World Football Injury Tracker: Week of Feb. 8 Report

By (World Football Lead Writer) on February 8, 2013

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With the weekend almost upon us, it's time to take a look at football's walking wounded to find out which players will make it out for their teams and which will be watching from the stands.

Here begins a new weekly feature at Bleacher Report, where we'll highlight the biggest clubs in Europe and look closely at their injury concerns heading into the big matches.

We'll be taking information from the clubs where possible, but also leaning on reputable sources to ensure the most up-to-date news on the fitness of your favorite players is right here where you need it.

Welcome to B/R's world football injury tracker for the week of February 8.

AC Milan

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Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images

Fixture: Cagliari vs. AC Milan, Sunday, 9 a.m. ET

Riccardo Montolivo will miss Milan's trip to Cagliari through suspension. Defender Daniele Bonera (thigh) is also out for Milan after getting hurt in a friendly match (Football-Italia.net).

Arsenal

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Michael Regan/Getty Images

Fixture: Sunderland vs. Arsenal, Saturday, 10 a.m. ET

Defender Thomas Vermaelen is definitely out for the Gunners with an ankle injury. Laurent Koscielny (calf) will have a fitness test before the game and could yet play at the Stadium of Light (Arsenal.com).

Aaron Ramsey (calf) is doubtful, having missed international duty with Wales this week, while Kieran Gibbs remains out with the thigh strain that prompted Arsene Wenger to sign Nacho Monreal in the January window (Mirror).

Barcelona

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David Ramos/Getty Images

Fixture: Barcelona vs. Getafe, Sunday, 6 a.m. ET

The biggest miss for Barca this weekend will be Xavi, with the midfielder ruled out with a hamstring injury. He is expected to return for their Champions League clash with AC Milan on February 20 (FCBarcelona.com).

Elsewhere, Barca are untroubled by injuries. 

Bayern Munich

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EuroFootball/Getty Images

Fixture: Bayern Munich vs. Schalke, Saturday, 12.30 p.m. ET

Powerhouse midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger missed Germany's midweek victory over France with an ankle injury and remains a big doubt for Bayern's home game against Schalke.

"Bastian has a real problem with the ankle," said Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes on Thursday (NDTV Sports).

Chelsea

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Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Fixture: Chelsea vs. Wigan. Saturday, 10 a.m. ET

Petr Cech (broken finger) and Demba Ba (broken nose) have both been passed fit for Chelsea's home game with Wigan on Saturday, but defender John Terry (knee) won't be available. (chelseafc.com)

Victor Moses and John Obi Mikel remain on African Cup of Nations duty with Nigeria, who are through to the final in South Africa on Sunday. 

Juventus

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Claudio Villa/Getty Images

Fixture: Juventus vs. Fiorentina, Saturday, 12 p.m. ET

Serie A leaders Juventus will be without Kwadwo Asamoah on Sunday, who remains on duty with Ghana at the African Cup of Nations as they prepare for their third-place playoff (Juventus.com).

Juve are reportedly doing everything they can to ensure Asamoah is back with them for their Champions League last-16 meeting with Celtic next week (SpyGhana.com).

Georgio Chiellini (calf) has been out since December, while Claudio Marchisio (hip) is "uncertain" when he'll return. (ESPNFC)

Liverpool

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Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Fixture: Liverpool vs. West Brom, Monday, 3 p.m. ET

Daniel Sturridge (thigh) and Raheem Sterling (dead leg) were ruled out of England senior and Under-21 duties respectively through injury this week, but both are expected to be back for Monday night's clash with West Brom at Anfield (Sky Sports).

Manchester City

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Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Fixture: Southampton vs. Manchester City, Saturday, 12.30 p.m. ET

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini will take one last look at captain Vincent Kompany (groin) in training before deciding whether he'll play against Southampton (Mirror).

City will welcome back Kolo and Yaya Toure to their squad, with both home from the African Cup of Nations after Ivory Coast's exit.

Manchester United

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Clive Mason/Getty Images

Fixture: Manchester United vs. Everton, Sunday, 11 a.m. ET

Manchester United look to have close to a full complement to draw from on Sunday, with Ashley Young (knee) and Michael Carrick (hip) having shaken injuries, and Phil Jones suitably recovered from contracting shingles.

"Ashley Young is fit again, Michael Carrick should be okay and Phil Jones will hopefully be okay," said Sir Alex Ferguson in Friday's press conference (ManUtd.com).

Real Madrid

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Denis Doyle/Getty Images

Fixture: Real Madrid vs. Sevilla, Saturday, 4 p.m.

Veteran defender Ricardo Carvalho (thigh) is doubtful for Real Madrid's home game with Sevilla (Goal.com), but Jose Mourinho appears to otherwise have a fairly clean bill of health in his squad—goalkeeper Iker Casillas (finger) being the notable exception. 

Tottenham

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Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Fixture: Tottenham vs. Newcastle, Saturday, 7.45 a.m. ET

Jermain Defoe (ankle) will be out for "two to three weeks" according to Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas, but Spurs do expect to welcome back Emmanuel Adebayor from African Cup of Nations duty on Saturday (BBC Sport).

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World Football Lead Writer

Will Tidey
Will Tidey

B/R's World Football Editor and Lead Writer, Will has written for ESPNsoccernet, CNN and Eurosport-Yahoo! and is the author of 'Life with Sir Alex,' released in March of 2012.
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