The Treatment Table – Gameweek 8

Mauricio Pochettino is optimistic on Toby Alderweireld’s leg problem. Mark Hughes admits Stoke are managing Joe Allen’s ongoing injury issues, while Burnley await news on Steven Defour’s hamstring complaint.

Here’s a round up of the new injury concerns that cropped up over the weekend.

Toby Alderweireld

There appears to be fairly positive news surrounding the knee injury suffered by Toby Alderweireld in the 1-1 draw against West Bromwich Albion.

Reports suggest the Belgian may be fit to return against Leicester City in Gameweek 10, while Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino saidsaid the problem doesn’t appear as bad as first feared:

“We need to wait for the scan but we believe it’s not a big issue. He got a knock on his leg but it was better yesterday (Sunday) and today (Monday). We need to wait for the results of the scan but I hope it’s nothing too important.”

Missing Saturday’s trip would be a blow to Alderweireld’s 18.2% ownership in FPL, with Eric Dier likely to deputise against the Baggies this weekend.

The Belgian’s likely short-term absence is good news for those holding the likes of Kyle Walker, then, as Tottenham prepare to face Leicester City, Arsenal, West Ham and Chelsea in a four-match stretch over Gameweeks 10-13.

Joe Allen, Phil Bardsley

While Joe Allen has been in outstanding form for the Potters, Mark Hughes revealed they are having to be careful with the Wales international as they manage an ongoing hamstring issue.

Allen was replaced late in the second period, with his manager explaining the withdrawal was no more than a precaution:

“We have to be mindful he’s working exceptionally hard because that’s the kind of player he is and so injury-wise we are going to have to wrap him up, certainly early in the week, but if we can get him out on the pitch he’s going to have an outstanding season, we feel.”

Phil Bardsley limped off during Saturday’s 2-0 win over Sunderland, and is a doubt for this weekend’s trip to Hull.

Should the right-back be ruled out, either Geoff Cameron or Marc Muniesa may have to deputise at the KCOM Stadium.

Leighton Baines

Reports in the local press suggest the Everton left-back is doubtful for the weekend trip to Burnley.

Baines had missed Gameweek 6-7 with the problem but was passed fit for last weekend’s visit to Man City only to suffer a setback in training.

The Toffees have conceded just six times this term – only Spurs have shipped less – but with clashes against West Ham, Chelsea, Southampton and Man United also to follow over the next six, Baines’ 8.2% of FPL owners may decide to part company if he fails to make it for Turf Moor.

Steven Defour

The Belgian was forced off 41 minutes into Sunday’s match against Southampton with what appeared to be a hamstring injury, with Burnley manager Sean Dyche revealing he is unsure on when we can expect to see the midfielder back in action:

“I don’t know yet, it’s too early to say. I think it’s a hamstring, so it’s too early to tell the severity.”

Youngster Aiden O’Neill replaced Defour in midfield against Saints, and while Dyche revealed he had no idea on whether Defour would be fit to face Everton on Saturday, he admitted O’Neill benefitted hugely from making another Premier League appearance:

“I’ve no clue (for Everton). That’s not ideal but, on the other hand, it gave young Aiden (O’Neill) another chance. He’s 18 and doing a really good job, and maturing nicely. It will do him no harm at all, even in tough circumstances like that. It’s part of your growth as a player.”

Dyche may have no concerns about starting O’Neill against the Toffees then should Defour be ruled out, with Scott Arfield perhaps another option to join Dean Marney and Jeff Hendrick in central midfield for the Clarets.

Max Gradel, Brad Smith, Lewis Cook and Harry Arter

Of the four players, it’s Lewis Cook who according to Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe is the most likely to spend an extended period on the sidelines.

Howe revealed that Cook suffered an ankle injury while on international duty for England U20s, with the club awaiting information surrounding the exact timescale of the injury once the youngster sees a specialist.

Brad Smith suffered a foot injury while playing for Australia during the international break, with Howe again unsure on how long the injury would keep the left-back out for:

“Brad took a nasty whack on the top of his foot so we’re not sure how long he’s going to be out.”

The Cherries boss sounded more hopeful on Max Gradel’s hamstring injury, though, saying, “we don’t think it’s serious.”

Of the most concern would have been the sight of Harry Arter leaving the Vitality Stadium on crutches following Saturday’s 6-1 win over Hull City after feeling the effects of a first-half challenge from Robert Snodgrass.

The Republic of Ireland international did carry on and complete the full 90 minutes, though, despite the whack on the knee, perhaps suggesting the problem won’t rule him out of Saturday’s home clash against Tottenham Hotspur.

Were Arter to be ruled out against Spurs, Dan Gosling would be the obvious replacement in the Bournemouth midfield.

Branislav Ivanovic, John Obi Mikel, Oscar and Cesc Fabregas

In the aftermath of Chelsea’s 3-0 win against Leicester City, the club’s official website explained the absences of Branislav Ivanovic, John Obi Mikel, Oscar and Cesc Fabregas. Ivanovic, Mikel and Fabregas missed the match due to “minor muscle injuries”, while Oscar was unavailable due to a serious family illness.

Given how well the Blues played last Saturday, it’s unlikely any of the four players will push for starting spots against Man United on Sunday even if they are passed fit, with places among the substitutes more realistic.

Andrew Robertson

Hull City were dealt a huge blow following Saturday’s 6-1 defeat to Bournemouth with the news that left-back Andrew Robertson is set to be sidelined for up to eight weeks after suffering a calf injury.

Tigers boss Mike Phelan doesn’t look to have many options to replace the Scotland international, with one of Sam Clucas, Harry Maguire or even David Meyler perhaps having to fill in at left back.

Nampalys Mendy

The Leicester City midfielder has had to undergo surgery on an ankle injury, and is set to be ruled out for up to five weeks, according to his manager Claudio Ranieri:

“Mendy was unlucky. In the last training session he had a little fracture of the bone. I think today (Monday) he is in surgery just to clean this little fragment of bone out. It depends how long, it could be four weeks or five weeks. I don’t know.”

The Italian is expected to continue with Danny Drinkwater and Daniel Amartey as his first choice partnership in central midfield then, with Andy King also likely to see plenty of playing time as Ranieri looks to juggle the demands of Premier League and Champions League campaigns.

Anthony Martial, Morgan Schneiderlin

Both Anthony Martial and Morgan Schneiderlin were ruled out of the trip to Anfield after picking up injuries in training last Saturday.

The club’s official website suggests the pair were both nursing knocks, so with Man United playing Fenerbahce in the Europa League on Thursday night before travelling to Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday, we may get an update on their fitness in Jose Mourinho’s pre-match press conference tomorrow.

Patrick van Aanholt

The Dutch left-back was forced off against Stoke City last weekend due to an adductor injury. The defender, who is owned by 4.9% of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) bosses, is now doubtful for Saturday’s trip to West Ham.

Should Van Aanholt be ruled out, Sunderland manager David Moyes may use Javier Manquillo at left-back, with Billy Jones, who replaced Van Aanholt on Saturday, starting at right-back. Donald Love is another option for Moyes in the full back positions.

Modou Barrow

The Gambian winger was one of the stand-out performers in Swansea City’s 3-2 defeat to Arsenal. But Barrow was forced off with an ankle injury that he picked up in the challenge which saw Granit Xhaka sent off for violent conduct.

Speaking to the club’s official website, Barrow revealed he was also suffering from cramp, which was perhaps the reason he could no longer continue, along with the fact he was already having to manage an existing ankle problem before Saturday’s 3-2 defeat:

“I have been having treatment on my ankle for a while. It felt much better on Saturday, but I got a kick in the same place during the game. I tried to continue, but I got some cramp as well. I tried to be positive and work for the team until the end, but in the last few minutes I could not do that.”

It appears Barrow should have a good chance of recovering in time for Saturday’s home clash against Watford, and with Jefferson Montero also dealing with an ankle injury, and Nathan Dyer a long-term absentee, new Swansea manager Bob Bradley will be desperate to have Barrow available to face the Hornets.

Matt Targett

Targett picked up a hamstring injury during the first-half of Sunday’s 3-0 win against Burnley, and isn’t expected to travel for Thursday night’s Europa League match against Inter Milan.

Sam McQueen replaced Targett against the Clarets, and may have to deputise for the England U21 against Man City in the Premier League on Sunday too should Targett be ruled out, with Ryan Bertrand’s hamstring injury appearing worse than first feared. With Cedric Soares also remaining sidelined for the Etihad encounter, the Saints’ chances of keeping out Pep Guardiola’s side look increasingly unlikely.