Five injured players who could be key when football resumes
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The Premier League may be on the backburner for now, buteventually it will return to its former jaw-dropping, ecstasy-inducingcrowd-roaring glory.
And when it does return, it also means players who wereinjured at the time of postponement could be back in action.
That of course, could have huge implications for the finalweeks of the season. We’ve had a good look up and down the table and come upwith five players whose return to fitness could have a major swing in the finalweeks…
Harry Kane
The Tottenham Hotspur striker hasn’t played for Spurs sincea New Year’s Day defeat to Southampton.
In his absence, Spurs have collected just 11 points from 24available in the Premier League. It’s left their top-four hopes hanging by athread as they entered the business end of the season without their talisman.
But Kane is likely to be fit by the summer and will surelyhave a positive impact on Tottenham’s points haul in the final weeks.
Marcus Rashford
While Jose Mourinho’s current club struggle, his old club ManchesterUnited seem to be getting things together, even without Marcus Rashford.
Rashford has been out since mid-January, and despite anearly wobble without the striker, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side were putting asolid run together – including wins over Chelsea and Manchester City – beforefootball was curtailed early.
Anthony Martial and Odion Ighalo have stepped up to theplate, but as and when the Premier League returns, the Red Devils will sorelywant their number 10 if they’re to grab a top-four finish.
Aymeric Laporte
Looking across to the other side of Manchester, and PepGuardiola has sorely missed Aymeric Laporte this season.
The composed Frenchman was supposed to take over VincentKompany’s role as chief defender, but injuries have ensured Laporte has playedjust seven league games this season.
The statistics paint the story here; City have won six anddrawn one of the seven league games Laporte has played in. Without him,Guardiola’s men have won just 12 of 21, losing seven times with two draws.
If Laporte is fit when the season resumes, City will be farbetter for it.
Tammy Abraham
Another one in the top-four battle. Chelsea faced going intothe final games of the campaign without striker Tammy Abraham.
The England international has missed three of Chelsea’s lastfour league games before the season ground to a halt, with the Blues picking upjust four points from a possible nine in his absence.
Chelsea have a host of teams snapping at their heels infourth, and they’ll surely be grateful to face their final nine games withAbraham fit and ready to play, having scored 13 league goals already thisseason.
John McGinn
Aston Villa fans may want the season to be written off giventhey’ve still got to play Liverpool, Man Utd, Chelsea, Arsenal and Wolves intheir final 10 games.
But at least by then they should have midfield maestro JohnMcGinn back in action. The Scotland international is currently out with anankle injury and Villa have struggled to fill his void in the middle.
If McGinn is back by the time the Premier League returns,Villa fans will have every right to be a bit more confident about their chancesof staying up.
All odds and markets correct as of date ofpublication
