We take a look at the injuries picked up over the weekend in our Monday afternoon regular. United and Spurs have cause for concern, while Sam Allardyce has worries in defence ahead of tonight’s trip to Sunderland:
Cardiff
Fabio was replaced during the first-half of the Bluebirds’ 3-3 draw at West Brom through injury, according to reports in the local press.
Everton
Ross Barkley started for the third match in succession yesterday but was forced off at the break with a calf complaint. In an interview with the Toffees official website, Roberto Martinez would only reveal:
“Ross had a knock on his calf halfway through the first half. With these soft tissue injuries, someone like Ross doesn’t think it will affect him and he wanted to run it off. He had to come off.”
Man United
David Moyes confirmed Rafael was forced off with a knock in Saturday’s win over Villa, whilst Antonio Valencia missed out with a knee problem:
“With Rafael, it’s an injury and we need to check it out. “Valencia had a bit of tendinitis in his knee, which is why he wasn’t involved. He was probably one I would have put to full-back if we had lost one, so we knew we’d be short if that was the case. The young boy Guillermo Varela might have got on the bench but he was injured as well so we had to juggle it around. We have injuries but we will probably know more about them tomorrow. I’ve just got to hope that Rafa’s injury isn’t too bad.”
Norwich
Joseph Yobo missed the 3-0 loss at Swansea after picking up a calf problem in training, though Chris Hughton remains optimistic the centre-half will be available for next weekend’s vital home clash with West Brom.
Tottenham
Jan Vertonghen lasted just 24 minutes of yesterday’s defeat at Anfield before limping off with ankle injury, Tim Sherwood confirmed post-match. Roberto Soldado also picked up a hamstring injury in the 4-0 defeat at Anfield, with both players set to be assessed later in the week. Paulinho missed the Merseyside encounter with conjunctivitis.
West Ham
Sam Allardyce has worries at centre-half for this evening’s trip to Sunderland. The Hammers boss has ruled James Collins out of the Black Cats showdown, though is optimistic on a trio of alternatives:
“James Collins doesn’t have a chance as he’s pulled a calf muscle. James Tomkins got a bad knock which we’re looking at and we’ll wait until Sunday, but we think he’s going to be OK. Roger Johnson got a big lump under his eye and we were worried that he might have slightly fractured the bone, but he hasn’t. We should have Winston Reid back from illness.”
10 years, 27 days agoa) get a mid for 6.2 or less (not from Everton, Cardiff or Sunderland) and have enough for a straight swap from Sturridge to Kun next week if needed (or Flanagan to Demichelis if Kun isn't fit)
b) get Eriksen and find 0,2 for Kun from elsewhere (possibly from Flanagan to Chester)