Friday 23 June 2017 10:13, UK
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...
Injury: Plantaris tendon
Expected return date: November 4, 2017
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.
Injury: Fractured leg
Expected return date: Unknown
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.
Injury: Ruptured knee ligament
Expected return date: October 21, 2017
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.
Injury: Ruptured knee ligament
Expected return date: October 7, 2017
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.
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.
Injury: Ruptured knee ligament
Expected return date: January 1, 2018
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.
Injury: Double-leg fracture
Expected return date: Unknown
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.
Injury: Ruptured knee ligament
Expected return date: September 2, 2017
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.
Injury: Ruptured knee ligament
Expected return date: September 2017
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.
Injury: Ruptured foot ligament
Expected return date: Unknown
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.
Injury: Fractured arm
Expected return date: September 2017
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.
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.
Injury: Ruptured knee ligament
Expected return date: August 19, 2017
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.