Premier League injuries
The Premier League returns this weekend (Image: Getty)
The Premier League returns this weekend following a fortnight's international hiatus which has left several bosses without key stars. While international breaks offer managers an opportunity to regroup, they can also bring anxiety through potential injuries.
These setbacks are regrettably part and parcel of football, but when they happen under national team supervision, they can create additional strain. Sunday's Manchester Derby stands out as the weekend's marquee fixture, though Ange Postecoglou's return with Nottingham Forest against Arsenal runs it close.
Here, Express Sport examine all 20 Premier League sides to provide the latest injury updates.
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Arsenal
Mikel Arteta faces considerable fitness concerns ahead of Saturday's early encounter with Forest. Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus continue as long-term casualties, whilst Bukayo Saka remains sidelined with a hamstring problem that Arteta conceded could be "significant".
William Saliba pulled out of France duty after rolling his ankle at Anfield, with L'Equipe reporting he'll be absent for three to four weeks, meaning Cristhian Mosquera may continue filling in. Ben White is anticipated to return for the Forest clash, having been absent since the Manchester United encounter, whilst Christian Norgaard should also be fit and could make his Arsenal bow.
Aston Villa
Matty Cash, Amadou Onana and Boubacar Kamara are all doubts for Villa's clash against Everton. Cash sustained "a severe bruise" to his quadriceps whilst representing Poland during the international break, whereas Onana and Kamara are both nursing hamstring problems. Unai Emery faces a delicate balancing act with the trio, whilst Ross Barkley remains likely to be deemed lacking match sharpness.
Bournemouth
Cherries skipper Adam Smith picked up a hamstring problem prior to the international break. Lewis Cook remains doubtful with a knee complaint, and Enes Unal continues his recovery from a serious knee injury suffered last campaign.
Brentford
Vitaly Janelt may return to the squad after working on his fitness following injury. Paris Maghoma finds himself in a comparable situation, having been absent during pre-season through injury, whilst Gustavo Nunes continues his battle to regain full fitness. Yunus Konak might make his comeback after an ankle problem.
Read more: Rio Ferdinand makes new Arsenal Premier League title prediction three games in
Arsenal v Leeds United - Premier League
Bukayo Saka remains injured for Arsenal (Image: Getty)
Brighton
Mats Wieffer could feature for the Seagulls as they face Bournemouth, though Adam Webster and Solly March remain long-term casualties.
Burnley
Connor Roberts might make his comeback from a knee problem, though Jordan Beyer, Zeki Amdouni and Manuel Benson remain unavailable for Scott Parker's squad.
Chelsea
Doubt surrounds Cole Palmer's availability after he suffered a setback during the warm-up prior to Chelsea's 5-1 triumph at West Ham with a groin complaint. However, Levi Colwill (ACL) and Liam Delap (hamstring) are certainly ruled out for the immediate future.
Benoit Badiashile and Romeo Lavia are not expected to make a return just yet. "I don't think they will be back after the international break, but they will be closer," Enzo Maresca stated last month. Dario Essugo has had surgery on a thigh problem sustained while on international duty with Portugal's under-21s.
Maresca might rest Reece James on the bench after he played in both England matches during the international break; his playing time continues to be monitored at Chelsea.
Crystal Palace
Oliver Glasner managed to retain Marc Guehi on deadline day, but he does have injuries to contend with. Ismaila Sarr is out with a hamstring injury and Adam Wharton is also a significant doubt due to a muscle injury. Eddie Nketiah, Cheick Doucoure and Chadi Riad are all still sidelined, dealing with longer-term issues, but Matheus Franca is making a recovery from injury.
Everton
David Moyes began the season with a depleted defence, and Jarrad Branthwaite and Vitaliy Mykolenko were still missing from training earlier this week. Nathan Patterson is also doubtful, but we should know more after Moyes' pre-match press conference.
Fulham
Marco Silva could have a fully fit squad for the home match against Leeds on Saturday. Issa Diop missed the 2-0 loss to Chelsea before the break, but should be fit enough to rejoin the squad.
Read more: Eddie Howe turns on Alexander Isak as Newcastle boss slams £125m striker
Alexander Isak of Liverpool during a training session
Alexander Isak has been seen in training with Liverpool for the first time since joining from Newcastle United (Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Leeds
Goalkeeper Lucas Perri has already been ruled out for two games with a thigh injury, meaning Karl Darlow will start in goal at Craven Cottage. Daniel Farke has already spoken to the media and confirmed positive news on Ethan Ampadu and Ao Tanaka.
"Some good news with Ethan and Ao Tanaka," he said. "Since the beginning of this week, both have integrated in major parts of team training. We have 48 hours more, and we will take a late decision with them. It is possible we travel with both; it is also possible that neither will travel." However, question marks remain over strikers Lukas Nmecha, who missed training this week, and Joel Piroe, who has a bruised calf.
Liverpool
Alexander Isak could make his bow this weekend following a £125million switch from Newcastle, though his game time will be carefully monitored after a restricted pre-season. Arne Slot heaped praise on Sweden's handling of the forward during the international break after he was rested for the 2-2 stalemate with Slovenia and featured sparingly against Kosovo.
"We will treat Alex the same, so don't expect 90 mins every week, he missed pre-season and team sessions so we have to build him up gradually," Slot said. Anticipate Isak beginning amongst the substitutes.
Ibrahima Konate departed with cramp during the 1-0 triumph over Arsenal on August 31, but turned out for France earlier this week so will be available. Jeremie Frimpong could make his comeback this weekend, having resumed training following a thigh problem picked up last month.
Manchester City
Pep Guardiola is grappling with the most extensive injury list of any Premier League manager following Omar Marmoush's knee problem sustained whilst on international duty with Egypt. Rayan Cherki, Mateo Kovacic and Kalvin Phillips remain sidelined with long-term fitness concerns, whilst John Stones is another worry after withdrawing from England duty due to a muscle complaint.
Abdukodir Khusanov was withdrawn from the Brighton clash with a knock but should be available for the United encounter, though Josko Gvardiol has yet to feature this campaign. Phil Foden and Savinho could both make their return for the derby this weekend.
Manchester United
Matheus Cunha and Mason Mount sustained knocks during the victory over Burnley ahead of the international hiatus. Cunha has been sharing encouraging social media posts suggesting a potential comeback, whilst Diogo Dalot withdrew from international commitments with a muscle setback. Lisandro Martinez faces an extended spell on the sidelines with a knee complaint.
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Newcastle
The major concern for the Magpies centres on £55m summer signing Yoane Wissa, who suffered an injury representing DR Congo. "He won't make this game," Eddie Howe confirmed. "He is feeling the effects of the injury just before he came off. He will go away for tests and maybe see a specialist to see."
Fellow new signing Jacob Ramsey remains sidelined with an ankle problem sustained in the goalless stalemate with Leeds before the international break, whilst Anthony Gordon faces suspension following his red card for a reckless challenge on Virgil van Dijk. Howe is optimistic that Joelinton will be available after missing the previous fixture.
Nottingham Forest
Ola Aina sustained a knock whilst on international duty with Nigeria and is considered a significant doubt. Oleksandr Zinchenko is ineligible to feature against his parent club Arsenal. Nicolas Dominguez remains on the treatment table.
Sunderland
The Black Cats face a lengthy injury list with Romaine Mundle, Denis Cirkin, Leo Hjelde, Dan Ballard, Luke O'Nien and Aji Alese all ruled out through injury, though Niall Huggins may make his comeback this weekend.
Tottenham Hotspur
James Maddison, Radu Dragusin and Dejan Kulusevski are lengthy absentees, however Yves Bissouma and Dominic Solanke may feature this weekend. Solanke has been nursing an ankle complaint, whilst Thomas Frank appeared unconcerned about the problem that sidelined Bissouma last month.
West Ham
Graham Potter's sole concern appears to be Niclas Fullkrug, who returned from international commitments carrying a minor knock requiring evaluation. "We've got Niclas, who has had a slight issue with his calf from international duty, so he came [back] early. He's trained lightly today, so we'll see how he reacts," he said.
Wolves
All attention is on Jorgen Strand Larsen this weekend after the striker withdrew from international duty with Norway due to an Achilles problem. He was absent during the 3-2 loss to Everton on 30 August and his absence will be keenly felt if he's unable to play against Newcastle as well. Ki-Jana Hoever and Hugo Bueno are also set to undergo fitness assessments ahead of this weekend's match.