The New Year heralded in a number of injury concerns earlier today, with treatment rooms around the country opening their doors to accommodate a host of new arrivals.
Arsenal
Mathieu Flamini missed today’s 2-0 loss at Southampton through injury, whilst Arsene Wenger has
confirmed Lukas Podolski was unavailable after sustaining a groin problem.
Aston Villa
Skipper Ron Vlaar was forced off during the first-half of today’s goalless draw against Palace with a knee injury. Post-match, Paul Lambert confirmed the Dutchman is set to be assessed prior to the weekend:
“I am not 100% sure but he’s thinking it could be the same sort of thing that he hurt in the World Cup. It’s his knee. We will probably know more tomorrow. He will go for a scan. Hopefully it’s not too bad. He thinks it might be similar to the one he had in Brazil. We will have to wait and see.”
Burnley
Sean Dyche is counting the cost of today’s comeback draw at Newcastle, after Jason Shackell (calf), Dean Marney (illness) and Kevin Long ((ankle) were forced off. The Burnley boss is sweating over the latter’s availability, with the debutant stretchered off in the 3-3 stalemate:
“Kevin is the big question mark. It needs to settle and the medical team will get on that over the next couple of days. We are hopeful Shacks is not as bad as we maybe first thought and Dean is just sickness. He was almost vomiting before the game and it is a strange one. ”
Everton
Kevin Mirallas started on the left of a front three away to Hull but was withdrawn at the break, with Roberto Martinez confirming:
“Kevin was feeling a little bit sore at half-time and we needed everyone to be 100% in order to be dynamic.””
Hull
Andrew Robertson is set for x-rays on his ankle and foot after a challenge from Everton’s Mo Besic forced him off on 23 minutes today. Liam Rosenior was withdrawn before the hour mark due to a hamstring problem, whilst Gaston Ramirez was subbed off at the break as a result of his ongoing groin complaint.
Leicester
Danny Drinkwater was replaced by David Nugent on 36 minutes after picking up an injury during the 2-2 draw at Liverpool.
Liverpool
Adam Lallana’s recent run of form was halted earlier today due to injury. The Reds midfielder was subbed off early in the second period, with Brendan Rodgers confirming post-match:
“He’s got a tweak in his thigh, so we’ll see how that is.”
Mario Balotelli missed out altogether after sustaining an injury in training.
Man United
Ashley Young could be set for a period on the sidelines, according to Louis van Gaal, after he was forced off during today’s draw at Stoke.
“He has a hamstring injury. He’s out for many weeks, I think. But I’m not a doctor so we have to wait for tomorrow or the day after tomorrow.”
Newcastle
The Magpies look poised to be without Steven Taylor for the remainder of the season. Caretaker boss John Carver confirmed the worst after the centre-half was taken off during today’s draw with Burnley:
“Unfortunately there’s bad news with Steven. It looks like he’s snapped his Achilles tendon – the other one (to which he injured against Chelsea in December 2011). It’s a fresh injury and I’m so disappointed for him because he got off to a great start. He’s a good character and he’ll deal with it. We’ll make sure he’s looked after and everything will be done properly.”
Southampton
The Saints’ in-form wide man Sadio Mane was withdrawn after scoring his third goal in as many matches in today’s win over Arsenal. After the 2-0 triumph, Ronald Koeman is uncertain whether Mane – who is soon set to fly to the African Cup of Nations with Senegal – will be available for the weekend FA Cup clash with Ipswich:
“I have to wait until Friday, I don’t know what happened exactly, we will know more then if he is available for Sunday or not.”
Sunderland
Santiago Vergini was withdrawn on 77 minutes after picking up a knock in the Black Cats’ narrow loss at City. Lee Cattermole failed to make the Etihad trip due to a groin problem, Gus Poyet has confirmed.
Tottenham
Erik Lamela missed today’s stunning win over Chelsea with a minor calf complaint, whilst Ryan Mason limped off with a hamstring injury in the first period.
West Brom
Craig Gardner missed the Baggies 1-1 draw at West Ham with a calf problem, whilst fellow midfielder Graham Dorrans was subbed off through injury late on.
West Ham
The Hammers have concerns over today’s scorer Diafra Sakho, who was forced off with a recurrence of a back problem. The Senegal striker will be hoping to recover in time to fly off on international duties in the African Cup of Nations next week.
“We have to have a scan on it and see what condition his back is in. Obviously it’s a similar situation to when he last came back from [international duty with] Senegal, so on Friday the lads will send him for a scan and we’ll see how it goes from there”
