The Belgium playmaker was named in City’s XI to host Watford on Tuesday, just three days after being carried from the Selhurst Park pitch on a stretcher having been felled by Puncheon’s rash lunge.
De Bruyne was initially taken off with his leg in a brace but was later seen hobbling down the touchline with the support of City’s medical staff.
In the aftermath of that 0-0 draw, Pep Guardiola urged the need for referees to protect the players, and the Catalan will have been relieved to be able to select De Bruyne in his XI to face the Hornets at the Etihad Stadium.
De Bruyne’s availability will come as a huge boost for City, who lost Gabriel Jesus to a knee ligament injury at Palace.
David Silva also returned for City - the Spaniard having played just one of the last five games due to personal reasons - while John Stones came back into the starting XI after missing the last 12 matches due to a hamstring injury.
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