Pep Guardiola explains why fit-again Kevin De Bruyne is on the bench for Man City's clash against Newcastle

De Bruyne is back in the squad for the first time since August, having been out with a hamstring injury he sustained in his team's first Premier League game of the season. De Bruyne made his return when he came off the bench to feature against Huddesfield in the FA Cup last week and Guardiola named the attacking midfielder among the substitutes yet again on Saturday.

Asked if he was tempted to put De Bruyne in the starting XI, Guardiola said on TNT Sports: "It was an option. I thought about it. Five months injured, basically... Five months is a lot of time. This is a tough place to come and the intensity they play, I preferred not to play 90 minutes for Kevin."

Guardiola opted to play Phil Foden in attacking midfield instead of De Bruyne. The 23-year-old England star has been in excellent form for the reigning world, European and English champions. He has scored four goals in his last four games and set up both goals in their 2-0 win against Sheffield United.

City have won their last five matches in all competitions and will hope to make it six in a row when they come up against Newcastle. The reigning Premier League champions head into the game in third place in the table, five points behind leaders Liverpool.