The injuries were kept to a relative minimum over the nine weekend fixtures, with the absence of Swansea’s playmaker providing Fantasy managers with the one real scare as we head towards Gameweek 18.
Arsenal
The Gunners’ young right-back Hector Bellerin was unavailable for Sunday’s trip to Anfield after picking up a slight ankle injury, according to the club’s official website.
Hull
Steve Bruce’s problems at the back are building after the weekend home loss to Swansea. With Michael Dawson already ruled out until mid-January with a hamstring injury, the Tigers boss faces an anxious wait after both Curtis Davies and Alex Bruce were forced off with injuries in the 1-0 defeat.
Earlier today, Bruce recalled both Thomas Ince and Maynor Figueroa from loan spells, having admitted post-match:
“We are down to 15 or 16 players who are available. There’s far too many sitting in the stands for whatever reason. We have to get on with it.”
Man City
Jose Pozo – who had lead the line for the Gameweek 16 trip to Leicester – missed City’s home encounter with Palace due to illness, allowing James Milner to take up the false nine role.
Man United
Ander Herrera confirmed via Instagram that he missed United’s draw at Villa with minor injury.
“Great job guys ! One more point that keeps us at the top. I could not help the team by a small muscular problem, but soon will be ready again.”
QPR
The R’s cut-price left-back Yun Suk-Young is set to be assessed after being replaced during the weekend win over West Brom with an ankle injury.
Sunderland
The Black Cats were forced into a late change to their starting XI in yesterday’s derby win at Newcastle after left-back Anthony Reveillere was injured during the warm-up.
After the 1-0 victory, Gus Poyet conceded that Billy Jones may be fast-tracked back into contention from a hamstring injury if he proves his fitness. The Sunderland boss gave credit to his weekend defence, after he was forced to field a back-four comprised solely of centre-halves:
“We lost our main full-back [Reveillere] before the game, John O’Shea played at left-back for the first time since he left Manchester United, and we had Seb Coates jump in despite having practically no warm-up. It was a very, very, unique and strange back four today and yet we kept a clean sheet. Are we going to have a full-back next week [against Hull]? I don’t know. We need to wait and see. Are we going to throw Billy Jones back in straightaway? We’ll see how he is tomorrow.”
Swansea
Garry Monk made seven changes to his starting XI for the weekend win at Hull. The Swans boss has confirmed that Gylfi Sigurdsson (foot), Jefferson Montero (hamstring) and Leon Britton (knee) all missed out with minor problems, with all three expected to be fit in time for the weekend home clash against Villa:
“They just had niggles. Gylfi had a niggle going into the Spurs game. Leon and Jeff had little niggles at the start of the week and it is one of those situations where if I pushed them, they could have played. But I always believe if a player has any slight doubt in his mind going into a game, you are better off going with someone who is 100 per cent able to commit to what you are asking them to do. That was the reason behind those decisions and thankfully they paid off. I knew people would question the changes, but I have confidence in the group. We haven’t got the biggest squad, but we have quality and everyone knows their role. We have got to a busy period coming up and to play the same 11 players in every game is suicide for me.”
Tottenham
Ryan Mason was forced off just before the break during Spurs’ home win over Burnley. Speaking to the press post-match, Mauricio Pochettino went on to reveal:
“It was his ankle. It doesn’t look too bad, we need to analyse it tomorrow.”
West Ham
James Tomkins was replaced midway through the second period after picking up a slight thigh problem and will be assessed ahead of the Hammers’ Boxing Day trip to Stamford Bridge.
