Once again, there was a minimal amount of new injuries over the weekend’s matches for Fantasy managers to fret over, with Jose Mourinho and Mauricio Pochettino playing down concerns after withdrawing Harry Kane and John Terry respectively. Steve McClaren is a manager with worries, however, with injuries in midfield, while his first choice right-back will miss their Gameweek 3 trip to Old Trafford through suspension.
Chelsea
Jose Mourinho denied John Terry picked up an injury in today’s loss at City after being subbed off at the break. Perhaps tellingly, this was the first time in Terry’s career under Mourinho that he had been replaced mid-match, with the Blues boss explaining:
“No [he was not injured], it was a decision I made. I know that Zouma is the fastest in the squad, and in that moment Manchester City were playing on the counter attack. Zouma is different than John, and my decision was proved right as Zouma was in complete control. I left him out because tactically we needed to make a change, and I was proven right as we controlled the game in the second half.”
Mourinho also stated post-match than Oscar, who missed the Etihad trip, remains a doubt for the Gameweek 3 trip to West Brom…
“Oscar’s injury isn’t a big one but it stops him from playing today and probably next week”
Leicester City
Back-up stopper Mark Schwarzer missed yesterday’s win at West Ham due to illness, the club’s official twitter feed confirmed.
Newcastle
Steve McClaren has concerns in midfield for the trip to United after Moussa Sissoko was withdrawn at the break against Swansea due to a groin problem. The Magpies boss also explained Siem de Jong’s weekend absence:
“We lost a big player in Moussa. We don’t know the seriousness of it yet…We think it (De Jong injury) is just a kick on the shin which flared up. He nearly made it (in time) but unfortunately didn’t (but) it should not be too bad.”
Sissoko has since tweeted on his injury, confirming an adductor problem.
Tottenham
Mauricio Pochettino played down his second-half withdrawal of Harry Kane in yesterday’s draw with Stoke. The Spurs boss confirmed Kane’s problem was no more than cramp, having started training a little late due to his Euro U21 exertions with England:
“Harry was very tired and had some cramps in his calf, so to take the risk with the score at 2-0, I didn’t think it was a problem to take him off. He came later in pre-season and it is normal. He is better but he needs time to arrive. We knew before the end of last season Harry Kane would play a lot and the consequences you can see now. This is the truth, at 2-0, after 65 minutes, I think it was enough for him. We don’t take risks with his body”.
Swansea
Garry Monk remains optimistic that Ki Sung-Yeung will return to action for next week’s trip to Sunderland. The Swans boss refused to take any chances with the South Korean at home to Newcastle, after he was forced off with a hamstring injury away to Chelsea last week:
“It wasn’t really [right] to take the risk with him. Of course he’s pushing to play, but I think we’ll give him that little bit more time. He’ll be back in training next week ready for the Sunderland game.”
Suspensions
Newcastle are set to be without Daryl Janmaat for the trip to United after the right-back received his marching order for picking up two yellow cards away to Swansea. Discussing his upcoming absence, the Dutchman – who was booked on both occasions for incidents involving Jefferson Montero – owned up to his Liberty folly:
“I’m very disappointed. It was stupid of me and I have to apologise to my team-mates, the supporters and everybody, because trying to win a game with ten men is very difficult. The first yellow card was clear. The second one, I lost the ball, he (Montero) ran past me and in a split-second I touched him. I pulled him back and that was stupid.”
West Ham are set to be without Adrian for the next three league matches after the Spaniard’s weekend dismissal at home to Leicester. Dismissed for serious foul play after an incident with Jamie Vardy, the Hammers keeper will miss clashes against Bournemouth, Liverpool and Newcastle before returning to action in Gameweek 6 away to Man City. Darren Randolph (4.5) is set to deputise in his absence.
