We’ll get an official update from Steve Bruce on Friday, but it looks like we have several fitness concerns heading into this weekend’s daunting trip to Old Trafford.
There’s the hope a few of our recently absent players (Shelvey, Hayden and Darlow) will have used the international break as a vital period of recovery, however there’s major question marks handing over the likes of Callum Wilson, Ryan Fraser and Miguel Almiron heading into Saturday’s game.
Here’s a closer look at the SEVEN players who could yet miss the Man Utd game and why:
Callum Wilson – Forced off in the 2-2 draw with Southampton with a thigh injury. The Gazette claim there’s ‘fears’ he could be missing for a ‘number of weeks’, making him a doubt for Saturday’s game.
Ryan Fraser – Withdrew from Scotland’s squad with a ‘knock’, however images have emerged of him leaving the team hotel on crutches and in a protective boot, suggesting he it may be slightly more serious.
Miguel Almiron – Paraguay have contacted FIFA over our refusal to release the attacker for international duty due to quarantine rules, asking that he is made ineligible to play at Old Trafford as a result. He’s fit, but might yet be banned.
Jonjo Shelvey – Bruce stated back on August 24th that a calf injury would keep him out for ‘at least’ three to four weeks.
Martin Dubravka – Ruled out for ‘two months’ in the latest update at the end of August, meaning the trip to Old Trafford will come far too soon. He had surgery on his foot over the summer, but has suffered a setback after the wound became infected.
Karl Darlow – The Times reported last week that he was back in training and in contention to return. However, after so long out with a bad bout of Covid, it seems unlikely he immediately replaces Freddie Woodman; who has done little wrong.
Isaac Hayden – Missed the 2-2 draw with Southampton after failing to reappear for the second half of our 2-0 defeat at Aston Villa. Bruce said he’d returned to training just before our last outing, so we’ll have to hope he’s OK to return for this one.
We also have Fabian Schar, Jamal Lewis, Jeff Hendrick and Emil Krafth due back from international duty in the coming days, so we’ll have to hope all four return unscathed.
