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With the international break underway, some clubs must be relieved for some time to ease a growing injury list.
The current number of players out injured makes up 16.2 per cent of the total players injured in the Premier League last season, with clubs dealing with an absence crisis.
Both Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag and Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola have previously spoken out about the expanding schedule, expressing their concerns over the physical toll on players and their ability to adapt to this overload.
But the Blades currently top the injury table – which might help explain their current relegation battle with just one win all season – with nine players sidelined.
Tottenham’s James Maddison goes down after suffering an ankle issue against Chelsea
Newcastle’s mounting injury list was exacerbated by Miguel Almiron’s thigh problem
Sheffield United currently have almost an entire team out sidelined (James McAtee pictured)
They are level at the top of the injury table with Newcastle. The Magpies hope to repeat last year’s top-four finish, however they have been hit by a wave of injuries, something Kieran Trippier pointed out to frustrated fans as they lost to Bournemouth last weekend.
Manager Eddie Howe has discussed his fears surrounding injury absences, with Miguel Almiron added to the list of players on the sidelines after suffering a thigh muscle injury just before half-time.
Their injury hit doesn’t stop there, with a tight hamstring forcing Callum Wilson to withdraw from the England squad. Newcastle have lost their top goalscorer this season without confirmation of when he will return.
However, there are some positives for the Magpies with four players – Harvey Barnes, Sven Botman, Jacob Murphy and Alexander Isak – all set to return by the end of the month.
There is also increasing concern for Tottenham’s injury status. The club has lost two consecutive games, having not previously suffered defeat.
With Cristian Romero facing a three-match suspension for his kick of Enzo Fernandez, the eight injury absentees may lead to dire consequences for the club’s current top four position.
James Maddison was forced to come off following an ankle injury during Tottenham’s 4-1 loss to Chelsea last week.
Hopes of a quick recovery were lost when Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou announced Maddison is not set to return until January next year.
There are talks about who will replace Spurs key playmaker, who is an exciting and unstoppable force when working in tandem with Son Heung-min.
Manchester United forward Rasmus Hojlund comes off with an injury during the Luton game
Midfielder Christian Eriksen was also forced off during the same fixture last weekend
Postecoglou has spoken on the matter, claiming Maddison’s qualities are irreplaceable and whilst Giovani Lo Celso was predicted to replace Maddison in the No 10 position against Wolves, Yves Bissouma started instead with Lo Celso replacing him in the 75th-minute.
The Chelsea game also saw their centre-back Micky van de Ven taken off for his hamstring and he is not set to return until the new year.
Postecoglou has some tough decisions to make going forward if Tottenham want to maintain their fight at the top of the league.
Man United have struggled with ongoing injuries since last summer. The club lost key defenders Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw at the beginning of the season.
While United are one position lower than they were this time last season, things are looking up for the club injury-wise.
Rasmus Hojlund and Shaw are set to return before December, with Christian Eriksen and Jonny Evans the following month.
With the exception of Tyrell Malacia, United should have an injury-free squad by February next year.
Chelsea have faced reports of poor injury maintenance and management after a change in ownership last season, although manager Mauricio Pochettino has reassured fans that this is not a systematic club issue.
Nottingham Forest’s Murillo is checked over by their medical staff against West Ham
The Blues held the title for the worst injury record last season. The club has faced a growing list of absent players continuing from when they lost forward Christopher Nkunku to a knee injury in pre-season.
Trevoh Chalobah and Carney Chukwuemeka both faced setbacks last month from previous injuries this season.
On a positive note, Chelsea’s past two results have earned them four points and the club’s injury problems appear to have plateaued, with Ukrainian winger Mykhailo Mudryk back on the pitch.
A return date for Nkunku has also been announced, suggesting he could join Romeo Lavia in returning after these internationals.
Despite losing Kevin De Bruyne, who underwent hamstring surgery in late summer, Manchester City started the season with a relatively low injury record.
Nevertheless, this month has seen City’s injury total increase with the likes of John Stones and Nathan Ake joining Sergio Gomez on the sidelines.
Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson suffered a foot injury during their 4-4 draw at Chelsea
Stones’ recent muscular problems are worrying for the club – when City won their first game of the season with Rodri, Guardiola put this down to the brilliance of Stones.
Following Ake’s injury, Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol may be set to take on the centre-back role. City’s knocks continued in their recent draw with Chelsea on Sunday, resulting in a foot injury for Ederson which caused him to withdraw from the Brazil squad.
After the break, City may have to prepare to face Liverpool without Stones and Ederson. Conversations are forming around De Bruyne’s return with Guardiola hinting this may be soon.
Gomez is set to return to training by the end of this month and although Stones will not be available until after the international break, City’s boss announced in a press conference last Friday that the damage might not be as bad as initially feared.
Although over 100 Premier League players are currently unavailable for matches due to injury, some teams have managed to stay at the bottom of the injury table.
Clubs such as West Ham, Fulham, Crystal Palace, Nottingham Forest and Everton need to utilise their position when other clubs are facing shortages in order to earn key points.
