Manchester City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne is targeting a return to full training by the end March after damaging his knee ligaments last month.
De Bruyne, who joined the Premier League club from VfL Wolfsburg for a club record fee in August, is City’s second-highest scorer behind Sergio Aguero, with 12 goals in all competitions this season.
"I hope to be back training with the squad in five weeks, after the international break at the end of March," the 24-year-old told the club website (www.mcfc.co.uk).
“Everything’s going according to plan. I’ve already been working cautiously for four weeks now: doing some squats, training my muscles. Now the brace is off, the real work is about to begin.”
The Belgium international is optimistic he can help the club challenge for both the Premier League and Champions League titles and was frustrated to miss out on the League Cup final win over Liverpool on Sunday.
“I hate sitting in the stands,” he said.
“It’s a weird feeling to miss a final, but I’m really happy we’ve won. ... We still have two leagues to go for. I really can’t complain.”
City are fourth in the Premier League table, nine points behind leaders Leicester City, and have a 3-1 advantage over Dynamo Kiev going into the second-leg of their last-16 Champions League tie in two weeks.
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Based: Masdar City, ADGM, London and Delaware
Launch year: 2017
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Sector: Renewable energy
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White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
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It’ll be summer in the city as car show tries to move with the times
If 2008 was the year that rocked Detroit, 2019 will be when Motor City gives its annual car extravaganza a revamp that aims to move with the times.
A major change is that this week's North American International Auto Show will be the last to be held in January, after which the event will switch to June.
The new date, organisers said, will allow exhibitors to move vehicles and activities outside the Cobo Center's halls and into other city venues, unencumbered by cold January weather, exemplified this week by snow and ice.
In a market in which trends can easily be outpaced beyond one event, the need to do so was probably exacerbated by the decision of Germany's big three carmakers – BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi – to skip the auto show this year.
The show has long allowed car enthusiasts to sit behind the wheel of the latest models at the start of the calendar year but a more fluid car market in an online world has made sales less seasonal.
Similarly, everyday technology seems to be catching up on those whose job it is to get behind microphones and try and tempt the visiting public into making a purchase.
Although sparkly announcers clasp iPads and outline the technical gadgetry hidden beneath bonnets, people's obsession with their own smartphones often appeared to offer a more tempting distraction.
“It's maddening,” said one such worker at Nissan's stand.
The absence of some pizzazz, as well as top marques, was also noted by patrons.
“It looks like there are a few less cars this year,” one annual attendee said of this year's exhibitors.
“I can't help but think it's easier to stay at home than to brave the snow and come here.”
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