As managers start to utilise the depth of their first-team squads and introduce fresh legs into starting line-ups, the number of injuries was kept fairly minimal over the weekend. Unfortunately for City and Fantasy managers alike, a certain Argentine’s knee problems casts a shadow over plans for the festive period.
Aston Villa
Paul Lambert is sweating over the fitness of midfielder Ashley Westwood, who was stretchered off with a knee injury in yesterday’s win over Leicester. The Villa boss also has concerns over Tom Cleverley, who was replaced midway through the second half with a foot problem.
Leicester
Ritchie De Laet missed the trip to Villa Park due to illness, allowing Danny Simpson his first start at right-back for the Foxes. Top scorer Leonardo Ulloa notched his first goal since Gameweek 5 yesterday but was forced off at the break during the 2-1 loss at Villa due to a calf problem. After the match, Nigel Pearson explained his decision to withdraw the Argentine:
“In the challenge prior to half time he got a heavy knock with a follow-through and he didn’t fully recover from that, so we felt it was still important to still have the work rate out there with Nugent coming on for him.”
Man City
As Fantasy managers know only too well, Sergio Aguero was forced off early against Everton on Saturday evening due to a knee injury. Whilst Manuel Pellegrini has yet to make a statement since Saturday’s post-match briefing, unconfirmed reports last night suggest Aguero could miss the next month – or at least five Gameweeks, to you and me.
Initial reports suggested Fernandinho missed out through injury but further updates indicate the midfielder was simply rested from the squad to face Everton.
Newcastle
Rob Elliott has been ruled out until January with a thigh injury sustained in the weekend win over Chelsea. With first-choice stopper Tim Krul also sidelined, Jak Alnwick is poised for a stint between the sticks. Alan Pardew – who is without the suspended Steven Taylor – has also revealed skipper Fabricio Coloccini is, once again, an early injury doubt. Mehdi Abeid missed out with a recurrence of a toe problem against the Blues.
Stoke
Marc Wilson and Marko Arnautovic missed the Potters’ 3-2 home win over Arsenal with hamstring and groin problems respectively. Marc Muniesa was forced off after sustaining a hamstring injury, with post-match reports suggesting he could be sidelined for 10 days.
West Brom
Georgios Samaras missed the Baggies trip to Hull on Saturday due to illness, the club’s official Twitter feed has confirmed. After the match, Alan Irvine explained the reasons behind a couple of second-half withdrawals:
“I wanted to be as positive as possible with my changes but at half-time we had Stephane Sessegnon struggling with a tight calf and Victor Anichebe still troubled by his groin problem.”
West Ham
Carl Jenkinson is an early weekend worry for the Hammers. After serving up his second assist of the season, the right-back was forced off with a hamstring injury during the 3-1 win over Swansea.
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