‘It’s not like I needed a break but I took it, to turn a disadvantage into an advantage,’ De Bruyne said. ‘When I reflect on my career, playing the last 10 years non-stop with a short break, maybe it was good for me to reset a little bit in a way and take care of myself.

‘I enjoyed it in a way. At the beginning it was a big blow but I knew I was going to be out for four or five months so after the first reaction I thought to myself I needed to work hard when I’m working and then I could enjoy the things that I’ve not been able to do with my family and friends.

Kevin De Bruyne made his long-awaited return from injury in Man City’s FA Cup win on Sunday

De Bruyne insists his forced break away from playing has allowed him to spend more time with his wife Michele (right) and his kids

The assist king has returned 👑@KevinDeBruyne is back to doing what he does back 🤝#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/QI0WQHpEnX

— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 7, 2024

‘I could go on holiday, which is never possible normally during the year. Maybe it was good to refresh a little bit. It was nice to bring my son and daughter to their practices and see their games. When you have three kids between three and seven, I’m basically a taxi driver.’

De Bruyne, who claimed that he struggles to enjoy watching football when injured, expects to be on the bench when City travel to Newcastle United on Saturday evening.

In the days that, City head for a week-long training camp in Abu Dhabi which Pep Guardiola believes will sharpen the Belgian up further.

City will be wary of De Bruyne breaking down again given his chequered recent history with hamstring issues.

He denied that the reason for the last problem, sustained on the opening weekend at Burnley, was a result of coming back took quickly after tearing a muscle in the Champions League final.

‘I feel good, the movements were good (against Huddersfield), I felt comfortable in what I was doing,’ he said.

‘That was the only thing I was really looking for. There will be moments I want to play every game but I know in the back of my mind I need to take care of myself.

De Bruyne, father to three children, is ready to call time on his second job as a taxi driver