The Belgian returned to first team action against Everton on Saturday, replacing Riyad Mahrez on 70 minutes.
With only two starts all season, De Bruyne admits he is playing catch up but is ready to help City continue to challenge for silverware on four fronts.
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“I just need some game time,” said De Bruyne.
“Against Everton, I came on and just ran for 20 minutes. I’m not looking to play a good game, just run without stopping.
“That gives me a good boost physically and lets me get my lungs open for the next game. I’ll work hard to get back as soon as possible but I don’t put pressure on myself.
“I’ve had two big injuries and I worked hard to be back, to play a little bit feels good, feels comfortable so that’s the main thing.”
The two different knee injuries are down to nothing more than bad luck, according the Blues’ playmaker who added: “There was nothing I can do - it was just two accidents. I’m happy with my body because I know I have no problems with muscles.
“They were both just accidents, the second time also. I felt my knee and it pops, so you just work hard and try to be back as soon as possible.
“I played the most of anyone last year - in the whole world. And I played the World Cup without a problem.
“I think the most important thing is having a summer break - if you have that you can feel okay, but there is always a time in someone’s career where you feel a bit less.
“But I felt all right, it was just a shame that when I came back after one week, I was out for two-and-a-half months. I was happy to come back and worked really hard but after three games it happened again. So, I think it’s part of your career and in the end it’s just the way it is.
“I think in general people need a good summer break, sometimes we play for 11-and-a-half months at a time and there is not enough time to rest.
“I had a rest of about three weeks - after 12 months of playing. Is that short? Probably, yes. But I felt okay to come back. It’s not a lot to say, I came back and trained and was out after one week – it’s just the way it goes.”
De Bruyne says his team-mates have done superbly well in his absence and hopes they will be happy to see him return at such a crucial stage of the campaign.
“It always helps to have players come back,” he said.
“They did brilliantly without me, but I’m sure they’ll be happy that I’m back.
“They have had to manage with the players who are there and unfortunately, sometimes players are out. The guys did brilliantly and now I’ll try to be at my top level to help them out.
“We do what we always do. We’ve won the most of the games like we did last year, and we are there with the top teams.
“The others have been better than last year so that’s why it’s closer.
“People say it’s good timing but there’s always many games from September onwards - unless you get out of some cup competitions.
“It’s two games a week and that doesn’t really change. It’s a busy period because everyone plays. Then after Christmas, it’s just people who are playing Europe.
“At the moment, it’s just busy for everyone.
“We did really smartly by buying young players who can get better.
“We’ve a squad of 21 or 22 players and it doesn’t matter who plays - they have regular games in the team.
“We are fully there for the four trophies. You know you are going to get injuries, but you hope to keep them as few as possible.
“If you want to try to win the lot, you need as many of your players fit to do that.”
