Injuries, a word that a footballer truly dreads. Express takes a look at some of the prominent EPL players who have missed lot of action with knocks & bruises...
Jack Wilshere Arsenal: The England international, unsurprisingly, heads this list. He was fit and firing just as the season climaxed last year – two goals for England in June – underlining a new found zest in front of goal. However, just as Arsenal were preparing for a new season, the midfielder broke down after suffering a hairline fracture of his left fibula in the first week of August. An imminent return to action has already been ruled out.
Danny Welbeck Arsenal: Another Arsenal player and another short-term injury that has prolonged well beyond the initial diagnosis. He was injured in April and was expected to just miss the next three weeks. That has since become months. His last match for the Gunners was a 0-0 draw against Chelsea on April 26.
Daniel Sturridge Liverpool: A player who has missed more games than he has played since his move to Liverpool, Sturridge has just not been able to get his season going. He excelled in a League Cup clash against Southampton but has once again been forced to spend time in sick bay. Having already suffered three seperate injuries since Jurgen Klopp was appointed, expect the striker and his boss to carefully plan his rehab.
Marcos Rojo Manchester United: The Argentine defender was supposed to be a solution at the heart of United’s back four. He has since become a stop-gap mainly because of his continued struggles against niggly injuries that has kept him out of a run of games. A dislocated shoulder in the beginning of December put him out of his misery.
Vincent Kompany Man City: The centre back’s importance to the Citizens cannot be understated. They have lost and conceded loads in his absence but have remained the invincible, unbeatable wall in his presence. He is like the leader of the Night’s Watch but City cannot afford to have him out any longer.