SAD Injury News: Vinicius Jr., Mohamed Salah, Kaoru Mitoma, Amadou Onana, Roméo Lavia

Will Real Madrid have Vinicius Jr. healthy for their all-important clash against Girona? What is the latest update on Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah? Can Kaoru Mitoma give Brighton a boost vs. Tottenham? Will André Onana be able to face Manchester City? And what is the status of Chelsea youngster Roméo Lavia.

Here are updates on some of the biggest injuries around the Premier League and LaLiga before this weekend’s action.

Roméo Lavia won’t be back for League Cup

Mauricio Pochettino recently admitted that it is “impossible” for center midfielder Roméo Lavia to return in time to help the Blues in the League Cup Final.

Chelsea will face Liverpool on Feb. 25 for the title, with the Blues performing much better in cup competition than in the Premier League this season.

Liverpool will be a massive test for the Blues, one they recently failed in league play. Lavia could have helped shore things up for. the team defensively, but recurring injuries have hampered his first season with the club.

A standout for Southampton last season, Lavia has featured just once for Chelsea in 2023/24, earning 32 minutes off the bench in the Premier League. Better safe than sorry is the best policy with the 20-year-old’s health.

Amadou Onana could face Manchester City

Everton sit 18th in the Premier League and are once again fighting for mere survival. This weekend, they could be up against it, as title favorite Manchester City are their opponents.

City are flying high with Kevin De Bruyne back in the XI, assisting in three straight matches. The good news for Everton is that they could have their own star midfielder back in contention, too.

Amadou Onana missed the match against Fulham with a knee injury, but manager Sean Dyche said he was able to practice on the grass and is thus potentially available against City.

Whether or not Onana plays could make-or-break Everton’s chances of even getting a point out of the defending champions.

Kaoru Mitoma can play against Tottenham

As Kauro Mitoma gets heavily linked with a move to Barcelona, the Brighton star winger is doing his best to get back on the pitch and help the Seagulls return to a European place.

They will have a tough test on tap this Saturday against Tottenham, but assistant manager Andrea Maldera gave a positive update, telling reporters that Mitoma could be available in some capacity.

It is unclear if he can start, and it may be too early for the Japanese star to be in the XI. However, it sounds like Brighton are ready to have him on the pitch and watch him make an impact for them against a top-four Premier League contender.

Jürgen Klopp offers Mohamed Salah injury update

Mohamed Salah suffered a hamstring injury during the African Cup of Nations while playing for Egypt, leaving his status in doubt for Liverpool’s matches following the tournament.
Manager Jürgen Klopp recently gave an update about Salah’s status, indicating that the right winger is improving, “Right direction. We hope (but we don’t know) that he can be parts of training next week…but we have to see. He’s going through all of the paces now. It’s positive. Either next week or the week after. If you ask him, it’s next week!”

Liverpool will face Burnley this weekend, Brentford the following weekend, and then Luton on Feb. 21 for the mid-week fixture. On Feb. 25, the Reds will take on Chelsea in the League Cup Final.

Although the Reds want to get every point possible in the title race, there is no need to rush Salah, as important as he is to the team. They need him for the long haul of the title race.

Vinicius Jr. ready for Girona

Although there were some doubts regarding the status of superstar Vinicius Jr. for Real Madrid’s title-deciding fixture against Girona this weekend, manager Carlo Ancelotti reassured reporters that the Brazilian winger is “fine”.

With Nacho and Antonio Rüdiger dealing with injuries at center back, Real may need all the attacking firepower they can get to keep up with Míchel’s exciting Girona side, which could run rampant against a shorthanded defense.

Vini Jr. has remained dangerous this season despite playing a different role in the attack away from the wing, averaging 2.9 dribbles completed and 2.2 fouls drawn per match for the league-leading Merengues.