N’Golo Kante, Philippe Coutinho & the international stars at risk of missing Premier League return

After a seemingly never-ending international break, the Premier League returns this weekend with a host of mouth-watering match-ups – though the World Cup qualifiers have taken their toll with several stars picking up injuries and others racing to get back to the UK.

Barely 72 hours after finishing playing their World Cup qualifiers in Brazil and Ecuador, for example, key players from both Liverpool and Manchester United will need to be rushed back to England to make Saturday’s early kick-off.

[metro-zone-post-thumbnail-link]Even despite significant efforts being made to get the players back, such as providing private jets, they will still need to fight off jetlag and will receive fewer days to train than their European counterparts.

With so much on the line in so many crunch qualifiers, the latest round of international fixtures also proved to be a particularly bruising one, with many of the Premier League’s top teams losing important players to injury. That leaves plenty of doubts for this weekend…

ARSENAL

The Gunners have been dealt a triple injury blow in defence, with two of their first-choice centre-backs picking up knocks and Sead Kolasinac withdrawn at half-time of Bosnia’s World Cup qualifier. Shkodran Mustafi looks set to miss several matches beyond Saturday’s trip to Watford, all of which could necessitate a formation switch from Arsene Wenger. Alexis Sanchez has a big trip but usually plays regardless – although he’ll need to get over the heartbreak of World Cup failure.

CHELSEA

With Alvaro Morata already sidelined, the last thing Antonio Conte needed was more injury problems, but N’Golo Kante has put more pressure on an already small squad. Willian, meanwhile, has a long trip back from Brazil but would not necessarily be expected to start. At least Eden Hazard has racked up more minutes during the break.

LIVERPOOL

No manager will have been left cursing his luck quite as much as Jurgen Klopp over the international break. No sooner had Sadio Mane returned from suspension, he is now out for six weeks with a hamstring problem. To make matters worse, fellow attackers Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino have a long-haul flight back to the UK that will probably limit them to just one pre-United training session.

MANCHESTER CITY

Manchester City have the biggest South American contingent in the Premier League, meaning six players have mammoth journeys prior to the weekend match against Stoke City. The biggest issue for Pep Guardiola, though, is that Fabian Delph, who deputised so well for the inured Benjamin Mendy against Chelsea, picked up an injury with England. The alternative, Danilo, will have little preparation time.

MANCHESTER UNITED

With Paul Pogba already injured, Manchester United’s midfield options reduced even further when Marouane Fellaini pulled his hamstring playing for Belgium. Ander Herrera will almost certainly start in his place. Daley Blind also has a niggle, while Antonio Valencia, though suspended against Argentina, has one of the longest trips of any player. Romelu Lukaku survived his brief, and unnecessary cameo, on Tuesday night.

TOTTENHAM

Tottenham’s players were spared too many long trips, save for Davinson Sanchez, with the international break providing a chance for several of their injured players to work on their rehabilitation. Even Son Heung-min only had to go as far as Switzerland for South Korea’s friendly against Morocco.

… AND THE REST