A rejuvenated and refreshed Kevin De Bruyne says he is getting better and better, game by game, as Manchester City gear up for the decisive last third of the season.

The Belgian midfielder has returned to action after a near five-month injury lay-off in quite majestic fashion. A goal and two assists in Wednesday’s 3-1 Champions League last 16 first leg win at FC Copenhagen was just the latest demonstration of his world class ability with De Bruyne deservedly taking another man of the match award.

“I’m getting to where I need to be,” De Bruyne asserted, adding: “I feel good and I’m happy to be back in the Champions League.I still need to get a bit of the rhythm – game by game – but the club, the manager, the medical department and I are managing it really good.

“I feel I’m getting better and better. I know I can get better. I just have to keep working and help the team. It [the injury] was a big blow in the summer, but I tried to change the disappointment to something positive and looking back at it now it was nice to have a reset.

“In a way, it was good to reset my body and my mind – maybe it can help me in the future.”

Tuesday’s wonderful display in the Danish capital made it 11 wins in a row for City across all competitions.