International break: Which players could be returning to London’s Premier League clubs injured?
International breaks are always a stressful time for Premier League clubs, with stars often picking up injuries.
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Hide AdThomas Tuchel and Nuno Espirito Santo are among the managers sweating on the fitness of their returning stars ahead of this weekend’s Premier League games.
LondonWorld rounds up all of the injury news before the important clashes this weekend.
Chelsea
Talisman Romelu Lukaku was on target as Belgium beat the Czech Republic, but he immediately announced that he was feeling some discomfort in his knee and would require a scan before returning to Stamford Bridge.
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Hide AdHis international teammate Christian Pulisic took a shin-to-knee knock last night, when the United States took on Honduras in World Cup qualifiers.
Before that, midfielder N’golo Kante also withdrew from the French national team that was due to play Bosnia & Herzegovina due to immense pain in his ankle.
The 30-year-old midfield powerhouse had previously picked up a knock, and was replaced at half-time against Liverpool before the international break.
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Hide AdTottenham
Spurs also have their own injury concerns with South Korean forward Son Heung-Min, forced to sit out his country’s game against Lebanon last Tuesday.
The decision to send him back to London early was later explained as precautionary, though the 29-year-old is said to have sustained a calf injury while training on Monday.
Portuguese manager Nuno Espirito Santo is also hoping that midfielder Oliver Skipp will be fit enough for the early kick-off against Crystal Palace, after he limped off during the England U-21 game.
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Hide AdDutch forward Steven Bergwijn will also be assessed before the game, after appearing to pick up a knock during the Netherlands’ win against Turkey.
He was later shown to have a pack of ice on his left ankle.
Arsenal
Midfielder Granit Xhaka has been ruled out of the game against Norwich, though there is some good news for Mikel Arteta.
He can now call on midfielder Thomas Partey (ankle) and striker Eddie Nketiah (ankle), who both trained with the U-23 team during the international break.
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Hide AdBrentford
The Bees will also hope to have Nigeria midfielder Frank Onyeka back after he tested positive on the eve of the Aston Villa game before the international break.
The 23-year-old joined from FC Midtjylland and played in the first two games before being forced out by Covid-19.
Crystal Palace
Patrick Vieira will be hoping to finally call on experienced midfielder Luka Milivojevic.
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Hide AdThe Serbian hasn’t featured all season due to personal reasons, but should be able to add to the numbers this weekend when Tottenham come to Selhurst.
There are injury concerns though with Jeffrey Schlupp returning from international duty with a hamstring problem. He will be assessed before the early kick off.
West Ham
The Irons will be hoping that striker Michail Antonio will not be jet-lagged after he touched down from Jamaica this morning.
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Hide AdThe London-born striker has been on form for the Hammers, bagging four goals in his first three games.
The Hornets are still waiting on Ben Foster, who has been struggling with a hamstring injury since that start of the season.
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