There were a string of injuries, bookings and suspensions coming out of yesterday’s games. Here’s a round-up with links to the latest. You’ll find all this has filtered through to the injuries and bans table a per usual….
Alex and Malouda both picked up hamstring injuries at the Cottage and both were withdrawn in the first half.
Onuoha picked up an injury in the second-half of the game at Ewood. Details on the injury remain vague at the time of writing.
Wigan lost Heskey to a hamstring injury on 33 minutes. Early reports suggest that he could face a month on the sidelines, which will be interesting considering his future at Wigan is in doubt. It will also make Henri Camara a decent option up front if confirmed. Wigan also lost keeper Kirkland in the warm-up for the match to a groin injury – there’s no word on his prognosis right now but he will surely sit out of the FA Cup tie on Friday.
Newcastle’s injury concerns continue. Nicky Butt picked up a hamstring problem and was replaced on 56 minutes against Liverpool and Enrique also suffered a further hamstring injury and was subbed at half-time.
Richard Hughes aggravated his ongoing groin injury against Arsenal and was subbed on the 50 minute mark. Pompey also lost Bouba Diop who picked up a twisted knee late on and was subbed in the 90th minute. He is due scans early this week and there is a suggestion of medial ligament damage which could sideline him for about six weeks. Big problems for Tony Adams then considering the fixtures ahead.
West Brom’s Zuiverloon was replaced on 72 minutes with a hamstring injury. At this stage the Baggies are hoping that he suffered cramp rather than a full hamstring strain.
Suspensions
Ireland picked up his fifth booking of the season at Blackburn and while he’ll be eligible for Saturday’s FA Cup tie with Forest, he’ll miss the next Premier League game at Portsmouth. A blow for his owners, although at least it’s not a potentially profitable home game.
Bolton’s Steinsson is due to serve a one match ban having hit the 5 yellow mark. He will be eligible for the FA Cup tie next Saturday but will miss the trip to the Emirates the following weekend.
Tottenham’s Jenas also picked up his fifth yellow. He will sit out the first leg of the Carling Cup semi at Burnley on Tuesday week so will be fine for the trip to Wigan in the Premier League.
Blackburn’s Ryan Nelsen was carrying a booking from the Carling Cup tie with United so his booking today took him on to 5 for the season. He will miss the FA Cup tie with Blyth Spartans on Monday so this won’t affect his availability for the next Premier League clash at Fulham.
Assou-Ekotto will face a 3-match ban, extended to 4 matches as he has already received a red card this season. He will miss Friday’s FA Cup tie, the Carling Cup tie with Burnley and the Premier League games at Wigan and at home to Portsmouth after he saw red for violent conduct at the Hawthorns. Is Gareth Bale worth a look?
Stoke’s Ricardo Fuller is another player facing a 3-match ban. He will miss games against Hartlepool in the FA Cup and Premier League encounters with Liverpool and Chelsea – some relief for fantasy owners of their defenders.
New entries on the suspension tightrope include Sunderland’s Bardsley and Malbranque, Abdoulaye Faye of Stoke and Zuiverloon of West Brom.
Finally, one correction on a suspension tightrope matter. Chelsea’s Ballack picked up his fourth booking of the season against West Brom on Boxing Day. He also received a yellow in the Carling Cup against Portsmouth earlier in the season, so Ballack will now miss Chelsea’s FA Cup tie with Southend and comes off the tightrope. Having said that, the FA are yet to confirm this on their site.