The Belgium international has begun kicking a ball again after picking up a knee injury in the Capital One Cup semi-final with Everton in January
Manchester City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne is edging closer to a return to first-team action after resuming training on Tuesday.
The Belgium international has been sidelined since injuring his knee in the second leg of his side's Capital One Cup semi-final with Everton in January.
Initial reports suggested De Bruyne would be out until April, but the fact that he is back on the training pitch is a major boost for Manuel Pellegrini's side.
City tweeted on Tuesday: ".@DeBruyneKev in training and kicking a ball again as he steps up schedule".
City have struggled in the Premier League in the former Chelsea man's absence, losing successive matches to Leicester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool to fall 10 points behind top spot.
Pellegrini will hope to have De Bruyne back for the run-in, with the Chilean still targeting glory in the Premier League and Champions League.
The Capital One Cup winners, who are now just one point ahead of fifth-placed West Ham United and three clear of rivals Manchester United, face Norwich City on Saturday.
- Goal