Manchester City confirm Kevin De Bruyne ruled out for three months with knee injury but will not require surgery

De Bruyne sustained lateral collateral ligament damage to his right knee in training on Wednesday

Kevin De Bruyne is expected to be out for up to three months after suffering a knee ligament injury.

The Manchester City midfielder sustained lateral collateral ligament damage to his right knee in training on Wednesday.

Medical assessments in Barcelona on Thursday revealed that De Bruyne does not require surgery on the problem.

However, the loss of De Bruyne for three months will come as a significant blow to Pep Guardiola in the opening stages of the new season.

De Bruyne will miss the start of City’s Champions League campaign and domestic fixtures against the likes of Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur.

A three-month lay-off is likely to also keep the 27-year-old out of the next Manchester derby, to be played at the Etihad on 11 November.

De Bruyne attended the premiere of City's new documentary series in central Manchester on Wednesday night, entering the venue on crutches.

The Belgium international flew to Barcelona on Thursday to be assessed by Ramon Cugat, a doctor who regularly works with City's injured players.