Advice for Physios #1

peakfootball — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 10:17:26 +0000

When using a stretcher, don't lift the injured players face repeatedly into your groin.

Rooney Ready to Resume Normal Service

peakfootball — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 10:09:22 +0000

I suppose recovery from fractured metatarsals gets easier with practise. After just one month out, Wayne Rooney is back and raring to go, although manager Alex Ferguson admits it's far from certain he'll start again former club Everton:

Rooney has trained very well and will travel. But whether I start him, put him on the bench or leave him out until Wednesday night, that's something I have to decide.

Delight for Barry as Hargreaves is ruled out

peakfootball — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 10:09:49 +0000

Gareth Barry will continue in central midfield after the double blow of losing both Frank Lampard and Owen Hargreaves struck England. Lampard returned to Chelsea's Cobham training ground over the weekend, whilst it was only today that a fitness test ruled Canadian-born Hargreaves out of tomorrow's tie with Russia.

It's a massive bonus for Barry, whose close friendship with Steven Gerrard enabled him to form an effective partnership with the Liverpool midfielder on Saturday.

Gerrard Fit, Hargreaves a doubt, and Robinson clings on

peakfootball — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 10:09:12 +0000

Steven Gerrard has been passed fit ahead of England's crucial tie with Israel at Wembley this weekend. His potential midfield partner, however, Owen Hargreaves, remains a doubt. Steve McClaren said:

It will be a big boost for everyone but most of all it will be a boost for Stevie Gerrard because he wants to play in this game. Owen Hargreaves also wants to play every game and we're giving him every opportunity, but we'll leave it up to the player and the medics.

West Ham Expected to Be Major Movers on Deadline Day

peakfootball — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 10:09:49 +0000

With the transfer deadline closing in just under 11 hours, West Ham are expected to be major players as they seek a quick fix for their injury jinx. New midfield signings Scott Parker, Freddie Ljungberg, Julien Faubert and Kieron Dyer have all been crocked, so Hammers boss Alan Pardew is believed to be lining up a move for Derby County's teenage winger Giles Barnes.

The Injured England XI

peakfootball — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 10:09:05 +0000

Ahead of this week's game with Germany, here is the team England won't be fielding.

In a 5-3-2 formation:

Ben Foster

Gary Neville
Sol Campbell
Michael Dawson
Johnathan Woodgate
Wayne Bridge

Aaron Lennon
Owen Hargreaves
Steven Gerrard

Wayne Rooney
Darren Bent

McCLaren looks to Golden Oldies

peakfootball — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 10:09:12 +0000

After the return of David Beckham, rumours are rife that Steve McClaren could recall the thirty-something pair of David James and Sol Campbell.

England, it seems, are becoming a venerable Dad's Army. With the youthful David Bentley missing the call for the right-wing position, I can only assume that McClaren is digging up Stanley Matthews' grave as we speak.

Injuries claim Solskjaer at last

peakfootball — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 10:09:31 +0000

At the age of 34, persistent knee injuries have finally called time on the career of Ole Gunner Solskjaer. His father, Oyvind, confirmed his retirement to the Norwegian press this morning:

He would have liked to stay on and was hoping for a 100% recovery, but something has happened with his knee which made it impossible for him to continue.

The Crocked King of Tottenham

peakfootball — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 10:09:16 +0000

Ledley King is a fantastic footballer. When fit, he's a shoe-in for pretty much every England squad. He's an outstanding centre-half, and a solid holding midfielder. But his knee is made of polystyrene.

It's a genuine shame. One of the most talented defenders of his generation has missed a huge amount of football due to chronic knee problems, and has once again been forced to admit there is no timescale upon a possible return.

No wonder Spurs are fishing around Curtis Davies.

Leroy Lita Injured In Bed

peakfootball — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 10:09:13 +0000

If we were The News of the World, this story would be very different. But we're not, and whilst certainly bizarre, this story remains entirely innocent.

Do frequent metatarsal injuries point to a winter break?

peakfootball — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 10:09:40 +0000

Like a figure in the corner, the ghost of his broken metatarsal still haunts Tim Cahill. The Australian midfielder limped out of Everton's 2-2 draw with Werder Bremen, and assistant manager Alan Irvine said:

He felt his foot which is a bit of a worry.

Can you feel your foot? If so, be worried. Irvine continues:

It obviously gave him a bit of a fright but we will just make sure he is ok.

Allardyce desperate for cover for injury prone squad

peakfootball — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 15:59:24 +0000

Sam Allardyce is so short of players in his injury hit Newcastle squad that yesterday he fielded London-bound Kieron Dyer. Allardyce says:

We used him because we were short and he played very well. But I don't think we can keep him, for the reasons I gave last week.

Whatever your opinions of the man, you can't help but feel for Allardyce as he picks up the pieces of years of profligacy and appalling decision making by the previous regimes. Newcastle have spent millions of pounds in wages on players who were very rarely fit: Dyer himself is a prime example.

Scholes to return to action in three weeks

peakfootball — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 11:59:12 +0000

Alex Ferguson described the fact that Scholes injury is not serious as "100% good news".

What was feared to be possible ligament damage was in fact just bruising on the cartilage. Scholes is likely to miss United's opening two games (the Community Shield against Chelsea and the home fixture against Reading), but will be free to return after that.

The fate of Owen Hargreaves remains slightly less clear. The £17m midfielder is suffering from knee tendinitis, and Ferguson is uncertain as to when he will finally be able to make his United debut. The manager said:

Cesc Fabregas flies home with a knee injury

peakfootball — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 11:59:09 +0000

PeakFootball.com can exclusively reveal that Cesc Fabregas was flown home from Arsenal's Austrian training camp last night with a knee injury.

Crock or Gold: West Ham sign Freddie Ljungberg in spite of injury history

peakfootball — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 11:57:32 +0000

West Ham are either very brave or very stupid. After the disastrous blow of losing Julien Fabuert, the Hammers moved to replace him with Sweden's international captain, Freddie Ljungberg. The problem? Ljungberg is arguably one of the most injury-prone players in the Premier League.

Peakfootball.com Launches 'The Treatment Room'

peakfootball — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 14:57:24 +0000

Whether you’re a fantasy football player looking to keep your team top of the table, or an anxious fan looking forward to Saturday, The Treatment Room is the place to come for the latest injury news from the Barclays Premier League.

Joey Barton will miss the start of the season

peakfootball — Sun, 22 Jul 2007 11:57:26 +0000

Unremarkably, Joey Barton will miss the start of the Premiership season. Remarkably, it's not due to suspension. He hasn't been up to his usual high-jinx of viciously assaulting team-mates or putting cigars out in peoples' eyes.

Hammers suffer "devastating" Faubert blow

peakfootball — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 11:57:52 +0000

strong>Question: What is more annoying than spending £6m on a new midfielder, only for him to miss the first half of the season with a ruptured achilles tendon?

The Walking Wounded set to face-off in LA

peakfootball — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 11:57:00 +0000

Two England Captains could take to the field of LA Galaxy's Home Depot centre on Saturday, each suffering with their own injury problems.

John Terry broke a toe in Wednesday's 1-0 win over the Suwon Bluewings. However, scans have since shown that it was merely a hairline fracture. He took a full part in training yesterday and is almost certain to face the Americans.

Money Can't Buy Beckham Fitness

peakfootball — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 11:57:59 +0000

Since his move to LA Galaxy, David Beckham has claimed that the long-distance flights involved will not have an adverse effect on his career. Yesterday, his manager Frank Yallop disagreed:

It was a long flight and it swelled up pretty bad and today he was not as comfortable as he should have been.

The perils of pre-season friendlies

peakfootball — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 14:57:55 +0000

In the first full weekend of pre-season, two top Premiership sides suffered significant injury scares.

In Arsenal's 2-0 victory over north London rivals Barnet, Jason Puncheon's late tackle on Denilson led to the 19-year-old being stretched off with what appeared to be a serious knee injury. However, scans revealed that Denilson should be able to return to training in "a few days".

Aurelio Injury Increases The Need For Heinze Signing

peakfootball — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 14:57:52 +0000

The ruptured Achilles tendon that ended Fabio Aurelio's season in April will keep him out of the Premier League's big kick-off.

Fergie In Park Confusion

peakfootball — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 14:57:08 +0000

Of the many possibilities that this headline implies, the sole truth is that Alex Ferguson has confirmed that Ji-Sung Park may be out until 2008 with a knee problem.

It was back in April when United decided to send Park to the United States to be operated on by Dr. Richard Steadman - the man credited with saving the careers of Alan Shearer and Michael Owen. Ferguson said at the time:

read more

Bale limps out of debut

peakfootball — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 13:57:55 +0000

Martin Jol is sweating on the fitness of £10m signing Gareth Bale, after the Welshman limped out of his debut match against St. Patrick's Athletic in Dublin.

Bale, who had impressed the Irish crowd with his set piece delivery, was replaced with nine minutes remaining, clutching his thigh as he departed.

Peak Football Launches

peakfootball — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 14:57:06 +0000

If you’ve ever:

1) glanced nervously at the stretcher-bearers as your spritely young striker’s hamstring pops for the umpteenth time
2) had to hurriedly change your Fantasy Football team to get rid of that left-back whose just torn his knee ligaments
3) broken your coccyx whilst attempting a spectacular overhead kick

then PeakFootball.com is for you.

Welcome to PeakFootball - a new blog aiming to bring you the latest football injury news, expert contributions from our parent sites, and the occasional piece of light-hearted joviality too. If you're lucky.