne’s injury is a product of Manchester City’s gruelling schedule, says manager Pep Guardiola.

The Belgian was forced off the pitch during the Sky Blues' 1-0 victory at Bournemouth on Saturday.

John Stones also left the pitch nursing an knock as the champions’ demanding recent fixture list took its toll on Guardiola’s high-flying squad.

And the manager worries that the expectations placed on his team are only going to take a higher physical toll as the season heads towards its climax.

"John, I think, is more a precaution, we'll see tomorrow,’ said Guardiola. “He was a little bit tight, he didn't feel good, and we didn't take risks. Hopefully it has not a big issue," he said.

"And Kevin has something with his hamstring. I don't know (how long he will be out), tomorrow we'll know exactly.

"But it's normal, my friends. We played 25 games in, I think, 93 days. It means every three days and a little bit more we play one game, so it's a physiological issue.

"These guys we demand play in that way every three days when the body is not already recovered, and of course sometimes the muscles say, 'hello, it's enough'."

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