Chelsea were without a trio of injured players for yesterday’s trip to United. Everton have worries in the centre of the park, Mousa Dembele is doubtful again for Spurs, whilst West Ham are hopeful on a weekend return for Dimitri Payet. Here’s the latest from yesterday’s matches..
Arsenal
Mathieu Flamini missed the Gunners win over Bournemouth with a minor ankle problem, according to Arsene Wenger. The Arsenal boss also played down Kieran Gibbs’ late withdrawal:
“He [Flamini] might be alright. I could have pushed him but he was a little risk so I decided not to take it because it was an inflamed ankle.”
Aston Villa
Remi Garde was without Jores Okore for the trip to Norwich due to a knee problem:
“His knee was injured. I don’t know how serious. As the game took place very soon after the last one, he had a swollen knee and couldn’t play.”
Chelsea
Gary Cahill missed the trip to United with a foot problem, Guus Hiddink has confirmed, whilst Cesc Fabregas was sidelined due to illness. Loic Remy was unavailable due to a calf complaint.
Crystal Palace
Damien Delaney missed the Eagles’ clash with Swansea after picking up a knock in the weekend draw at Bournemouth.
Everton
James McCarthy returned to action from a groin problem but lasted less than half an hour before suffering a recurrence of the injury. Roberto Martinez has further concerns in the centre of the park after McCarthy’s replacement, Tom Cleverley, was also forced off:
“To lose Tom Cleverley through injury and to get a reaction, a flare up from James McCarthy is a real negative. It was a blow to lose James so early. We felt we needed an extra energy and you saw that with his impact in with the assist for the first goal. Tom then felt his Achilles tendon and we will have to assess it. He tried to stay on as long as he could. He played the pass for Romelu Lukaku for the second goal but he had to come off. He made a really big impact when he came on and he was playing a massive role.”
Newcastle
Steve McClaren was forced to make a last-minute change to his XI for yesterday’s trip to West Brom after Rob Elliot dropped to the bench due to illness. Vurnon Anita was replaced late on after sustaining a hamstring injury, with McClaren fearing the problem is “a bad one”.
Swansea
Federico Fernandez (foot) and Wayne Routledge (knock) were both unavailable for the Swans’ trip to Selhurst Park yesterday.
Tottenham
Mousa Dembele was withdrawn just before the break against Watford yesterday due to a recurrence of his ongoing ankle problem. After the 2-1 win, Mauricio Pochettino went on to say:
“We need to wait and assess him tomorrow. We hope it’s not too bad. Maybe one week, two weeks.”
West Brom
Victor Anichebe was forced off with a hamstring problem late on during the Baggies home win over Newcastle. Jonas Olsson was withdrawn during the first half with a similar complaint, though Tony Pulis remains optimistic on the duo ahead of the weekend derby with Stoke:
“Vic is a top player. He showed that today. They just couldn’t handle him and he did very well. Fingers crossed he and Jonas will be ok for the Stoke game – it’s been suggested that it might just be cramp. Hopefully it won’t be any more.”
West Ham
Nikica Jelavic was sidelined for yesterday’s win over Southampton with a knee injury. Enner Valencia was forced off with a knee problem late on and James Collins picked up an ankle knock but chairman David Gold expects both to make the weekend clash with Liverpool.
In further positive news, Gold says he is “hopeful” that Dimitri Payet could play some part against the Merseysiders this weekend.
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