Premier League Injuries for Gameweek 28: Wirtz, Saka Among Possible Absentees

No Premier League clubs are free of injuries ahead of a critical round of fixtures.

Florian Wirtz missed last weekend’s clash with Nottingham Forest. | Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

The intensity and sheer volume of football matches these days mean injuries are a more regular occurrence than ever in the Premier League.

Those in European competition are forced to juggle domestic and continental commitments, further draining their depleted batteries, while even the clubs spared midweek excursions are at risk of a bad bout of injury misfortune.

As the campaign nears its conclusion and the stakes are raised, every manager wants their squad at full-strength for the run-in. However, none boast that luxury.

Here is the latest Premier League injury news ahead of Gameweek 28.

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Arsenal

Saka is a slight doubt. | James Gill/Danehouse/Getty Images

There was little to cause distress for the travelling Arsenal supporters at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last weekend, but the early withdrawal of Bukayo Saka through injury was an unwanted sight during their 4–1 demolition of Spurs. It certainly didn’t appear a significant issue for the Englishman, who walked off with ease, but he remains a doubt for the upcoming clash with Chelsea.

The same uncertainty surrounds Ben White and Kai Havertz, both of whom were unavailable for the north London derby. They appear likely to return after knocks, especially given the importance of Sunday’s game, but their comebacks are not guaranteed.

Arsenal currently have just two confirmed absentees for Chelsea’s visit, with Max Dowman and Mikel Merino residing in the treatment room.

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Chelsea

Marc Cucurella is a big miss for the Blues. | Robin Jones/Getty Images

Chelsea are certain to have four absentees through fitness issues for the trip to the Emirates Stadium, with left back Marc Cucurella having recently joined an extensive injury list. Much like clubmate Jamie Gittens, he will miss out with a hamstring problem.

Levi Colwill has been absent for the entire season with an ACL injury, while various ailments have robbed Dário Essugo of his Premier League debut—the summer recruit is back training but unlikely to feature.

There are doubts over Filip Jörgensen and Estêvão, too. The latter’s speed and impact from the bench would be missed against Arsenal if the hamstring complaint that ruled him out of the Burnley draw last weekend sidelines him once again.

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Liverpool

Florian Wirtz was injured in Liverpool’s warm-up at the City Ground. | Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images

Liverpool struggled without the creativity of Florian Wirtz in their fortuitous 1–0 win at Nottingham Forest, the German injuring his back during the warm-up at the City Ground. Arne Slot had initially expected him back in time for Saturday’s meeting with West Ham United but has now admitted he has “no idea” when we will see Wirtz again.

Jeremie Frimpong could also make his return against the Hammers after missing the last five games with a groin injury. Fellow right back Conor Bradley won’t, however, as he’s out for the season, while emergency option Wataru Endo is also sidelined.

Alexander Isak is expected to return around the March international break after breaking his leg just before Christmas, but his comeback remains some way in the distance. Young defender Giovanni Leoni is another long-term absentee after tearing his ACL on his debut.

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Manchester CIty

Jérémy Doku could return to the City team. | Joe Prior/Visionhaus/Getty Images

Man City’s Croatian contingent is currently residing on the sidelines as long-term injuries to Joško Gvardiol and Mateo Kovačić continue to restrict Pep Guardiola’s options in defense and midfield respectively.

Max Alleyne remains a doubt after being withdrawn in the first half of City’s FA Cup fourth round win over Salford City, while Jérémy Doku is not guaranteed to make his comeback in the weekend’s trip to Leeds United.

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Manchester United

Lisandro Martínez is a doubt for United’s next outing. | James Gill/Danehouse/Getty Images

Lisandro Martínez was absent for Manchester United’s narrow 1–0 win at Everton on Monday night, the Argentine potentially missing the upcoming visit from Crystal Palace this Sunday, too—the fixture in which he tore his ACL last February.

Michael Carrick is also without Matthijs de Ligt, who has been absent since the end of November, meaning he’s light of options at center back. Versatile left back Patrick Dorgu is on the treatment table as well.

Mason Mount is nearing his return from injury but it remains to be seen whether he will be fit for the weekend.

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Premier League Injuries Ahead of Gameweek 28

Arsenal

Player	Injury Type	Status
Kai Havertz	Muscle	Doubt
Bukayo Saka	Knock	Doubt
Ben White	Knock	Doubt
Max Dowman	Ankle	Out
Mikel Merino	Foot	Out

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Aston Villa

Player	Injury Type	Status
Alysson	Knock	Doubt
Harvey Elliott	Knock	Doubt
Boubacar Kamara	Knee	Out
John McGinn	Knee	Out
Youri Tielemans	Ankle	Out

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Bournemouth

Player	Injury Type	Status
Matai Akinmboni	Fitness	Doubt
Lewis Cook	Hamstring	Out
Ben Gannon-Doak	Hamstring	Out
Justin Kluivert	Knee	Out
Julio Soler	Hamstring	Out

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Brentford

Player	Injury Type	Status
Aaron Hickey	Knock	Doubt
Michael Kayode	Knock	Doubt
Fábio Carvalho	Knee	Out
Josh Dasilva	Knee	Out
Antoni Milambo	Knee	Out

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Brighton & Hove Albion

Player	Injury Type	Status
Yasin Ayari	Shoulder	Doubt
Solly March	Fitness	Doubt
Stefanos Tzimas	Knee	Out
Adam Webster	Knee	Out

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Burnley

Player	Injury Type	Status
Zeki Amdouni	Knee	Out
Jordan Beyer	Hamstring	Out
Armando Broja	Knock	Out
Josh Cullen	Knee	Out
Connor Roberts	Achilles	Out
Mike Trésor	Ankle	Out
Axel Tuanzebe	Achilles	Out

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Chelsea

Player	Injury Type	Status
Estêvão	Hamstring	Doubt
Filip Jörgensen	Knock	Doubt
Dário Essugo	Knock	Out
Levi Colwill	Knee	Out
Marc Cucurella	Hamstring	Out
Jamie Gittens	Hamstring	Out

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Crystal Palace

Player	Injury Type	Status
Maxence Lacroix	Thigh	Doubt
Cheick Doucouré	Knee	Out
Jefferson Lerma	Hamstring	Out
Jean-Philippe Mateta	Knee	Out
Eddie Nketiah	Hamstring	Out

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Everton

Player	Injury Type	Status
Mark Travers	Hand	Doubt
Carlos Alcaraz	Knock	Out
Jack Grealish	Foot	Out

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Fulham

Player	Injury Type	Status
Sasa Lukić	Hamstring	Doubt
Antonee Robinson	Ankle	Doubt
Kevin	Knock	Doubt
Samuel Chukwueze	Calf	Out

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Leeds United

Player	Injury Type	Status
Noah Okafor	Hamstring	Out

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Liverpool

Player	Injury Type	Status
Jeremie Frimpong	Groin	Doubt
Florian Wirtz	Back	Doubt
Stefan Bajčetić	Hamstring	Out
Connor Bradley	Knee	Out
Jayden Danns	Hamstring	Out
Wataru Endo	Foot	Out
Alexander Isak	Ankle	Out
Giovanni Leoni	Knee	Out

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Manchester City

Player	Injury Type	Status
Max Alleyne	Knock	Doubt
Jérémy Doku	Calf	Doubt
Joško Gvardiol	Leg	Out
Mateo Kovačić	Ankle	Out

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Manchester United

Player	Injury Type	Status
Lisandro Martínez	Calf	Doubt
Mason Mount	Knock	Doubt
Matthijs de Ligt	Back	Out
Patrick Dorgu	Hamstring	Out

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Newcastle United

Player	Injury Type	Status
Jacob Ramsey	Hamstring	Doubt
Bruno Guimarães	Hamstring	Out
Emil Krafth	Knee	Out
Tino Livramento	Hamstring	Out
Lewis Miley	Leg	Out
Fabian Schär	Ankle	Out

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Nottingham Forest

Player	Injury Type	Status
Willy Boly	Knee	Out
Nicolò Savona	Knee	Out
Matz Sels	Groin	Out
John Victor	Knee	Out
Chris Wood	Knee	Out

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Sunderland

Player	Injury Type	Status
Jocelin Ta Bi	Ankle	Doubt
Brian Brobbey	Knock	Doubt
Dennis Cirkin	Knock	Doubt
Nordi Mukiele	Calf	Doubt
Romaine Mundle	Knock	Doubt
Bertrand Traoré	Knee	Doubt
Reinildo	Knee	Out

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Tottenham Hotspur

Player	Injury Type	Status
Pedro Porro	Hamstring	Doubt
Rodrigo Bentancur	Hamstring	Out
Lucas Bergvall	Ankle	Out
Kevin Danso	Foot	Out
Ben Davies	Ankle	Out
Mohammed Kudus	Thigh	Out
Dejan Kulusevski	Knee	Out
James Maddison	Knee	Out
Wilson Odobert	Knee	Out
Destiny Udogie	Hamstring	Out

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West Ham United

Player	Injury Type	Status
Pablo Felipe	Calf	Out
Łukasz Fabiański	Back	Out

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Wolverhampton Wanderers

Player	Injury Type	Status
Leon Chiwome	Knee	Out
Hwang Hee-chan	Calf	Out

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Other Key Injuries

Tottenham’s injury list is unforgiving. | Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images

Tottenham’s surprise entrance into the relegation battle has been partly caused by a ridiculous amount of bad luck in the injury department. Nine players are certain to miss Gameweek 28, including the likes of Mohammed Kudus, James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur.

Brazilian enforcer Bruno Guimarães remains a major miss for Newcastle United as they chase continental qualification, while their fierce local rivals Sunderland might be forced to cope without Brian Brobbey and Nordi Mukiele for the upcoming clash with Bournemouth as they seek to leapfrog the Magpies.

Aston Villa’s decline can be attributed to the absence of their midfield trio of John McGinn, Youri Tielemans and Boubacar Kamara, with Unai Emery’s engine room stretched for this Friday’s Midlands derby against last-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Brentford sorely missed the long throws of Michael Kayode in the defeat to Brighton and are sweating on the Italian’s fitness as they push for a surprise European berth. Everton, who are also in the hunt for continental football, are still trying to energize their attack without long-term absentee Jack Grealish.

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