ARSENAL:
Prized striker Mesut Ozil missed the game against Stoke City due to inflamed right foot but is destined to return to starting lineup when Gunners host Chelsea at Emirates Stadium on Sunday as the injury is not serious, according to Wenger.
Alexis Sanchez hasn’t featured in any game since picking up a hamstring injury in a match against Norwich in November last year. While briefing media about the latest injury concerns, Wenger has said that Sanchez has passed all the fitness tests and is ready to roar in the home clash against Chelsea. However, it won’t be a surprise either if the Frenchman decides not take any risks against the bitter rivals and rest the Chilean until he proves his fitness on the training ground.
Coquelin and Rosicky are back in full training while Welbeck will start training after a week.
Jack Wilshere joined the practice session on Tuesday, but Wenger told the press that the midfielder has to prove his fitness before he can make a comeback for Arsenal.
MANCHESTER UNITED:
Bastian Schweinsteiger has resumed training after recovering from the knee injury sustained in FA Cup victory over Sheffield United but Van Gaal is not in a hurry to slot him back into the playing XI straight away, and the German will have to wait until the end of January to get back into the live action.
Phil Jones, who picked up an ankle injury, and Michael Carrick will be back in action next month, but United are still unsure about the return of Antonio Valencia and Marcos Rojo.
CHELSEA:
Eden Hazard is likely to return against Arsenal this Sunday after recovering from a groin muscle problem, but ma may not be playing all for full 90 minutes.
‘He has been well-prepared by the physio until two days ago when he started to participate with the team,’ said Hiddink while giving an injury update.
Diego Costa has also been passed fit and is expected to lead the line for the ailing champions.
MANCHESTER CITY:
The Citizens have been without their skipper and star defender Vincent Kompany for most of the season. The Belgian is nursing two different calf injuries and is expected to resume live action at the end of February.
Aleksandar Kolarov left the pitch on the stretcher after taking a hit in the game against Crystal Palace. He is expected to return soon but will miss a trip to West Ham on Saturday.
Wilfried Bony and Mangala are recovering from injuries, and both of them are expected to return in February. Fernandinho, who suffered a knock earlier, is set to make a comeback on 23rd January against West Ham; a very much needed boost for the Sky Blues.
LIVERPOOL:
There is no end to Daniel Sturridge’s persistent problems as Jürgen Klopp revealed that the Englishman is in no position to return anytime soon. Sturridge has scored 44 times in 77 games for Liverpool, and the Reds are in dire need of a striker of his calibre.
“Out of responsibility, we have to do everything we can to give him the physical strength to be able to play Premier League football,” Klopp told the club’s official website.
Sturridge has played just 108 minutes of football under Klopp and has missed the Merseyside club’s past 11 games across all competitions since losing 2-0 to Magpies on December 6.
Dejan Lovren is also unavailable for an unspecified period. However, four other players, Jordan Henderson, Ibe, and Sakho, all of whom suffered a hamstring, are in the phase of returning to first team action in the coming two weeks.
Kolo Toure is still struggling to recover after he took up a cramp against Stoke City.
LEICESTER CITY:
Vardy returned to action against Tottenham today after a minor Groin surgery. Ranieri started him on the bench, sending him in as a substitute in the 74th minute.
WEST BROM:
Darren Fletcher limped away from the pitch after picking up a knee injury in the match against Southampton on January 16. However, the injury is not severe, and the Scottish player is expected to return against Aston Villa on Saturday.
Chris Brunt seemed to have pulled his calf muscle in the game against Bristol City on Tuesday. The extent of the injury is unknown but being pulled out of the match after just 17 minutes is not a good sign for the Baggies.
James Morrison’s injury comes as a serious blow to Tony Pulis’ campaign. The Englishman ruptured his hamstring against Chelsea and could be out for eight weeks.
WEST HAM:
There seems to be no end to Hammers’ striker crisis as Andy Carrol, and Diafra Sakho continues to recover from injuries. Slaven Bilic is hopeful that duo will return to fitness in time for West Ham‘s trip to St. Mary’s Stadium on February 8.
“Andy Carroll is making good progress after suffering a hamstring injury at Bournemouth last week and has started running.”
“Finally, Diafra Sakho was involved in a minor car accident this week. The Club doctor gave him a thorough check-up, and we are pleased that he did not suffer any new injuries in this accident,” Stijn Vandenbroucke, West Ham’s Head of Medical and Sports Science said while giving an update on club’s injury vows.
SOUTHAMPTON:
Graziano Pelle and Jay Rodriguez, suffering from a knee injury and a foot surgery, respectively, are unlikely to get involved in any action until the start of February.
Rodriguez’s recovery depends on his fitness level after he is announced fully fit by the doctors and might not be available for at least next two weeks; Pelle may be seen on the pitch before Rodriguez.
SUNDERLAND:
Younes Kaboul is out with a knee injury, and it is unclear as to when the striker would be returning to first team action. Sebastian Larsson has a knee issue but it is nothing serious, and the player will be able to cope with it in a week.
STOKE CITY:
American midfielder Geoff Cameron is having ankle issues and is undergoing different scans and tests. He hasn’t played since retiring at half-time in the Capital One Cup semi-final against Liverpool on January 5 and remains absent at Leicester this Saturday as well.
“He’s still got an issue with problems just above the ankle, and it isn’t progressing too quickly,” Mark Hughes disclosed.
Marko Arnautovic is also being rested for now with the hectic schedule. The striker has a pulled hamstring but is training and may be returning in the game week. Xherdan Shaqiri is back in full training and might be featuring in the clash against Leicester City.
TOTTENHAM:
With only Ryan Mason and Clinton N’Jai sustaining long time injuries, Tottenham are a club without much injury concerns this season. The two players are set to miss most of the remaining season.
NEWCASTLE UNITED:
A major issue for the Newcastle United since the beginning of this season has been the injury to the knee of Tim Krul while playing for Netherland. The Stopper tweeted that he is waiting for an update on his injury and seems to be recovering well and ready for some action in the coming weeks.
EVERTON:
James McCarthy and Seamus Coleman are close to returning and might feature in the second leg semi-final of Capital One Cup against Manchester City. Nothing is for certain, but the Manager made it quite clear that the two players have recovered fully from their injuries. However, Lukaku is set on making a comeback in the same clash.
BOURNEMOUTH:
Striker Benik Afobe was harshly tackled in the game against Norwich and suffered a blow to his knee. Blood as seen pouring out of his ankle as well. The doctors are currently assessing his situation, and a verdict may come out any time now. But this isn’t a good sign for Bournemouth’s remaining campaign with their record signing sidelined.
