As the family come to terms with the break in, De Bruyne has stepped up his recovery by returning to the training pitch with his City team-mates in Saudi Arabia.

The Belgian midfielder was seen smiling and in good spirits during the session. Guardiola will hope, given his side’s recent indifferent form, that his star playmaker can now accelerate his return.

Kevin De Bruyne trained with his Manchester City team-mates in Saudi Arabia on Monday

The Belgian midfielder has had a nightmare four months battling against a hamstring issue

De Bruyne (centre) appeared in good spirits during the session despite his family life distress

As well as De Bruyne, star striker Erling Haaland is with his team-mates in Saudi Arabia despite his recent injury concerns.

The striker was excluded from City’s squad at the weekend as they drew 2-2 with Crystal Palace.

 

De Bruyne’s return to first-team football has been expected for some time, especially after he was named in City’s squad for the tournament.

Belgian news outlet HLN said items had been taken from his house but no further details were available. The burglars used a stepladder to reach the first floor of the property in Bolderberg, Heusden-Zolder.

De Bruyne is with City on the trip despite his Belgian mansion being broken into on Saturday

Manchester City shared a photograph of their stars after they touched down in Saudi Arabia

Erling Haaland missed the weekend draw with Crystal Palace but got off the plane in Jeddah

De Bruyne bought the 70-acre property in 2015 and built a villa made of natural white stone, which was completed in February 2019.

The house features a swimming pool, jacuzzi and basketball court.

HLN said the De Bruyne family only use the property sporadically when they visit Belgium, spending most of their time in Wilmslow, Cheshire.

De Bruyne will be hoping to find his groove in a competition which European sides have overwhelming success in.

De Bruyne, his wife Michele and their three children weren’t at the house at the time of the raid

De Bruyne built the villa in his home country on a 70-acre plot of land he purchased in 2015

De Bruyne and his wife have previously filmed the property in social media videos

European clubs have won 15 of 18 editions in its modern iteration, with the last side from Brazil to claim the prize being Corinthians in 2012.

City could become the fourth English club to win the tournament after Manchester United, Liverpool, and Chelsea.

They kick off their Club World Cup campaign against Japanese outfit Urawa Red Diamonds on Tuesday at 6pm and hope to lift the trophy for the first time.

Pep Guardiola’s men only have to navigate that semi-final clash against the Asian Champions League winners to play in the showpiece match.

De Bruyne played in the FA Community Shield against Arsenal at the beginning of the season before being forced off in City’s Premier League opener against Burnley.

The hamstring issue required surgery and De Bruyne is only now closing in on a return to action.

The Belgian said of his injury: ‘I am doing really well and hoping to be back on the pitch soon’

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He said over the weekend: ‘It’s going really well. I had surgery – it was a big injury. But we’re getting closer – closer to the new year [his original return date].

‘I am doing really well and hoping to be back on the pitch soon. I want to be the best. [Ambition] just doesn’t stop. I want to be in the best team, I want to be the best player in the world. I still have motivation every day.

‘Even being out for four months, I have tried to find ways to change myself as a player so I can still do what I did before.

‘I am certain I will be fine once I am back on the pitch. I hope to just keep on playing good football and that is good enough.’