Everton are set to be without Phil Jagielka for eight-to-nine weeks, according to Roberto Martinez. United’s Antonio Valencia is forced off with a foot problem, Bojan and Marc Muniesa are early doubts for Stoke’s cup encounter with Chelsea, whilst Harry Kane reveals he’s been playing with a knee knock in recent outings..
Arsenal
Per Mertesacker sat out Arsenal’s home tie against Everton due to illness. In his press conference earlier today, though, Arsene Wenger has confirmed that the German international has now recovered and will be available for selection when the Gunners lock horns with Sheffield Wednesday in the Capital One Cup tomorrow.
Crystal Palace
Pape Souare was sidelined due to injury for the Eagles’ 1-0 defeat at Leicester City, according to the club’s official website. At present, no word has been given on the severity of his complaint.
Everton
Phil Jagielka faces around two months in the treatment room after damaging medial ligments in his knee during the second half of Everton’s trip to Arsenal. Earlier today, Roberto Martinez rolled out an update on the centre-back, who has been the only defender to start every league match for the Toffees so far this term:
“The medial ligament is affected and it’s an injury that is quite straightforward. It’s hard to tell [how long he will be sidelined for]. The medial ligament depends on what area there is damage to determine how quickly you can recover. At the moment we are going to make sure he gets the right course of treatment. I wouldn’t expect anything longer than eight to nine weeks. There is no other damage to the meniscus or the cartilage. The cruciates [ligaments] are very strong. After the game, we expected the worst especially the way the injury happened and rotating the knee – it could have been anything”
Manchester United
Louis van Gaal revealed that Antonio Valencia sustained a foot injury in the first half of the Manchester derby and was eventually forced to withdraw at the 81-minute mark, making him a doubt for the Red Devils’ home encounter against Middlesbrough in the League Cup:
“He had a kick on his foot in the first half and then I let Darmian warm up on the touchline. But then he played further. However, at the end, he could not continue.”
Newcastle United
Jack Colback is set to be assessed by the Magpies’ medical staff after leaving Wearside on crutches after he was forced off early in the second period due to a hefty challenge from Lee Cattermole. Regardless, Colback picked up his fifth caution of the season at the Stadium of Light, ruling him out of the Toon’s home fixture against Stoke City next weekend.
Norwich
Canaries frontman Dieumerci Mbokani – who has netted in two of the last three Gameweeks – is a minor doubt for the midweek cup trip to Everton due to illness, manager Alex Neil has revealed:
“I think Dieumerci Mbokani has picked up a little bug, flu-type thing, so he has to shake that off but other than that the rest of the squad is fine. Potentially that could rule him out but we’ll see how he recovers from it.”
Stoke City
Geoff Cameron had to be replaced nine minutes into Stoke’s head-to-head with Watford after damaging his thigh while challenging Troy Deeney for possession. Mark Hughes initially expected the US international to be missing for a couple of weeks but rolled out a more positive prognosis this afternoon:
“It looks like a grade one tear so hopefully he might have a chance for the weekend.
Hughes also confirmed that the Potters have a couple more concerns ahead of their midweek cup clash against Chelsea, with Marc Muniesa and Bojan looking doubtful:
“Marc Muniesa has got a slight (thigh) problem, but we are likely to give him another 24 hours. Bojan has an issue with his toe. He’s got a really bad blister on it and it’s hampering him, so we will have to see if it settles down.”
Sunderland
Sam Allardyce is counting the cost of yesterday’s derby win over Newcastle with the Black Cats nursing injury concerns over a trio of players. After the 3-0 triumph, the Sunderland boss conceded he’s sweating on the fitness of John O’Shea, Younes Kaboul and Ola Toivonen:
“John has got a hamstring. Ola did his groin and Younes Kaboul has a calf problem. The only disappointing thing for us was the three injuries. We will have to see how they are for next week. We may get one out of the three fit. I won’t be sure until two or three days into this week and these injuries have settled down.”
Tottenham Hotspur
Harry Kane had heavy strapping on his knee during Spurs’ win over Bournemouth and midweek Europa League meeting with Anderlecht, having suffered a minor knock against Liverpool in Gameweek 9. The Lilywhites’ premier frontman insisted that the strapping is just a precautionary measure and he’ll be at 100% when Villa pay a visit to White Hart Lane next Monday:
“I’m not far off. It was a little niggle I picked up against Liverpool and we didn’t want to risk it midweek. The manager makes his decisions about who plays. I was fully fit for the Bournemouth game and I was always going to be playing. That showed with the performance. The strapping on the knee is a precaution. We haven’t got a game until next Monday now so by then it should be 100 per cent.”
