MANCHESTER CITY fear Kevin de Bruyne could be ruled out until Christmas with a serious knee injury.

The Premier League champions are worried the Belgian playmaker has torn a lateral ligament in his knee and could be out for as much as four months.

4 Reports claim Kevin De Bruyne has severely injured his knee in training Credit: PA:Press Association

De Bruyne, 27, missed over two months of action - 12 games - after severely injuring his knee in a game against Everton in 2016 where he caught his studs in the turf, with reports suggesting he did the same today.

With Pep Guardiola's man off to Barcelona for treatment, he is expected to be out for at least two to three months and will definitely miss City's game against Huddersfield on Sunday.

Following the news, Man City released a statement, saying: "Kevin De Bruyne is undergoing tests on his right knee after sustaining an injury at training on Wednesday.

"The extent of the problem is not yet known and we will bring you further updates on Kevin's condition in due course."

Goals of the Round: Watch the best strikes from the opening weekend in the Premier League

4 Kevin De Bruyne seriously injured his knee against Everton in January 2016 Credit: PA:Press Association

4 Kevin De Bruyne could be set for a long stint on the sidelines Credit: Reuters

The news is a major blow for boss Pep Guardiola as City aim to defend their Prem title.

Guardiola opted not to sign a central midfielder in the summer after missing out on Jorginho, who joined Chelsea instead.

Yet had the Spaniard known about De Bruyne's injury he would have almost certainly entered the transfer market to bolster his midfield engine room.

De Bruyne, who starred for Belgium at the World Cup where they finished in third place after beating England, returned to club action as a second half substitute for the final half an hour in the opening weekend 2-0 win at Arsenal.

Kevin De Bruyne takes out Belgium team-mate Adnan Januzaj

4 Kevin De Bruyne could be out of action until November and beyond Credit: Getty

Kevin De Bruyne shares WhatsApp number linked to secret Nike advert starring Neymar, Philippe Coutinho and Ronaldinho

The star midfielder missed 12 games when he injured his right knee during an EFL Cup semi-final victory over Everton in 2016.

De Bruyne was City's player of the season last term, scoring 12 goals and providing 21 assists as his side won the Premier League and EFL Cup.