Supporters of Arsenal, Newcastle United, Liverpool, Manchester United, and QPR each have a player or two they are keenly praying will return back from injury better than ever. Who are they?
Steven Taylor
Taylor’s injury for Newcastle United was a blow the side took a while to recover from. The defender had become an integral part of manager Alan Pardew’s set up, and helped keep a number of clean sheets at the start of the season. When he was injured against Chelsea, Newcastle immediately suffered, crashing to a 4-2 loss to Norwich. Despite Mike Williamson’s return which has steadied the ship, the Toon defence still lack’s Taylor’s presence, as shown in their 5-2 loss at Fulham last month. It was also a real shame for the defender as he was displaying the form which would have put him in contention for a Euro 2012 call-up.
Lucas
The timing of the Liverpool midfielder’s injury was not the best. Throughout his Anfield career he had struggled to win over fans and pundits, but improved immeasurably under Kenny Dalglish. After a typically tenacious performance at home to Manchester City earlier in the season he seemed finally have won the praise he deserved. Only days later he was out injured for the season after suffering knee ligament damage in a Carling Cup clash with Chelsea. There is no positive slant to put on the injury, but at least Liverpool’s cup run so far indicates playing him in the match was not in vain.
Alejandro Faurlin
QPR had a really tough winter campaign, dropping from having a mixed-but-promising start to being a genuine relegation contender. Their challenge was made immeasurably tougher by the knee injury suffered by key midfielder Alejandro Faurlin. The Argentine had made the step up from Championship to Premier League football with ease, and was looking like a real class act in midfield. He even captained the team in the FA Cup match against MK Dons in which he was injured, but is not expected back this season and has been omitted from the club’s 25 man squad.
Nemanja Vidic
The Serbian defender is simply a colossus in Manchester United’s defence, and is already being sorely missed, as seen in the 3-3 clash at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. He was injured in United’s Champions League away game in Basel, and is not expected back this season. Despite the defensive talents of Rio Ferdinand, Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and Jonny Evans, none have been able to form a solid partnership for United, and his absence could be the difference between winning the league and finishing second.
Andre Santos
The Brazilian left-back was just starting to get going at Arsenal when he got injured. Signed by Arsene Wenger on transfer deadline day in August he was given a rough debut in a 4-3 defeat to Blackburn. He quickly improved and scored a terrific goal in the club’s famous 5-3 win at Chelsea. Soon afterwards he was injured in a Champions League dead-rubber, and is not expected back until mid-March. Arsenal’s defensive frailties have been exposed of late in the full-back position with kieran Gibbs also out at left-back and Gooners will wish him a speedy recovery.
Jack Wilshere
Arsenal fans are still living their worst case scenario of Jack Wilshere not having played a game all season coming into February. What’s more, is that his latest setback has pushed his comeback date back further, with fears he could be out for the season entirely. It is such a devastating blow for the youngster who had a superb breakthrough season last year, and the club as a whole. Wilshere’s injury is also casting a further shadow over England’s Euro 2012 preparations, with his ankle injury taking so long to heal, there are now doubts he could miss the tournament entirely.
Tom Cleverley
This should have been the season where Tom Cleverley became a Manchester United hero. It still can be, but like Wilshere, his injury has stunted his progress. In August Cleverley was outstanding, turning the match in the Community Shield, and putting in quality displays against Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal. He was then injured and played one game against Everton in October before suffering a further setback, and has been out ever since. He is now apparently back and available, and Manchester United fans will want to see him eased back into action sooner rather than later.
– Who else should be on our list?
image: © Ronnie Macdonald
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