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The Premier League is back this weekend after two weeks of international break. Over the years the international break has become infamous for the injury scares that follow. And this year too, things haven't changed, with key players facing time on the sidelines due to injuries.
In the aftermath of the latest international break, stars like Salah and Van Dijk find themselves recovering from minor injuries sustained while representing their nations. While some players have already joined full training for their clubs after a brief injury scare, the progress of others is still being closely monitored.
With the Matchweek 9 of the Premier League kicking off tomorrow, let us take a look at the 6 key players who look certain to miss out on the weekend action owing to their injuries.
#1. Wilfred Zaha
Wilfred Zaha was recalled midway through the international break after sustaining a thigh injury in Ivory Coast's Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, similar to the one which ruled him out of Palace’s home defeat by Southampton last month.
The fleet-footed winger looks set to face a spell on the sidelines due to the injury. Zaha is still being assessed by Crystal Palace's medical staff and they are yet to give out an update regarding his situation.
Eagles fans would be desperately hoping that their top-scorer returns to fitness before the weekend clash with Everton.
#2. Naby Keita
The Guinean midfielder was taken off the field in the first half of Guinea's Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Rwanda. And according to reports from Guinea, Keita faces up to two weeks off the field because of a hamstring injury.
The 23-year-old's injury proved to be another setback for Jurgen Klopp, whose Liverpool side are already facing injury scares from 3 key players.
The former RB Leipzig star is out of contention for starting against Huddersfield this Saturday.
#3. Idrissa Gueye
The instrumental Everton midfielder, Idrissa Gueye might be forced to spend some time on the sidelines, as he was on the receiving end of a crunching tackle from his Sudanese opponent in Senegal's 3-0 win over Sudan in their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, that forced him off the field.
According to the premierinjuries.com Gueye is still undergoing assessment for the ankle injury and as of now there is no fixed date for the return to the field of the 29-year-old.
#4. Ryan Fraser
One of the revelations of the season, Ryan Fraser has not trained since Bournemouth's 4-0 victory over Watford.
The 24-year-old was called back from international duty because of a hamstring problem, without featuring in Scotland's UEFA Nations League fixtures.
The Metro reported that Eddie Howie will make a late fitness decision on him.
‘"We’ll have to see with Ryan," Howe explained.
"He’s been carrying a hamstring injury for a few weeks, we’ll have to see and make a late decision on him, but he’s certainly a doubt."
#5. Sadio Mane
In a major setback to Liverpool's wonderful start to the season, it was confirmed that Mane fractured his left thumb during Senegal's 3-0 win over Sudan on Saturday.
The speedy winger didn't feature in the return fixture and was immediately assessed by Liverpool's medical staff.
In an official post, Liverpool later confirmed that the Senegalese successfully underwent a surgery on 17 October and his recovery is closely monitored.
Fortunately for the Reds injury concerns over Van Dijk and Salah were quashed as the duo took part in full training before their clash with Huddersfield.
#6. Nemanja Matic
The former Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic withdrew from Serbia's squad for the UEFA Nations League last week, due to a back injury.
He has been undergoing treatment at United's training base ever since. But, according to reports, he may not be able to recover in time for the showdown between Manchester United and Chelsea.
Sky Sports News also reported that he remains a major doubt for the trip to face his former club Chelsea at the Stamford Bridge.
