Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has warned Kevin De Bruyne to ease himself back in slowly following his return from injury.
Guardiola said the Belgian midfielder risks another spell on the sidelines if he pushes himself too much.
De Bruyne returned to training after three months out during the Club World Cup campaign in Saudi Arabia.
He made it to the substitutes’ bench for the 2-0 victory over Sheffield United on Saturday.
Ahead of Sunday’s FA Cup clash against Huddersfield, Guardiola said: “A big injury; what is concerned the most is to try and avoid a repeat.
“If the intention is ‘I want to play today’ you have to be careful. What Kevin needs (and every player with long injuries) is to accumulate weeks of training and minutes.
“A setback would be the worst. He’s so fresh and [full of] incredible desire, but you have to be careful.”
