The midweek fixtures took their toll on a number of players, as we take our usual post-Gameweek look at the new injuries across the Premier League.
Arsenal
Alexis Sanchez and Aaron Ramsey were both withdrawn due to injury in Arsenal’s win over Leicester on Tuesday evening. The Chilean picked up a problem early on as a result of a challenge from Matthew Upson and lasted 68 minutes before making way, with Arsene Wenger revealing:
“Sanchez got a knock on his knee. I don’t think he was himself. From the moment he got this knock, he was never really comfortable. I was ready to take him off at half-time but he said, ‘no it’s okay, I can go on’. When I watched him play I thought, ‘No, that hasn’t [got better]’. Sometimes when you run it off it’s just a kick but he became worse and I didn’t see him in the second half. I don’t know for how long he will be out and whether he will be out or not. I haven’t seen the doctor.”
The Gunners boss also raised concerns over Ramsey, who lasted just nine minutes as a sub before being forced off. Reports have subsequently suggested the Welshman could be set for up to a month on the sidelines.
“It doesn’t look good when a guy stops straight away and sits down. I left him out [of the starting lineup] to be cautious with him. I put him on and it was not the best of decisions. I can’t say it’s not a worry because after a while, the player cannot play with a free mind. He’s not over-played. I don’t know why this is.”
Chelsea
Oscar missed last night’s win over Everton, with Jose Mourinho explaining:
“Oscar has a minor muscular problem. If we played him today, it is possible we would lose him for a few weeks”
Crystal Palace
Yaya Sanogo lasted less than half an hour of last night’s draw with Newcastle before sustaining a hamstring injury.
Leicester
In his first league start for the Foxes, Matthew Upson was replaced just before the hour mark as a precaution, according to the Foxes website.
Liverpool
The Reds’ assistant boss Colin Pascoe had plenty to discuss during this morning’s press conference. Pascoe revealed the club are awaiting news on the injury that forced Steven Gerrard off against Spurs on Tuesday night:
“Unfortunately, he felt his hamstring just towards the end of the game. He’s having a scan this morning and we’re just waiting for the results to come back on that one.
Pascoe also confirmed Raheem Sterling is being monitored ahead of the weekend cup encounter with Palace, before going on to discuss Daniel Sturridge’s current levels of fitness after months on the sidelines through injury:
“He’s desperate to play 90 minutes. He didn’t want to come off. We knew up to 70 minutes was his maximum. Anything more than that then you’re overstepping it and he could pull a muscle. It’s a progression with Daniel – we can’t push him too much at the moment. We’ll monitor him and see how he is and how he’s training. He’s recovering at the moment. He’s feeling great and he’s feeling well. We’ll have to talk to the sports scientists, but we don’t want to push him; we don’t want to break him. But he’s not far off 90 minutes.””
Manchester City
Manuel Pellegrini revealed the reasons for subbing off Sergio Aguero with 18 minutes remaining of last night’s win over Stoke:
“He felt something in the back. My feeling is it is not too serious and he now has 10 days to recover and train well. I hope he will be fit to face Newcastle.”
Aguero, though, played down any fears and tweeted post-match:
“For the ones asking I’m ok. I stepped out only for precaution. Now let’s keep on working for the very important upcoming commitments.”
Man United
Phil Jones and Daley Blind were both forced off during last night’s win over Burnley. The Dutchman sustained a head knock and tried to play on with an eye injury before eventually making way for Ander Herrera – post-match, Louis van Gaal revealed to MUTV:
“I think, for Jones, we have to wait and see. I think it shall be difficult as he was very disappointed when I spoke with him. Maybe it’s a knee problem so it’s not good. Blind has a headache but I don’t think he is out of the game on Monday [in the FA Cup against Preston North End].”
Newcastle
Siem de Jong is set for another period on the sidelines after suffering a collapsed lung – the second time in the last 18 months their summer signing has been hospitalised with the problem. Local reports earlier this afternoon confirmed Paul Dummett will be assessed after picking up a knee knock during last night’s draw at Palace.
QPR
The Loftus Road outfit were dealt a bitter blow after Leroy Fer – who was amongst the goals in Tuesday’s win at Sunderland – was subsequently ruled out for up to ten weeks with knee ligament damage.
Stoke
Jon Walters missed last night’s home loss to City due to an ongoing knee problem.
West Ham
Andy Carroll is set for a stint on the sidelines after suffering a recurrence of a knee injury in last night’s clash with Southampton. The forward left St Mary’s on crutches, with his manager revealing post-match:
“The sad thing for us is the injury to Andy Carroll which we can ill-afford to take with our injury problems. It’s the same knee. He got kicked on the back of it and felt something was wrong. He stayed up and was a nuisance but I just hope that staying on hasn’t done any damage. He got fit in two-and-a-half weeks but clearly it’s going to take longer this time because it’s the same injury.”
Big Sam is also hoping Mark Noble can recover from the virus that forced him to miss the goalless draw.
