The new injuries were kept to a relative minimum over this weekend’s nine matches. Liverpool, Stoke and Swansea all have worries over their skippers, whilst Hull’s packed treatment room welcomed further additions as the problems build for Steve Bruce.
Chelsea
Didier Drogba missed Saturday’s hammering of Swansea due to illness, Jose Mourinho has revealed. The Blues boss also explained that, although Thibaut Courtois’ finger injury is improving, the Belgian – who was handed bench-warming duties as Petr Cech took his place between the posts – is still hampered with the problem:
“It is better, much better but if you have an injury in your finger – even if you are ready to play – you don’t train the same way. During the week you protect the injury you have so I had no doubts in making the choice. I was happy with Petr’s performance, he’s confident and at the top of his potential.”
Hull
Robbie Brady missed the Tigers’ 3-0 defeat to West Ham yesterday due to illness. Steve Bruce’s mounting injury worries continued at the weekend after James Chester and Alex Bruce were forced off at Upton Park – post match, the Hull manager confirmed both defenders are set for a period on the sidelines, with the former set for surgery on a dislocated shoulder:
”Chester’s out at least two to three months, I’d say with an operation. Alex is out for at least a month with a thigh muscle (pulled). It’s deeply frustrating.”
Liverpool
Captain Steven Gerrard missed out at Villa Park with ongoing hamstring problems which forced him off at half-time at Sunderland last weekend. Mario Balotelli also skipped the 2-0 win due to illness.
Man United
Jonny Evans was forced off during Saturday’s Loftus Road win. The centre-back’s withdrawal saw Louis van Gaal move from 3-4-1-2 to 4-4-2, with replacement James Wilson handed a role up front.
Newcastle
Paul Dummett was subbed with a hamstring injury during the Magpies’ 2-1 home loss to Southampton on Saturday evening, according to the local press.
QPR
Richard Dunne was subbed off at the break during the weekend clash against United with a groin injury but reports indicate the issue is a minor one.
Stoke
The Potters skipper Ryan Shawcross missed Saturday’s win at Leicester after failing a fitness test on a groin problem sustained in training.
Swansea
Wayne Routledge was forced off with an Achilles injury during the weekend home mauling by Chelsea. Garry Monk also has worries over skipper Ashley Williams – despite playing the 90 minutes, the centre-half left the stadium with his arm in a sling after playing with a shoulder injury. Leon Britton missed out altogether as he battles an ongoing groin problem.
West Ham
Sam Allardyce is counting the cost of yesterday’s win over Hull after two of his central defenders – James Tomkins and James Collins – were forced off in the 3-0 victory. The Hammers boss rolled out an injury update after the match:
“Ginge felt his back, so Reidy came on, then Mark Noble did 120 minutes on Tuesday and looked tired so Morgan came on, gave us fresh legs, scored a great goal and laid chances on for other people. Mark’s tired legs wouldn’t have got him into those positions. Then Carlton was going to come on but Tonks felt his hamstring tighten up, so we put Joey on.”
