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Eden Hazard, Heung-min Son: Premier League players at risk of missing start of season

Chelsea's Eden Hazard reacts during the Emirates FA Cup, Quarter Final match v Manchester United at Stamford Bridge, London
Image: Eden Hazard is among a host of players set to miss the start of the season

Summer upon us and Premier League footballers across the country are enjoying a well-earned break after an arduous season.

For a select few, though, the summer intermission represents a vital opportunity to recover from injury and regain fitness before the dawn of the new campaign.

However, with the Premier League season getting underway on August 12, many are in danger of missing their club's opening fixtures and, in some cases, even further.

Here, with the help of PhysioRoom, we take a look at the players who are battling to be fit for the start of the 2017/18 campaign...

Santi Cazorla (Arsenal)

Injury: Plantaris tendon

Expected return date: November 4, 2017

Santi Cazorla's last appearance for Arsenal came against Ludogorets in December
Image: Santi Cazorla's last appearance for Arsenal came against Ludogorets in October

The Arsenal fan-favourite has become something of a forgotten man at the Emirates, given the longevity of his spell on the sidelines. The Spain international last featured in October's Champions League victory over Ludogorets, before a tendon issue forced him off. Cazorla underwent surgery in December but failed to recover in time to feature again last term, and a lengthier-than-expected recovery means his spell on the sidelines could surpass 12 months.

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Jack Wilshere (Arsenal)

Injury: Fractured leg

Expected return date: Unknown

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 15: Jack Wilshere of AFC Bournemouth goes down injured during the Premier League match b
Image: Wilshere faces a race to be fit for the new season after yet another injury setback

Wilshere's renaissance at Bournemouth was cut short when he fractured his leg against Tottenham in April. The 25-year-old returned to Arsenal to begin rehabilitation but it appears the start of the new campaign will come too soon for the midfielder, whose career continues to be ravaged by injury.

Callum Wilson (Bournemouth)

Injury: Ruptured knee ligament

Expected return date: October 21, 2017

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 10: Callum Wilson of AFC Bournemouth reacts during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and West Bromwich Albi
Image: Wilson suffered his second serious knee injury in as many seasons

Having missed the majority of the 2015/16 campaign with a ligament injury to his right knee, Bournemouth striker Wilson suffered a similarly severe injury to his left knee midway through last season. The 25-year-old is expected to be out until early October, ruling him out of at least eight of the Cherries' opening Premier League games.

Dean Marney (Burnley)

Injury: Ruptured knee ligament

Expected return date: October 7, 2017

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 22:  Mesut Ozil of Arsenal is challenged by Dean Marney of Burnley during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Burnley at
Image: Marney seriously injured his knee following this challenge with Ozil

Marney's season came to an abrupt end in January when he came off second best in a challenge with Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil, ruling him out for the rest of the campaign. Clarets boss Sean Dyche warned Marney faced a "long period of rehab", and the 33-year-old looks set to miss the first seven games of the new season.

Eden Hazard (Chelsea)

Injury: Fractured ankle

Expected return date: September 16, 2017

Premier League champions Chelsea will be without Hazard for the start of their title defence after he broke his ankle while training with Belgium. The Blues expect to be without their talisman for three months after he underwent surgery, but he could be back in time to feature against Arsenal in mid-September.

Yannick Bolasie (Everton)

Injury: Ruptured knee ligament

Expected return date: January 1, 2018

Yannick Bolasie is treated during the draw with Manchester United
Image: Bolasie has been out of action since injuring his knee against Manchester United

The winger's promising start to life at Goodison Park was curtailed by a significant knee injury in December, which has since required two operations to repair his meniscus and cruciate ligament. Bolasie is expected back in the New Year but the 28-year-old is hoping to be back in December.

Bolasie targets Christmas return
Bolasie targets Christmas return

Everton winger Yannick Bolasie hoping to return by end of year

Seamus Coleman (Everton)

Injury: Double-leg fracture

Expected return date: Unknown

Republic of Ireland's Seamus Coleman is injured during the World Cup Qualifying, Group D match v Wales at the Aviva Stadium
Image: Coleman was carried from the field following his leg break against Wales

Coleman suffered a fracture to his tibia and fibula following a challenge with Neil Taylor in an ill-tempered World Cup Qualifier between the Republic of Ireland and Wales in March. The initial prognosis ruled Coleman out of action for at least five months, meaning he is unlikely to return in time for the start of the campaign, even if his recovery is seamless.

Ilkay Gundogan (Man City)

Injury: Ruptured knee ligament

Expected return date: September 2, 2017

Ilkay Gundogan receives treatmentbefore leaving the pitch
Image: Injury hampered Gundogan's impressive start to life at City

Fitness problems have stifled Gundogan's progress in recent seasons and they resurfaced just four months into his City career when a knee injury halted his bright start to life in England. Keen to reclaim the midfield role he was in the process of making his own, the Germany international has vowed to sacrifice his summer break to ensure he is fit for the start of City's campaign. However, given his susceptibility to injury, both club and player will be keen not to rush him back sooner than necessary.

Gundogan gunning for return
Gundogan gunning for return

Ilkay Gundogan targets Manchester City return on first day of season

Marcos Rojo (Man Utd)

Injury: Ruptured knee ligament

Expected return date: September 2017

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 20:  Luke Shaw (23) stands over injured team mate Marcos Rojo of Manchester United during the UEFA Europa League quarter final
Image: Rojo's season was cut short by a knee injury sustained against Anderlecht in April

Injured in the same game which saw Zlatan Ibrahimovic's career at Manchester United come to an end, Rojo's promising campaign in the heart of the United defence was stopped short when he injured his knee against Anderlecht in the Europa League. Unlike Ibrahimovic, though, the Argentina international will have the opportunity to run out at Old Trafford again, although United have yet to confirm when that will be.

Luke Shaw (Man Utd)

Injury: Ruptured foot ligament

Expected return date: Unknown

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 30:  Daley Blind of Manchester United and Michael Carrick of Manchester United check is Luke Shaw of Manchester United is okay
Image: An untimely injury halted Shaw's progress in response to struggling at United

Shaw overcame a lack of form, and public criticism from manager Jose Mourinho, to produce some of the best football of his United career last season, two years on from his horrific double-leg fracture. But ligament damage to his foot in late April stopped his progress and now the left-back faces a battle to be fit for the start of next season.

Heung-min Son (Tottenham)

Injury: Fractured arm

Expected return date: September 2017

South Korea's Son Heung-min receives medical treatment during the World Cup 2018 Asia qualifying football match between Qatar and South Korea at the Jassim
Image: Son receives medical treatment after breaking his arm against Qatar

Spurs will have to do without the goals and energy of Son until September after he fractured his right arm while playing for South Korea. The forward is facing three months on the sidelines having undergone surgery on his forearm, plunging his participation in key clashes against Chelsea and West Ham into doubt.

Erik Lamela (Tottenham)

Injury: Hip

Expected return date: October 14, 2017

Lamela's long-standing hip injury has significantly hampered his career at Tottenham. The 25-year-old underwent surgery on his hip in April after spending majority of last season on the sidelines. A fresh setback in his recovery has extended his absence, which looks set to reach a full calendar year.

Danny Rose (Tottenham)

Injury: Ruptured knee ligament

Expected return date: August 19, 2017

Danny Rose of Tottenham Hotspur leaves the field with an injury against Sunderland
Image: Rose hasn't featured for Spurs since limping off the field at the Stadium of Light

Rose damaged knee ligaments against Sunderland on January 31 before an early return to training exasperated his condition. The England left-back underwent surgery in May only to suffer a setback on his road to recovery. As such, the 26-year-old is doubtful for the start of Spurs' campaign - which sees Chelsea travel to Wembley on the second weekend.

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