Is Kevin De Bruyne playing today? Man City teams news vs Bournemouth
Manchester City know only ruthless consistency will see them retain their Premier League title amid serious competition from current leaders Arsenal.
Pep Guardiola's side undid the good work of beating the Gunners at the Emirates by dropping points at Nottingham Forest, while they weren't at their fluent best in the Champions League either, drawing 1-1 with RB Leipzig in Germany.
Kevin De Bruyne was absent for the trip to Germany, with Guardiola revealing the Belgian had come down with illness alongside defender Aymeric Laporte.
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Why did Kevin De Bruyne miss the RB Leipzig draw?
City's preparations for the trip to RB Leipzig were disrupted by De Bruyne coming down with illness alongside centre back Laporte.
“Kevin and Laporte [are missing through] illness," Guardiola revealed before the game. "They are not ready for tomorrow.
"It is what it is. During the season, unfortunately sometimes that happens.
"He [De Bruyne] didn’t feel good right after the game against Nottingham. Yesterday Aymer didn’t feel well.
"Other players are going to play. That happens sometimes."
Is Kevin De Bruyne playing today?
Guardiola gave a more positive update on De Bruyne's chances of playing at Bournemouth in Saturday's 17:30 GMT kick off when previewing the fixture in his press conference.
"We have training this afternoon, I think Kevin is back in training, Aymer I don't think so," the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss said.
"John maybe will do partial training. This is the info I had from the doctors this morning, I will know within the next hours.
"We will see. Maybe Kevin, but the other two, I don’t think so."
De Bruyne's return would be a large boost for a City side needing creative inspiration as they bid to close the gap on Premier League leaders Arsenal. However, the Gunners could be five points ahead by the time City kick off as they face Leicester at the King Power Stadium at 15:00 GMT.
City were frustrated by Nottingham Forest in a 1-1 draw, while Josko Gvardiol's equaliser meant the first leg of their last 16 tie with RB Leipzig in the Champions League ended in the same scoreline.
De Bruyne's return will undoubtedly help striker Erling Haaland, who despite scoring 26 Premier League goals this season has only struck the back of the net once in his last six games.