Tuesday 4 July 2017 12:01, UK
With Liverpool forward Danny Ings having recently returned to training following yet another long-term lay-off, we bring you up-to-date with others on the comeback trail from injury ahead of the new season.
Ings has missed most of the past two campaigns after suffering two serious knee injuries, although the England international is hoping to be back to full fitness for the start of the Premier League season on August 12.
Here, with the help of PhysioRoom, we take a look at other players aiming to return from long-term injury for the new 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 time 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 out could surpass 12 months.
Injury: Knee ligament
Expected return date: Start of the season
The striker has only made 11 appearances for Liverpool since joining from Burnley two years ago. His 2016/17 campaign was ended by an injury to his right knee in October, having suffered a similar injury on his left knee the previous season. But the Liverpool Echo say Ings has been a regular at the training ground over the off-season and has only had one week's holiday as he bids to get back to full fitness. Jurgen Klopp is said to have been impressed with his commitment to rehabilitation and he should be set to return to action at some point in pre-season.
Injury: Torn ankle ligaments
Expected return date: Unknown
The Southampton centre-back suffered an ankle problem playing against Leicester City back on January 22, missing the rest of the campaign as a result. Initially, the Saints had expected to have their influential back for the climax of the season, but after fending off Liverpool interest, new boss Mauricio Pellegrino will be hoping to have the Dutchman available for the start of the new campaign.
Injury: Plantar Fasciitis
Expected return date: July 3, 2017
The Liverpool midfielder was only expected to be out for a few weeks after bruising his heel in training in February, only to then end up not playing for the remainder of the season. However, the England international should be back for be back for the new campaign after returning for pre-season training claiming: "I feel probably the best I've felt in terms of throughout my injuries so far and I've got all summer to get back to where I want to be."
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 endured a similar problem with 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: 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 set to return 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 at the heart of the United defence was cut 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: 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 exacerbated 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.
Injury: Fractured thigh and jaw
Expected return date: Unknown
The Crystal Palace left back suffered serious injury in a car crash in September, spending five days in hospital and missing the rest of the campaign as a result. However, despite having initially been expected to return before the end of last season, it is still not known when the Senegalese may be back to full fitness.
