Premier League health check after international break as Arsenal suffer new blow (original) (raw)
The first international break of the season is finally over, meaning fans of Premier League clubs can begin to look forward to the return of domestic football this weekend. But what shape are the sides in?
With players having pulled out of playing for their countries, others not even going at all and some sustaining problems while they were away - we're looking at you, Martin Odegaard - we've taken a look at how all 20 top-flight sides are shaping up ahead of their return to action.
With the help of the excellent Premier Injuries website and our own information, here's the Premier League health check.
Arsenal
The Gunners are waiting on a scan on the ankle injury Martin Odegaard picked up on Monday night but he's extremely unlikely to face Tottenham on Sunday, with the blow coming with Declan Rice also out through suspension. Riccardo Calafiori suffered a calf issue on Italy duty.
Unavailable: Mikel Merino (Shoulder), Takehiro Tomiyasu (Knee), Kieran Tierney (Thigh), Declan Rice (Suspended)
Doubtful: Gabriel Jesus (Groin), Martin Odegaard (Ankle), Riccardo Calafiori (Calf)
Aston Villa
Matty Cash is still a couple of weeks away from returning from the thigh problem he picked up against Arsenal, while Tyrone Mings and Boubacar Kamara are targeting next month to come back from long-term knee injuries.
Unavailable: Boubacar Kamara (Knee), Tyrone Mings (Knee), Matty Cash (Thigh), Diego Carlos (Other), Leon Bailey (Hamstring)
Doubtful: Jaden Philogene-Bidace (Other)
Matty Cash picked up a thigh problem against Arsenal (
Image:
PA)
Bournemouth
Turkish forward Enes Unal had surgery on a foot injury in the summerand is hopeful of returning by the end of the month to boost Andoni Iraola's attacking ranks.
Unavailable: Enes Unal (Ankle), Tyler Adams (Back)
Doubtful: Philip Billing (Back)
Brentford
The Bees have missed impressive left-back Rico Henry for the past year after his knee injury, but a player who had been on the fringes of the England squad is now on the cusp of a return.
Unavailable: Josh Dasilva (Knee), Igor Thiago (Knee), Aaron Hickey (Thigh)
Doubtful: Rico Henry (Knee), Kristoffer Ajer (Ankle)
Brighton
Injuries have quietly been piling up for Brighton, who lost James Milner last time out at Arsenal, but left-back Ferdi Kadioglu could come in for his debut at home to Ipswich on Saturday.
Unavailable: Solly March (Knee), Matt O'Riley (Ankle), James Milner (Thigh)
Doubtful: Brajan Gruda (Other), Mats Wieffer (Other), Ferdi Kadioglu (Thigh), Joel Veltman (Thigh)
Chelsea
Cole Palmer missed England duty but he is expected to be fit for Chelsea's trip to Bournemouth on Saturday, while Enzo Maresca will be hopeful that Romeo Lavia can return from his thigh issue.
Unavailable:Reece James (Thigh), Malo Gusto (Thigh), Omari Kellyman (Thigh)
Doubtful: Romeo Lavia (Thigh)
Available: Cole Palmer (Groin)
Cole Palmer missed out on the England squad (
Image:
Offside via Getty Images)
Crystal Palace
Palace are hopeful Adam Wharton will be able to return on Saturday at home to Leicester after he missed out on the England squad, while Rob Holding is currently training away from the first-team.
Unavailable: Matheus Franca (Chest), Chadi Riad (Knee), Rob Holding (Club decision)
Doubtful: Adam Wharton (Groin)
Everton
Seamus Coleman had to be substituted in the Republic of Ireland's defeat to England after he tangled with Harry Maguire, while the Toffees hope to have Jarrad Branthwaite back at the end of the month.
Unavailable: Armando Broja (Calf), Youssef Chermiti (Ankle), Nathan Patterson (Thigh), Jarrad Branthwaite (Groin), Dele Alli (Groin)
Doubtful: Seamus Coleman (Calf/Shin)
Fulham
The Whites currently have a clean bill of health, with no new injuries reported.
Ipswich
Both Nathan Broadhead and Wes Burns missed out on the Wales squad through injury, with Ipswich hopeful that winger Burns is close to a return after his hamstring issue in the defeat to Liverpool on the opening day of the season.
Unavailable: Harry Clarke (Calf), George Hirst (Knee), Nathan Broadhead (Thigh), Wes Burns (Thigh), Janoi Donacien (Groin)
Leicester
The Foxes are hopeful forward Patson Daka will be able to return in November, while goalkeeper Jakub Stolarczyk is out until the New Year.
Unavailable: Jakub Stolarczyk (Ankle), Patson Daka (Ankle)
Alexis Mac Allister came on for Argentina to face clubmate Luis Diaz and Colombia (
Image:
AFP via Getty Images)
Liverpool
Harvey Elliott is set for a spell on the sidelines after fracturing his foot on international duty. Elliott felt some discomfort and went for further assessment after returning to Liverpool. Initial hopes are suggesting he is targeting a return after the next international break in the middle of October.
Concerns emerged over Alexis Mac Allister's fitness while on international duty but the midfielder came on as a 64th minute substitute in Argentina's 2-1 defeat to Colombia and will be able to face Nottingham Forest, with Curtis Jones also likely to return to the squad.
Unavailable: Harvey Elliott (Fractured foot)
Doubtful: Federico Chiesa (Lack of match fitness)
Available: Curtis Jones (Other), Alexis Mac Allister (Groin)
Harvey Elliott fractured his foot while on England U21 duty (
Image:
Dave Howarth - CameraSport via Getty Images)
Manchester City
Phil Foden missed England duty with an illness but will be back for the home clash with Brentford at the weekend, while winger Savinho is carrying a knee injury and is being assessed. Netherlands defender Nathan Ake was carried off against Germany on Tuesday and will be assessed.
Unavailable: Oscar Bobb (Fractured leg)
Doubtful: Savinho (Knee), Nathan Ake (Muscle)
Available: Phil Foden (Illness)
Manchester United
United hope to have Rasmus Hojlund available again this month, but Victor Lindelof and Luke Shaw are the closest of their injured contingent to a return. Bruno Fernandes shrugged off concerns that he'd picked up a knock in Portugal's win over Scotland saying "it was just a little bump".
Unavailable: Leny Yoro (Foot), Tyrell Malacia (Knee), Mason Mount (Thigh), Rasmus Hojlund (Thigh), Victor Lindelof (Ankle), Luke Shaw (Calf)
Available: Bruno Fernandes (Ankle)
Bruno Fernandes has shrugged off injury fears (
Image:
Getty Images)
Newcastle
Defenders Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles are ruled out until the New Year, while Callum Wilson is closest to a return from his back problem. Fabian Schar will return from his ban for Sunday's game at Wolves.
Unavailable: Sven Botman (Knee), Jamaal Lascelles (Knee), Lewis Miley (Ankle), Callum Wilson (Back)
Doubtful: Joe Willock (Thigh), Emil Krafth (Knock)
Available: Fabian Schar (Return from suspension)
Nottingham Forest
Brazilian midfielder Danilo is Forest's only absentee ahead of their trip to Liverpool after his awful ankle injury on the opening day of the season.
Unavailable: Danilo (Ankle)
Southampton
Saints boss Russell Martin hopes to have forward Ross Stewart available for selection soon, but Saturday's clash with Manchester United may just come a little too soon for him and winger Kamaldeen Sulemana.
Unavailable: Gavin Bazunu (Calf)
Doubtful: Kamaldeen Sulemana (Ankle), Ross Stewart (Lack of match fitness)
Tottenham
Ange Postecoglou ruled Richarlison out for "a few weeks" prior to the defeat at Newcastle, but Micky van de Ven and Dominic Solanke should both feature against Arsenal after Postecoglou claimed both almost made the trip to St James' Park.
Unavailable: Richarlison (Other)
Available: Micky van de Ven (Knee), Dominic Solanke (Ankle)
Dominic Solanke missed Tottenham's defeat to Newcastle (
Image:
PA)
West Ham
Goalkeeper Alphonse Areola had to be taken off against Manchester City with a back problem and is being assessed ahead of Saturday's trip across London to Fulham.
Unavailable: Aaron Cresswell (Thigh)
Doubtful: Alphonse Areola (Back), Niclas Fullkrug (Calf)
Wolves
Midfielder Boubacar Traore has undergone knee surgery after coming off in the Carabao Cup win over Burnley, while defender Yerson Mosquera had to be substituted with an injury after scoring in Colombia's win over Argentina.
Unavailable: Enso Gonzalez (Knee), Sasa Kalajdzic (Knee), Boubacar Traore (Knee)
Doubtful: Yerson Mosquera (Unknown)
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