Premier League Injured XI: The stars out of the sides

Mark Holmes
Wayne Rooney: Joined Manchester United injury list

Wayne Rooney: Joined Manchester United injury list

After Wayne Rooney joined the likes of Jack Wilshere and Kevin De Bruyne on the sidelines, Press Association Sport lists an XI of Premier League stars with long-term injuries.

GOALKEEPER

TIM KRUL (Newcastle United) – Ruled out for the season in October. Club games this season: 9

After Krul’s season was ended while on international duty with Holland in October, Steve McClaren claimed his absence could cost Newcastle ’18 to 20 points’.

DEFENDERS

ASHLEY YOUNG (Manchester United) – Injured in January, unlikely to return this season. Club games this season: 23

Young pulled up in the first half of United’s win over Liverpool in January, and manager Louis van Gaal said he would be gone for “a long, long time” with a “severe” groin injury.

JAN VERTONGHEN (Tottenham) – Ruled out for eight weeks in January. Club games this season: 27

The leader in Tottenham’s defence suffered knee ligament damage against Crystal Palace in January, and was ruled out for eight weeks as his side pursue the title.

KURT ZOUMA (Chelsea) – Ruled out for the rest of the season in February. Club games this season: 32

The diagnosis of damaged knee ligaments was sadly predictable after Zouma landed awkwardly in Chelsea’s match against Manchester United, and he will miss the rest of the season and Euro 2016 in his homeland.

LUKE SHAW (Manchester United) – Injured in September, return unknown. Club games this season: 8

The United left-back suffered a double fracture in his right leg during their Champions League defeat to PSV Eindhoven in September. Initial talk of a return in March has faded.

MIDFIELDERS

KEVIN DE BRUYNE (Manchester City) – Injured in late January, targeting April return. Club games this season (for City): 31

De Bruyne’s fine season came to a shuddering halt late as he suffered knee ligament damage in the Capital One Cup semi-final against Everton, expected to keep him out for 10 weeks.

JACK WILSHERE (Arsenal) – Injured in pre-season training, targeting March return. Club games this season: 0

The England midfielder fractured his left tibula in pre-season training, then suffered further setbacks in December and January. Arsene Wenger hopes to have Wilshere back by mid-March.

Jack Wilshere injuries

SANTI CAZORLA (Arsenal) – Injured in late November, targeting March return. Club games this season: 20

A hobbled Cazorla was forced to finish Arsenal’s match at Norwich after earlier injuries for Alexis Sanchez and Laurent Koscielny. He has already missed his initial target of a return within three months.

SAMIR NASRI (Manchester City) – Injured in training in October, targeting March return. Club games this season: 8

French playmaker Nasri suffered a horrible injury in training which required almost 100 stitches when his thigh muscle became detached from the bone. He is targeting a March return, but was left out of City’s Champions League squad.

FORWARDS

DANNY INGS (Liverpool) – Injured in October, unlikely to return this season. Club games this season: 8

Ings’ signing from Burnley was considered something of a coup for Liverpool but his first season at Anfield has been wrecked by a knee injury suffered in October.

WAYNE ROONEY (Manchester United) – Injured in February, expected to miss six weeks. Club games this season: 32

With United’s top-four challenge faltering and few alternatives up front, Rooney’s injury could prove a huge blow for United as it rules him out of a busy period of league, cup and European dates, including the Manchester derby.

Wayne Rooney’s injuries