Alex Scott out for two months as Premier League clubs count injury cost of international break

The Premier League returns this weekend, but several clubs will be counting the cost of the international break. The most serious blow so far has landed at Bournemouth, where midfielder Alex Scott is expected to be out for around two months after an injury picked up on England duty.

Liverpool, preparing for this weekend's meeting with Manchester City, also have concerns after Cody Gakpo hurt his ankle playing for the Netherlands, while Arsenal were again left waiting on scans after Kai Havertz pulled up for Germany.

Scott's England breakthrough cut short

Scott, 23, started England's 7-0 Nations League win over Croatia in Rijeka on Saturday and drew praise for his display before being replaced by James Garner around the 70th minute. The injury, to his quadriceps, was not obvious at the time, but scans led to his withdrawal from the squad before Tuesday's match against Czechia.

Reports in England say he could be sidelined until December. That would rule him out of Bournemouth's busy October and November schedule, including league games against Chelsea and Sunderland as well as their European fixtures, and England's final Nations League games in November.

Scott has been one of the club's standout performers since joining from Bristol City in 2023, and attracted repeated interest from Chelsea during the summer window. Bournemouth are already without young forward Eli Junior Kroupi, who had surgery on his foot.

Gakpo a doubt for Liverpool v Manchester City

Gakpo lasted only around 17 minutes of the Netherlands' 2-1 Nations League win over Serbia in late September before going off after a heavy challenge. He later withdrew from the Dutch squad and returned to Liverpool for assessment, missing the rest of the window.

His absence would be felt. Gakpo had made a strong start to the season, with two goals and four assists across all competitions, more goal involvements than any other Liverpool player at that stage. Liverpool also had Alexander Isak return from Sweden duty with a thigh issue, although that was described as minor.

Havertz and Arsenal's break worries

Havertz pulled up in the first half of Germany's Nations League match against the Netherlands on 25 September and was sent for a scan, with Bayern Munich's Jamal Musiala also hurt in the same game. The Arsenal forward has a history of injury problems, and the club will want clarity on his condition before their next league fixture.

Other names on the list

Sunderland defender Dan Ballard was ruled out of Northern Ireland's remaining games with a hamstring problem, and Manchester United's Patrick Dorgu limped off at half-time while on duty for Denmark. Several England regulars, including Cole Palmer and Declan Rice, did not travel for this window, with load management cited.

For fans in Malaysia, the weekend's fixtures mark the start of a demanding run of club football that will continue until the next international break in November.

Key takeaways

• Bournemouth's Alex Scott faces around two months out with a quadriceps injury sustained on England duty.
• Scott started England's 7-0 win over Croatia and has withdrawn from the squad.
• Liverpool's Cody Gakpo hurt his ankle playing for the Netherlands and is a doubt for the Manchester City game.
• Arsenal's Kai Havertz pulled up for Germany against the Netherlands and was sent for a scan.
• Alexander Isak returned to Liverpool with what was described as a minor thigh issue.

FAQ

How long will Alex Scott be out? Around two months, according to reports, which could keep him out until early December.

How did Cody Gakpo get injured? He was forced off after a heavy challenge around 17 minutes into the Netherlands' 2-1 win over Serbia in the Nations League.

When does the Premier League resume? This weekend, with Liverpool v Manchester City among the headline fixtures.

Sources: Sports Mole, Yahoo Sports, Football365, All Football, Just Arsenal, Roundtable