Just a few hours after the final whistle went at St James’ Park, we bring you an update on those players who have picked up injury concerns on the back of today’s nine matches. A certain City midfielder is our headline act ahead of the champions’ home match against Sunderland on Thursday.
Aston Villa
Ciaran Clark was forced off with a back problem in today’s goalless draw with Sunderland. Paul Lambert also confirmed that Jores Okore, who replaced his fellow defender, was on the bench as he wanted to protect him after a lengthy injury lay-off.
Chelsea
Oscar missed the Blues’ draw at Southampton due to illness, as Cesc Fabregas was handed the role in “the hole” for the second time in three Gameweeks.
Everton
James McCarthy was withdrawn at the break in the Toffees’ defeat at Newcastle after suffering a slight recurrence of his hamstring injury. After the match, Roberto Martinez confirmed:
“It was more precaution. James came back from injury on Friday and was able to play 60 minutes and today, at half-time, he was at a very high risk of injury so had to come off. It was feeling a little bit tight and because we know his history of previous injuries, we had to protect that.”
Hull City
Gaston Ramirez was forced off at half-time against Leicester with Steve Bruce confirming a groin injury post-match. The Uruguayan has been suffering from groin problems since his arrival at the KC Stadium on loan from Southampton.
Leicester
Leonardo Ulloa was withdrawn early in the second-half of this afternoon’s win at Hull after picking up a knock.
Manchester City
Manuel Pellegrini has revealed that Yaya Toure missed today’s 2-2 draw with Burnley due to a groin problem and will be assessed ahead of Thursday’s home encounter with Sunderland:
“We hope that he will be because it was a lesser problem but after 48 hours maybe it is too high a risk to repeat – [it is] a muscle injury in his groin. Yaya was not able to play today, 90 minutes. It was a risk for him. The players that played today were the players who were able to. Yaya felt a problem at the beginning of the last game against West Bromwich. He was not 100% so I think it was not good for him to play today.”
Pellegrini is also uncertain over Vincent Kompany’s availability for the Black Cats’ clash:
“We will see tomorrow if he is fit for the next game. It is very difficult now to know. He has some problems still in his calf.”
Manchester United
Antonio Valencia was replaced at the break with a groin problem, Louis van Gaal has revealed.
Southampton
Nathaniel Clyne missed this afternoon’s draw against Chelsea due to an ankle injury. After the match, Ronald Koeman confirmed:
“He got a kick on his ankle. He’s out for around 10 days. I don’t think he’ll be available for Arsenal game”
Stoke
Mark Hughes has confirmed that Bojan was withdrawn late in against West Brom due to a potential hamstring injury but is optimistic the Spaniard will be fit in time to face United on Thursday.
Sunderland
Liam Bridcutt was forced off early off during Sunderland’s match at Villa after failing to recover from a head knock sustained in a clash with Christian Benteke. See Larsson was also withdrawn on 57 minutes with Gus Poyet confirming post-match that the Swede had twisted his ankle and sustained some ligament damage. The Black Cats boss did, however, play down the injury ahead of their New Year’s day trip to the Etihad…
“Seb has twisted his ankle. It is ligament damage, but nothing serious – a few days.”
Tottenham
Nabil Bentaleb missed today’s lunchtime encounter with United due to illness.
West Brom
Left-back Sebastien Pocognoli missed the derby loss at Stoke due to injury, according to reports in the local press. After the match, Baggies boss Alan Irvine explained his reasons for subbing off Stephane Sessegnon and James Morrison:
“Sessegnon has a bit of a calf problem that is on-going and has done extremely well to play through games.. James Morrison has been nursing a knee injury…Sessegnon and Morrison are going through a bit of discomfort. It wasn’t because they had played poorly. I was trying to look after them.”
