League leaders Man City have plenty to fret over this weekend, with Sergio Aguero, David Silva and Raheem Sterling all doubtful for Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Juventus. There’s worries in the red half of Manchester, too, after Wayne Rooney missed the 3-1 win over Liverpool with a hamstring complaint. Here’s our regular round-up of all the fresh arrivals onto the treatment table…
Crystal Palace
Damien Delaney is carrying a knock so was replaced by Brede Hangeland in the starting lineup against Manchester City, while Jason Puncheon was withdrawn at the 83-minute mark with a knock following a foul by Eliaquim Mangala.
Everton
Seamus Coleman and Muhamed Besic both sustained suspected hamstring injuries during Everton’s 3-1 win over Chelsea. Post-match, Roberto Martinez went on to say:
“We’ll have to assess Seamus and Mo and see how they are. But the important thing was that everyone who had to be alert and come on to the pitch was fully focused and I think the strength in the squad is starting to show now. Having those numbers helps you be consistent over the course of the season and clearly it showed today.”
Manchester City
Sergio Aguero was forced off at the 25-minute mark during Manchester City’s trip to Crystal Palace, having taken a strong blow to the knee from a crude challenge from Palace’s Scott Dann. Sky Blues boss Manuel Pellegrini implied that the Argentina international will be touch-and-go for their midweek Champions League tie against Juventus:
“It was an important kick on his knee. We’ll see if he can recover between now and Tuesday. It’s very difficult to say now. It’s important to see how he recovers. We’ll see.”
Aguero, meanwhile, took to Twitter last night to play down the seriousness of his withdrawal:
“Thanks everyone for your concern. I got a hard hit and it prevented me from playing more. It doesn’t seem to be a serious injury though.”
Earlier this evening, he gave another update on his condition:
“I had studies done today, to be completed tomorrow. We’ll have a clearer picture then”.
David Silva was ruled out of the Eagles clash by virtue of an ankle complaint, but Pellegrini is optimstic he’ll recover in time to face Juventus on Tuesday:
“Silva is out as I think it would be a risk for him to take another knock on his ankle. I hope he will be OK for Juventus.”
As for Raheem Sterling, the former Liverpool starlet is expected to shake of a minor hamstring injury:
“Raheem has a problem with his hamstring so I think it was a risk for him to play today. I hope he is 100% fit for Tuesday.”
Manchester United
Wayne Rooney was sidelined for the Red Devils’ 3-1 victory over Liverpool after suffering a hamstring problem in training. He is expected to miss their midweek tie against PSV Eindhoven, but Louis van Gaal believes he could be passed fit for their trip to Southampton next weekend:
“He is injured so we have to take care of him. I think he is very important for us and I don’t to take any risks so that’s why he doesn’t play today. I don’t think he will play against PSV Eindhoven, but maybe he shall play at Southampton. We have to wait and see if he can play against PSV because we still have three days to go.”
Stoke City
Jonathan Walters was not included in the Potters’ matchday squad at Arsenal due to a flare-up of his knee injury. Mark Hughes admitted that the Ireland international will undergo a scan in the coming days.
Tottenham
Nabil Bentaleb missed out against the Black Cats with an ankle injury and is expected to be ruled out for three to four weeks having suffered ligament damage.
Ryan Mason was involved in a heavy collision with Sunderland keeper Costel Pantilimon while he scored the winning goal. Mauricio Pochettino revealed after the match that Mason will undergo checks on Monday:
“We will assess Mason tomorrow. It was a big knock on the knee. It was a great goal and we showed how we try to play.”
West Bromwich Albion
Jonny Evans was taken off after 85 minutes against Southampton, although Tony Pulis later said that the new arrival likely just suffered cramping.
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