Much to the bliss of the fans around the world, the Premier League resumes this weekend following the international break. The international break has been a combination of positives and negatives for several clubs.
While a few players have proven their worth and given a headache for the managers regarding team selection, several other players have succumbed to injuries further adding to the long injury list of players this season.
This playing XI comprises of top players who are unlikely to take the field this weekend owing to injuries. Let us take a look at the Matchday 4 Injured XI.
Trending
Goalkeeper
The Stoke goalkeeper Jack Butland was hoping to make a return to competitive football after the international break following an injury sustained before Euro 2016. To the agony of the shot-stopper, his recovery has taken a turn in the opposite direction and he could be out for as many as 10 weeks.
This will be a great blow for Stoke City as Butland is one of the top goalkeepers in the league.
Defenders
Tottenham will be without the services of Danny Rose for the away fixture against Stoke City this weekend. The attack-minded left back suffered a minor knock during the World Cup qualifier against Slovakia and could also end up missing the Champions League opening fixture against Monaco on 14 September.
The league returns after the international break with one of the most entertaining fixtures – the Manchester derby. Most likely to miss out on the fixture is Vincent Kompany, who is yet to make an appearance under Pep Guardiola. The Belgian centre-back has not featured in a competitive game since suffering an injury in the second leg Champions League defeat to Real Madrid.
Guardiola has confirmed that he will not rush the return of his captain to prevent another setback.
Partnering the above two in defence in the Matchday 4 Injured XI is Liverpool defender Ragnar Klavan, who sustained a knee injury when on international duty with Estonia. Although not serious, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp confirmed that the central defender will not feature in Liverpool’s clash against reigning champions Leicester City as a precautionary measure.
Midfielders
Screening the three-man defence of the Injured XI is Leicester City’s Nampalys Mendy. The French midfielder who was signed to fill the boots of the sensational N’Golo Kante had a disastrous start as he injured his ankle in his debut against Arsenal and has been ruled out of the weekend fixture.
In the centre of midfield are Crystal Palace’s Yohan Cabaye and Liverpool’s Emre Can. Yohan Cabaye will not feature in Crystal Palace’s fixture against Middlesbrough this weekend following the injury he picked up in the last league fixture against Bournemouth.
On the other hand, Emre Can has been struggling with an ankle injury since pre-season. Although back in training and on the brink of a return, Jurgen Klopp has ruled out the German midfielder for this weekend’s fixture against Leicester City.
Playing in the hole ahead of the central midfielders is Aaron Ramsey. The Welshman and Alex Iwobi suffered injuries during the opening day league fixture against Liverpool.
While the latter has recovered from the hip injury and is back in training, the Wales midfielder is ruled out of the clash against the Saints as well as the Champions League opening day fixture against Paris Saint-Germain.
Forwards and formation
The top forwards who will not take the field this week are Loic Remy, Andy Carroll and Xherdan Shaqiri. Loic Remy, out on loan from Chelsea, succumbed to a thigh injury during training and has been sent back to Chelsea for treatment. The pacy forward will return to Crystal Palace only once he approaches fitness.
After picking up a knee injury during West Ham’s Europa play-off fixture, Carroll is ruled out till mid-September. With Andre Ayew and Diafra Sakho already out with injuries, Slaven Bilic’s side is now short of options for the forward position following the tall striker’s injury.
Xherdan Shaqiri suffered a calf injury during the opening day fixture against Bournemouth and has failed to make an appearance since. Stoke City are currently at the bottom of the table having secured just one point so far and Potters boss manager Mark Hughes will hope that he returns to fitness at the earliest and helps convert their poor start to the league.
They line up as follows:
