The physical state of the squad ahead of our EPL curtain raiser against Southampton this Saturday has been released, and it’s mostly positive.
The same way I like to eat the veg before tucking into the “good bits” of a roast dinner, I’m one to get the bad news out of the way first, then enjoying the good news in later. So with that shocking analogy, I’ll start with the bad news that Oliver Skipp’s seemingly innocuous foot injury is NOT an innocuous foot injury, but rather a nasty cut on the top of his foot that will require stitches. This will leave Skipp ruled out for a couple of weeks, which is a right shame given his injury problems last season.
However, the bad news ends there – although it was reported earlier that Yves Bissouma would DEFINITELY miss Saturday’s match with a hamstring injury he picked up against Roma, the injury is not thought to be as bad as initially feared, putting him in contention for a place in Saturday’s squad.
Moreover, Conte has commented on the struggles of Doherty and Perisic following long-term injuries the pair sustained last season, putting their involvement from the off in doubt. Given the relative lack of pre-season action the pair have had, it’s likely we will see last season’s wing-back pairing of Royal and Sessegnon start, but we’ll see. Of course, Richarlison is suspended following a retrospective ban picked up following flare-throwing antics with Everton.
Fear not, a match preview will follow…
Thanks for this thread Omar.
1st Prem game tomorrow at home v SOTS, so am going for a win, you have to don’t you, lol! COYS
Cheers Pompey, got the preview up now! Nothing less than a win will do indeed.
Give us this day our daily thread.
Anything less than three points in this first PL match of the season and weeping and moaning will fill the land. We really ought to win this match. No excuses not to do so.
Oh, wait. Richarlison has to sit wearing a dunces cap on the morrow. Oh woe are we.
three points still on, though.
goals to Kane, Son, and one of the newbies. Three goals and three points.