Manchester City’s players are becoming frustrated by the constant fouls and reckless tackles aimed at them, according to Kevin De Bruyne.

The Belgian was on the end of a wild lunge from West Brom midfielder James McClean during City’s 3-0 midweek stroll at the Etihad Stadium that saw them move 15 points clear at the top of the Premier League standings.

Leroy Sane is set to miss up to seven weeks following a dreadful tackle in the FA Cup victory over Cardiff City recently while De Bruyne himself was fortunate to escape injury after horror challenges from Tottenham’s Dele Alli and Jason Puncheon of Crystal Palace.

“Sometimes it gets frustrating for us. A lot of teams are making a lot of fouls against us,” De Bruyne said.

“We make a foul, we get a yellow card – I don’t know how it’s possible sometimes. I know sometimes there are tactical fouls but it’s just the way it is.”

De Bruyne revealed that referee Bobby Madley had told him McClean’s challenge was not worthy of a red card although that was only down to the fact that he spotted the Albion midfielder coming.

“Let’s just say the ball was not in the neighbourhood,” De Bruyne said of McClean’s challenge.

“The referee told me he didn’t touch me good enough to get the red card but obviously I told him: ‘I saw the guy, I was jumping.’

“I don’t know what they are thinking – you can also pull a shirt, that’s more effective than a tackle.”

City are 1.29 to get another three points at Burnley on Saturday, with De Bruyne 7.00 to net the opening goal of the game against the Clarets.