Kevin de Bruyne is named in the 23-man Manchester City squad for the Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia this month.

According to FIFA’s latest announcement, Kevin De Bruyne has been named in Manchester City’s squad to attend the Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia later this month.

The Belgian has not appeared for The Citizens since undergoing surgery on a hamstring injury in August. He recently said his recovery is going well, but is expected to can only return to competition until early next year.

Previously, coach Pep Guardiola also confirmed similar information: “I really wanted to have him throughout the season but now Kevin is seriously injured and has to have surgery. Kevin said he will return at the beginning of the new year, because So hopefully this will be a happy new year for us.”

Kevin de Bruyne has been out of action for nearly 4 months. Photo: Getty.

The 32-year-old’s inclusion in City’s Club World Cup squad has raised hopes of an earlier-than-expected return, but Manchester Evening News confirmed that De Bruyne will travel with the squad as a striker. He is the captain, but he is not healthy enough to play in both matches.

This is also an opportunity for the Belgian star to return to training with the first team in the warm weather in Saudi Arabia.

City is the team representing Europe as the Champions League champion, and will participate in the Club World Cup from the semi-finals. They will play on December 19 against the winner of the match between Mexico’s Club Leon and Japan’s Urawa Reds.

There will then be a third-place play-off or final on December 22.

Man City squad for Club World Cup: Ederson, Stefan Ortega, Scott Carson, Kyle Walker, Josko Gvardiol, Manuel Akanji, Ruben Dias, John Stones, Nathan Ake, Sergio Gomez, Rico Lewis, Rodri, Kalvin Phillips, Mateo Kovacic, Matheus Nunes, Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, Oscar Bobb, Phil Foden, Jeremy Doku, Jack Grealish, Julian Alvarez, Erling Haaland.