As always during international breaks, the treatment tables around the country tend to be that little bit busier as the knocks and niggles escalate. Once again, we scour the weekend’s match reports and press conferences and take stock on the latest batch of injury worries.
Aston Villa
Nathan Baker kept his place in the Villa XI despite the availability of Philippe Senderos away to West Ham on Saturday. The centre-half limped out of the proceedings midway through the second-half, however, with Paul Lambert going on to say:
“I thought Nathan was excellent. I really did. He put his head on everything and defended very strongly with Ron. It was a big performance from him and hopefully his knee is okay.”
Chelsea
Jose Mourinho started with both Ramires and Cesc Fabregas in midfield as the Blues came from behind to see off Liverpool at Anfield. The Brazilian was replaced just after the break, however, and, whilst Fabregas managed the full 90 minutes, their manager revealed both played through the pain barrier, with Mourinho expecting Fabregas to play no part in Spain’s upcoming internationals:
“Ramires and Fabregas both played injured. Maybe the team will lose them for a match or two now but they put themselves there for the team, like I am sure others will in the future because the spirit of the team is fantastic. Fabregas has a hamstring injury, Ramires is the same thing [groin] as before but he knew for my plan it was important for him to start the game. Fabregas is a fantastic professional and he gambled and I gambled. He can join up with Spain but if he does he will be back.”
Andre Schurrle has withdrawn from the Germany squad earlier today due to illness.
Everton
The Toffees have issues in central midfield after yesterday’s draw against Sunderland. Gareth Barry was stretchered off with a leg injury and, after the match, Roberto Martinez confirmed the former Villa man is set for x-rays:
“As he fell, Gareth is stretching his leg and he gets caught. He is having an X-ray on his tibia.””
Martinez also went on to reveal that James McCarthy picked up a hamstring injury against the Black Cats:
“It is a concern, he needs assessing and hopefully it is just fatigue.”
Hull
The injury worries in defence continued for Steve Bruce last weekend. Hull travelled to Burnley without the likes of Michael Dawson and Alex Bruce and, having made all three substitutions early in the second-half, the Tigers boss had to finish the match with 10 men after Curtis Davies was forced off through injury:
“Curtis has a back problem, but we’re not quite sure what at this stage.”
Manchester City
Edin Dzeko lasted just four minutes of the weekend draw at QPR before limping off with a calf injury. Benched yet again as Manuel Pellegrini rolled out a lone striker system, the Bosnian entered the proceedings on 64 minutes only to limp back down the tunnel just a few moments later. Dzeko has since withdrawn from the Bosnia squad earlier today, with reports earlier this evening suggesting he could be sidelined for three weeks.
Man United
Louis van Gaal confirmed that Paddy McNair was subbed off late on during United’s win over Palace due to cramp, allaying any fears of another injury concern for the Old Trafford outfit.
Newcastle
Steven Taylor missed yesterday’s win at West Brom due to injury, as Alan Pardew opted for Paul Dummett at centre-half alongside Fabricio Coloccini, despite the availability of fit-again Mike Williamson. The latter replaced the Argentine late in the second-half, however, after Coloccini was forced off with a knock on 78 minutes.
QPR
The R’s midfielder Sandro picked up yet another injury problem during the weekend draw with City. Having played the full 90 minutes just twice since arriving at Loftus Road, the Brazilian was replaced by Joey Barton at half-time after picking up a hamstring problem.
Southampton
Midfielder Steven Davis failed to make it to half-time in the weekend win over Leicester. After the match, Ronald Koeman was optimistic on the Northern Ireland international’s chances of a quick recovery:
“He had a little feeling in his hamstring and I hope it will not be really an injury, one or two weeks, but tomorrow we can make the scan and say something more about that.”
Stoke
Mark Hughes is sweating on the fitness of two of his first-choice back-four as we head into the international break, after both Phil Bardsley and Marc Wilson were forced off early during yesterday’s win at Spurs.
Swansea
Garry Monk was without a trio of players for the Swans’ 2-1 win over Arsenal yesterday. Centre-half Federico Fernandez was absent with a calf complaint, whilst wide men Wayne Routledge and Nathan Dyer were also unavailable due to groin injuries.
Tottenham
Mauricio Pochettino played down injury fears after Danny Rose needed to take on an oxygen mask at the end of yesterday’s home loss to Stoke:
“[He] took a kick to the chest. He is okay.”
West Brom
Sebastien Pocognoli was replaced at the break during the Baggies home loss to Newcastle after picking up a muscle injury. The left-back has since withdrawn from the Belgium squad earlier today, with reports suggesting he could be out for up to three weeks.
West Ham
Speaking to the press after Saturday’s goalless draw against Villa, Sam Allardyce admitted he gambled with Winston Reid’s fitness and played the centre-half for the full 90 minutes despite a slight recurrence of the problem that forced him off on 23 minutes away to Stoke in the previous Gameweek:
“I wanted to bring Winston Reid off because he was feeling his thigh a bit, but at that point I just felt he had to stay on for us to go and get the winner. I wanted to put Andy on rather than change Reidy for James Tomkins, so I hope Winston’s alright.”
