Key Absences Hit Premier League Giants Ahead of Midweek Fixtures

A number of Premier League clubs are grappling with significant player absences ahead of the anticipated midweek fixtures.

At Manchester City, defensive duo Ruben Dias (thigh injury) and Josko Gvardiol (leg fracture) are expected to be sidelined for several weeks, ruling them out of the upcoming match against Brighton. John Stones (thigh injury) and Mateo Kovacic (heel injury) are also unavailable for the team.

For Liverpool, doubts surround Hugo Ekitike's participation in the trip to face Arsenal due to a hamstring injury, while star player Mohamed Salah is on international duty with his national team.

Manchester United faces a race against time to prepare captain Bruno Fernandes, who is struggling with a thigh injury, for the clash against Burnley. Defender Harry Maguire is also out with a hamstring injury.

Chelsea will be without Mykhailo Mudryk due to suspension. Meanwhile, Tottenham will miss the services of James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski, both of whom are nursing knee injuries.

These absences are not confined to the top clubs alone but extend to many other Premier League teams facing depleted squads ahead of the midweek round. These include West Ham, Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth, Brentford, Crystal Palace, Aston Villa, Everton, Wolverhampton, Fulham, Brighton, Burnley, and Newcastle.

The reasons for these absences vary, encompassing various injuries, international commitments, and suspensions.