Missing in action
Several crocked stars will miss the big kick-off
LONDON: August has arriived and the start of the neew paign English is Premierless than Leaguea fortnigh cammht away.
With the likes of Josse Mourinho’s Manchesteer United and Antonio Conte’s Chelsea splashing the cash, the 2016-17 campaign promises to be just as exciting as the last.
But as the countdown to Saturday Aug 13 intensifies, not everyone is feeling the excitement.
Several stars, including some high profile summer recruits, will be forced to watch on from the sidelines due to injury.
Here we take a look at some of those unfortunate men that will have to wait a little longer to get back out on the pitch.
1. ILKAY GUNDOGAN
THE German midfielder became Pep Guardiola’s first signing at Manchester City after joining from Borussia Dortmund in June.
Unfortunately for the club’s fans and the 25-year-old, their opening clash with Sunderland will arrive too soon for him as he continues his recovery from a knee injury.
Gundogan, however, does hope to make his Premier League bow before the end of the month.
2. IBRAHIM AFELLAY
THE Dutchman enjoyed an impressive first campaign in England with Stoke following his move from Barcelona in 2015.
He featured 36 times for Mark Hughes’ side before he suffered a cruel blow in training towards the season’s end, tearing his knee ligaments in April.
The exciting midfielder is not expected to return until next year.
3. JAN VERTONGHEN
BIG Belgian defender Vertonghen was colossus for Tottenham Hotspur last season as he helped the North London side qualify for the Champions League.
An ankle injury picked up while representing his country at Euro 2016 will rule him out of the first few weeks of this campaign, although he is expected back shortly.
4. VINCENT KOMPANY
THE Manchester City captain is still recovering from the groin injury that ruled him out of this summer’s Euros.
New boss Guardiola will be hoping that the defender recovers on schedule to take his place at the heart of the Citizens defence in September.
5. LORIS KARIUS
JUERGEN Klopp went back to his homeland to snap up the goalkeeper from Mainz this summer.
The 23-year-old looked set to become Liverpool’s No.1 – but he will have to wait to show the Kop what he can do after breaking his hand during pre-season.
6. PER MERTESACKER
ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger has stepped up his search for defensive reinforcements after losing his towering centre-half.
The giant German is ruled out for a “few montths” after injuring his knee aggainst Lens a fortnigght ago.
7. . DANN NY WELBECK
MMERTESSACKER joins annotherttee long-termabsenannyin Da Welbeck the Guunners treatment room. The England striker is out untilu 2017 after damagiing his right knee at the end of last season.
8. CARL JENKINS SON
AT least Carl Jenk kinson will have plenty of compa ny inside the medical departme ent at Arsenal.
The fullback re eturned early from his loan sp pell at West Ham last season after tearing his cruciate ligam ent and is not expected to retur rn to fitness for several months.
9. STEPHEN IREL LAND
DON’T worry Gun nners – it is safe to look again.
This time it is StokeS who will be without one of th heir moreexperimbers. enced squad mem
Ireland joins te eam-mate Afellay on the sidelines a fter he suffered a double leg break i n training in May.
The 29-year-old d midfielder hopes to return before th he end of the year.
10. AARON CRESS SWELL
THE leftback has been a revelation for West Ham sin nce joining them from Ipswich in 20 014.
His form led to m many tipping him al up for aspirationsto an Euro England 2016, havca bu all-up hisinternationvenow in been theleadut put on hold due to da amaging his knee ligaments.
The 26-year-old d is expected to be out for at least fou ur months.
11. JOE GOMEZ
THE teenager joined Liverpool from Charlton annd impressed at leftback at the starrt of last season.
Torn knee ligaaments whilst on international duuty for England Under-21 last Occtober ruled him out for the remaiinder of the camhilles paign, and an Achcamhilles setback durs ing pre-season hasdurs ruled him out of the start of this seaason.
12. KURT ZOUMAA
CHELSEA’S defennce is set to be boosted by the return of Zouma in October.
The Frenchmaan impressed at centre-half for thee Blues last season before he was struuck down with a serious anterior crruciate ligament injury in Februarry. — The Sun, London