‘This is what we have to be careful with, with his minutes at first. What Kevin needs is to accumulate weeks of training and minutes. Weeks and weeks. A setback would be the worst.’

City have been without other star performers in recent weeks. Jeremy Doku’s hamstring issue has cleared up, while Erling Haaland has trained with the team after a foot problem.

Kevin De Bruyne is set to return to Man City’s line-up for their FA Cup tie against Huddersfield

The player was back on the City bench for their festive tie against Sheffield United last month

Pep Guardiola stressed how important it will be to make sure the midfielder is not overplayed

City have been without other star performers in recent weeks. Jeremy Doku’s hamstring issue has cleared up, while Erling Haaland has trained with the team after a foot problem.

The Treble winners are planning for a week-long warm-weather camp in Abu Dhabi in the days following next week’s trip to Newcastle United, where the trio can continue reintegrating into the squad.

Guardiola stressed that he must be focused on medical advice rather than the player’s desire to feature.

The Catalan added: ‘There is enthusiasm in the first minutes, “Wow, I’m going to play”. You have to careful with that. You have to speak with him but especially with his doctors, physios and the guys who knows what the minutes should be and the best processes.’

City are likely to have a number of absentees at the start of their FA Cup defence. Rodri has flown back to Madrid following the death of his grandmother, although he has been given the option of playing if he wishes, while four others have failed to train this week with a virus.

Bernardo Silva, Matheus Nunes and Scott Carson have all been absent alongside Kalvin Phillips, whose loan interest from Juventus has not yet materialised into a departure despite talks taking place. The likes of youngster Oscar Bobb are hoping for a chance to impress from the start.

And Guardiola revealed that the club had held talks with their stars about security measures at home before Jack Grealish became the latest footballer to be targeted over Christmas.

Grealish saw £1million worth of jewellery stolen by intruders during City’s victory at Everton over Christmas – the latest in a line of those who have suffered break ins.

City’s head of security, Barry South, presented to the players last year to warn of the dangers circling the region.

The Manchester City boss insisted that his side wanted to avoid a recurrence of the Belgian’s injury

Man City players have been given security measures by the club after Jack Grealish became the latest Premier League star to be targeted by burglars

Grealish, his girlfriend Sasha Attwood, and his family were in the house when burglars broke in