This article is part of our Fit or Miss series.
The Premier League injury list is pretty extensive this week but the most talked about one has to be the head injury incurred by Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris last weekend. After taking an accidental knee to the head from Romelu Lukaku, Lloris was briefly unconscious, prompting Lukaku and several Spurs teammates to immediately call for the medical staff. After speaking with the Frenchman for several minutes and then taking him off the field, Lloris was somehow allowed to return to the pitch by manager Andre Villas-Boas. The Tottenham boss said that Lloris seemed okay and subsequent tests performed the day after proved he was well enough to continue in the game.
One of the biggest things that we've learned about concussions and head traumas in recent history is that the effects are far worse in the long-term than in the short-term. Sure, Lloris may have seemed okay minutes after losing consciousness, but we have no idea if he will have any lingering issues because of the knock. Whether he thought, or AVB thought he could play is irrelevant. He should have been removed from the match and given time to rest and begin the healing process. Instead, the player, the manager and the medical staff put his future in danger by allowing him to keep playing. Let's all hope he avoids any serious issues and can continue his career in the fine fashion that he's shown as of late.
Crystal Palace vs. Everton
Out:Adlene Guedioura suffered two fractured ribs during a collision with West Brom's Boaz Myhill during last week's match and he is expected be out for at least four weeks. Jack Hunt (ankle) has started light jogging but he still doesn't have a specific timetable for a return. Glenn Murray (knee) is still months away from a return. Arouna Kone will require knee surgery soon and could miss the entire season. Darron Gibson remains out for the long-term after having knee surgery back in October.
Not Expected to Play:Jonny Williams (ankle) continues to recover well but will likely return after the international break. Patrick McCarthy (groin) is also likely to feature after the international break. Apostolos Vellios picked up a knock and will likely be held out. Antolin Alcaraz (hamstring) continues to work toward match fitness and could be available after the international break.
Expected to Play:Romelu Lukaku picked up a knee injury in a collision with Tottenham keeper Hugo Lloris last weekend but he has returned to training.
Chelsea vs. West Brom
Out:Billy Jones suffered a hamstring injury during last week's match against Crystal Palace and may even miss West Brom's first game after the international break, November 25 against Aston Villa. Ben Foster (ankle) could return by the end of the November. Marco van Ginkel (knee) could return late this season.
Not Expected to Play:Scott Sinclair (hamstring) continues to recover and will be given a late fitness test. Zoltan Gera (knee) and George Thorne (knee) each remain unlikely to return. Ryan Bertrand picked up a knock, although he was unlikely to break into the starting XI anyway, as Ashley Cole is back to full fitness. Fernando Torres had a setback with his thigh issue and likely won't be available until after the international break.
Expected to Play:Boaz Myhill suffered a slight Achilles injury during last week's match but is expected to be fit for Saturday. Victor Anichebe (hamstring) and Nicolas Anelka (illness), who both miss last weekend's match, are both expected to be fit. Eden Hazard was held out of Wednesday's Champions League match on Wednesday as punishment for skipping training Monday, but he's been assured he'll be back with the first team for Saturday's match.
Liverpool vs. Fulham
Out:Iago Aspas (thigh) is out until at least the beginning of December. Sebastian Coates remains out for awhile after suffering a torn ACL in August. Hugo Rodallega (groin) will miss the next five-to-six-weeks. Sascha Riether begins a three-match suspension for stomping on Manchester United's Adnan Januzaj last weekend.
Not Expected to Play:Matthew Briggs will continue to sit due to his hernia issue.
Expected to Play:Steven Gerrard picked up a small hip injury in last weekend's match against Arsenal but should be good. Glen Johnson has recovered from a localized jaw infection. Jose Enrique has recovered from his knee injury. Brede Hangeland missed last weekend's match against Manchester United with a sciatic nerve issue but should be good for a return Saturday.
Southampton vs. Hull City
Out:Sone Aluko, who was pulled out of last week's match against Sunderland after being named to the starting XI, will be out for eight-to-10 weeks with a torn Achilles. Allan McGregor (thigh) remains out until early December. James Chester (hamstring) could return after the international break. Guly do Prado's knee injury will keep him out.
Expected to Play:Alex Bruce picked up a thigh strain but should play. Pablo Osvaldo has missed the last three matches with a nerve issue in his leg but should be fit for a return.
Aston Villa vs. Cardiff City
Out:Gary Gardner (back) could resume training after the international break. Jores Okore (knee) could miss the entire season. Charles N'Zogbia remains out with a calf injury.
Not Expected to Play:Antonio Luna (hamstring) missed last week's match against West Ham and could miss another few weeks. Andreas Weimann suffered a pulled hamstring in last weekend's match. Joe Bennett didn't play against West Ham due to a back issue. Gabriel Agbonlahor continues to battle an ankle injury and is considered a major doubt, although in all likelihood he'll be given a late fitness test. Andreas Cornelius (ankle), who also seems close to returning, could see action after the international break.
Expected to Play:Fabian Delph missed last week's match with an illness but should be back.
Norwich City vs. West Ham
Out:Winston Reid suffered an ankle injury during training Tuesday and has been ruled out of Saturday's match and both of New Zealand's World Cup playoff matches against Mexico. Matthew Taylor (calf) and Mladen Petric are both sidelined with calf injuries. George McCarthy (knee) and Alou Diarra (knee) have just returned to training and aren't close to match fitness. Andy Carroll (foot) remains sidelined but could return to training somewhat soon. Ricardo Vaz Te is still out after dislocating his shoulder at the end of October. Elliott Bennett (knee) remains out for the long-term.
Not Expected to Play:Ricky van Wolfswinkel (foot) is close to a return but will likely miss the West Ham match.
Expected to Play:James Collins (hamstring) should be good to go and is expected to take Reid's place in the lineup. Nathan Redmond picked up a hip injury during a Capital One Cup match against Manchester United at the end of October but should be good to go. Robert Snodgrass has recovered from a concussion suffered in the same match against Man U.
Tottenham vs. Newcastle
Out:Ryan Taylor (knee) remains a long-term injury.
Not Expected to Play:Paul Dummett (hamstring) has starting running again but will wait until after the international break to return. Massadio Haidara (hamstring) will likely try to make his Premier League season debut after the international break. Steven Taylor (hamstring) is nearing a return but it's likely to come after the international break. Alexander Tettey had ankle surgery this week and will miss two-to-three months. Nacer Chadli remains sidelined with a hamstring injury. Danny Rose continues to be sidelined with an ankle injury but could return after the international break.
Expected to Play:Cheick Tiote suffered a muscle strain against Chelsea last weekend but is expected to be fit. Fabricio Coloccini (groin) was supposed to be out until Christmas but has already returned to training and is trying to be fit for this weekend. Kyle Naughton has been dealing with a thigh injury but played in Thursday's Europa League match against Sheriff Tiraspol. Etienne Capoue (ankle), who has been out since early September, started and played 57 minutes against Sheriff Tiraspol. Hugo Lloris, who was knocked unconscious during last weekend's match against Everton after taking a knee to the head from Romelu Lukaku, did not play in Thursday's match but is still expected to start against Newcastle.
Sunderland vs. Manchester City
Out:Stevan Jovetic (calf) and Vincent Kompany (thigh) are expected to return to training next week and will be available after the international break.
Not Expected to Play:Keiren Westwood missed this week's Capital One Cup match against Southampton with a neck injury but will be given a fitness test before Sunday's match.
Expected to Play:Fernandinho and David Silva each picked up knocks during Tuesday's Champions League win over CSKA Moscow. Javi Garcia picked up a knock earlier but should be good to go.
Swansea vs. Stoke City
Out:Michu is expected to miss up to a month after suffering an ankle injury in the South Wales derby.
Not Expected to Play:Garry Monk continues to battle a knee injury. Pablo remains sidelined with a thigh issue. Andy Wilkinson continues to be hobbled by a knee injury.
Expected to Play:Ben Davies, who has been battling an ankle injury, was able to play Thursday against Kuban Krasnodar in the Europa League.
Manchester United vs. Arsenal
Out:Yaya Sanogo remains out with a back injury, with no specific timetable for return. Lukas Podolski (hamstring) has returned to training and could be back on the pitch by the end of November. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (knee) is expected to return some time in December. Abou Diaby (knee) remains out until at least March.
Not Expected to Play:Jack Wilshere (ankle) missed Wednesday's Champions League match against Borussia Dortmund and is unlikely to play this weekend, as there is already talk that he could miss both of England's friendlies over the international break. Theo Walcott (abdomen) has returned to training, although Sunday may come too early for a return to match play. Rafael suffered an ankle injury in last weekend's match against Fulham and missed Tuesday's Champions League tie with Real Sociedad. Jonny Evans suffered a back injury against Fulham and also didn't travel to Spain for the Real Sociedad match. Darren Fletcher (illness) continues to work his way back to match fitness after a long layoff.
Expected to Play:Mathieu Flamini (concussion) is due back despite missing the Dortmund match. Tom Cleverley experienced double vision against Fulham but is expected to be fine. Michael Carrick missed the Fulham match with a calf injury but should be able to play Sunday. Danny Welbeck recently had fluid drained from his knee but he has returned to training.
