(Reuters) - Manchester City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne is recovering ahead of schedule from a knee injury and hopes to return to action against rivals Manchester United in the Premier League in November.
The Belgium international, who scored eight goals and provided 16 assists in City's record-breaking league title triumph last season, picked up the injury in training last month.
De Bruyne said he could be back at training next month as he targets a return in time for the blockbuster Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium on Nov. 11.
"I still need three, four, five weeks, but I'm getting there," De Bruyne said at the launch of FIFA 19 on Thursday.
"Hopefully I can be back soon, help the team, and perform well. I'm hoping to be back after the next international break. I think I will be back for the derby."
City, currently third in the league standings with 13 points, visit promoted Cardiff City on Saturday.
(Reporting by Hardik Vyas in Bengaluru, editing by Nick Mulvenney)