Premier League 2018/19: All the players who got injured during international break

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The international break has come and gone and league football is now upon us.

As clubs prepare for their Premier League fixtures this weekend, they are being forced to deal with another problem: injuries sustained when their players were out on international duty with their respective countries.

Here, we take a look at all the players who suffered an injury during the international break:

Tottenham Hotspur

#1 Victor Wanyama

The Spurs midfielder sustained an injury during Kenya’s 3-0 win over Ethiopia. 

However, Harambee Stars head coach Sebastian Migne has played down fears of an injury saying, “The injury was not serious. At 3-0, there was no need to take a risk with him after he pulled a muscle in his left leg.”

“He is our captain, and we need him to be fully fit for a final match in November against Sierra Leone, if they are reinstated.”

He added, “I think we are on the way and this win is huge.”

West Ham

#1 Robert Snodgrass 

Robert Snodgrass is a doubt to face Tottenham due to an ankle problem.

He was also left out of Scotland’s game against Israel in the UEFA Nations League.

According to Football London, Snodgrass is set to be assessed by doctors at Rush Green soon.

#2 Arthur Masuaku

The West Ham defender was withdrawn from the DR Congo squad after picking up a minor injury in their 2-1 loss to Zimbabwe.

Masuaku is said to have sustained an ankle injury but the defender is expected to be fit to face bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.

Brighton

#1 Gaetan Bong

Brighton defender Gaetan Bong was ruled out of Cameroon’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier with Malawi on Tuesday due to a suspected knock.

Reports are however saying that the left-back could return for Brighton’s game against Newcastle United this weekend.

Newcastle United

#1 Ciaran Clark

Ciaran Clark suffered a thigh injury in training during the international break.

Newcastle are set to assess him before they can clear him for Saturday’s game with Brighton.

A statement released on Newcastle’s website said, “The Newcastle defender suffered a thigh injury during training ahead of the match. He will be assessed further on his return to Newcastle later this week.”

Manchester City

#1 Danilo

Manchester City defender Danilo picked up a nasty ankle injury during Brazil’s 1-0 victory over Argentina on Tuesday. 

After blocking a shot from Inter Milan’s Mauro Icardi, the full-back was seen laying on the ground in pain.

Cameras caught the defender holding back tears as he limped off the pitch with medical staff at the King Abdullah Stadium in Saudi Arabia.

The City man suffered the same problem just a few months ago during the World Cup in Russia.

The defender has only made one appearance for the Premier League champions so far this season.

Chelsea

#1 Ethan Ampadu

Chelsea youngster Ampadu picked up a knee injury in Wales’ friendly against Spain.

Ampadu came off during the game and missed Wales’ next game against Republic of Ireland.

Wales manager Ryan Giggs said of the injury, “Ethan just extended his knee a little bit in the second half, and we will assess it and see how it is.”

Chelsea are set to face Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United on Saturday.

Southampton

#1 Shane Long

Southampton’s Shane Long suffered a few knocks during the Republic of Ireland’s game against Denmark in the UEFA Nations League.

The Saints are set to assess their front-man before they can make a line-up decision in the short term.

#2 Stuart Armstrong 

Another Southampton man has been bogged down by injury during international duty. Stuart Armstrong was seen limping off during Scotland’s 3-1 defeat to Portugal in the UEFA Nations League. 

Armstrong is suspected to be suffering from a calf problem.

Crystal Palace

#1 Wilfried Zaha

Wilfried Zaha has sustained what is believed to be an injury related to his abductor muscle during his Ivory Coast exploits in the international break.

The forward also withdrew from his side’s squad on Tuesday. 

This is not the first time that the forward sustained an abductor muscle injury, the previous one being during Crystal Palace’s loss to Southampton in September.

Zaha is currently being assessed by the Eagles in south London.

Crystal Palace is scheduled to face Everton on Sunday but the likelihood of Zaha’s presence in the squad is thin.

Burnley

#1 Stephen Ward

The Burnley star sustained a nasty knee injury during the international break.

The injury prompted the Clarets man to pull out of the Republic of Ireland squad that faced Denmark and Wales.

The defender is unlikely to feature in the next couple of games after reports have stated that the 33-year-old has undergone a knee surgery.

Speaking of the injury, Ireland boss Martin O’Neill said, “Stephen had an operation on Monday. He had a problem at the back of his knee and needed to get it sorted out.”

Liverpool

#1 Mohamed Salah

Liverpool ace Mohamed Salah sustained an injury during Egypt’s 4-1 win over Swaziland in Cairo.

The Egyptian forward was seen limping off the field in the 88th minute of the game.

After the game, Egypt assistant manager downplayed any fears of an injury saying, “The primary diagnosis confirms it’s just a strain and no muscle rupture is apparent.”

“But the player will need to undergo scans to determine the full extent of the injury and the time needed to heal.”

“It’s nothing major, we’ll do the best we can to help him recover. We hope he’s fit as soon as possible.”

Despite his return to training, it is unlikely that the Liverpool ace will start against Huddersfield Town on Saturday.

#2 Sadio Mane

Liverpool have now suggested that Mane could be available for their game against Huddersfield this weekend after they announced that the 26-year-old had undergone surgery successfully.

The statement read, “Liverpool Football Club can confirm Sadio Mane today underwent a procedure on a hand injury sustained while on international duty with Senegal.”

“The surgery, conducted at a north-west hospital and supervised by club medics, was successful.”

“Mane’s recovery will be monitored over the next couple of days ahead of the Reds’ return to action at Huddersfield Town on Saturday.”

#3 Naby Keita

Keita was injured during Guinea’s 1-1 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying draw in Rwanda.

The Guinean midfielder was carried off the pitch by a team-mate and is set to have a scan and some tests on a suspected hamstring problem.

#4 Virgil van Dijk

Van Dijk was sent home after Netherlands’ 3-0 win over Germany in the UEFA Nations League.

Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman however insists that it was merely a precautionary measure and that the Dutchman is fit to play against Huddersfield this weekend.

Arsenal

#1 Sokratis Papastathopoulos

Arsenal’s new recruit Sokratis Papastathopoulos sustained an injury during Greece’s 2-1 defeat to Finland on Monday.

The Greek defender is said to have developed an ankle problem and is currently being assessed by the North London club.

The center-back’s presence in the squad for Arsenal’s upcoming match with Leicester City is unlikely.

#2 Danny Welbeck

Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck was also forced to withdraw from Gareth Southgate’s England squad with a hamstring injury.

The former Manchester United man is currently being assessed to confirm if the forward will make a return to the squad this weekend.

Huddersfield Town

#1 Philip Billing

The Huddersfield Town midfielder was forced to return to West Yorkshire after picking up an injury while on international duty.

The Denmark Under-21 star was given a call-up to represent his country’s Under-21 team in their last UEFA European Championship qualifier against the Faroe Islands on Tuesday.

The youngster, however, decided to travel back to Huddersfield to get his injury assessed.

The Danish football association had announced his injury saying, “Philip Billing is incapable of making tonight’s important Under-21 international against the Faroe Islands.”

“He has therefore returned to his English club, Huddersfield Town – we wish him a good recovery.”

Everton

#1 Idrissa Gueye

Senegal star Idrissa Gueye had sustained an injury during his country’s 3-0 win over Sudan in an Africa Cup of Nations Group A qualifier where he also netted a goal.

The former Aston Villa man limped off the pitch in what appeared to be an ankle injury.

Whether Marco Silva will play Gueye for their home clash against Crystal Palace remains to be seen.