Bruno Fernandes, Cody Gakpo and Patrick Dorgu have joined the growing list of high-profile players to suffer injuries during the current international break, as reported by BBC Sport on Sunday
Manchester United captain Fernandes was left out of Portugal’s squad for Sunday’s match against Norway after playing in Thursday’s victory over Wales.
Portugal manager Jorge Jesus said Fernandes had played through an injury he brought from Manchester United and was not at his usual level during the match.
Liverpool forward Gakpo was forced off after just 16 minutes of the Netherlands’ 2-1 win over Serbia on Sunday after appearing to suffer an injury to his right lower leg.
Gakpo has made a strong start to the season, scoring two goals and providing four assists in six appearances for Liverpool across all competitions.
Dorgu also suffered an injury during international duty, limping off after 30 minutes of Denmark’s 2-0 victory over Wales.
The trio’s injuries add to a growing list of concerns for clubs during an unusually long international break. The current window has been extended to three weeks, with national teams playing four matches instead of the usual two.
Liverpool have also lost striker Alexander Isak, who withdrew from Sweden duty with a minor thigh injury after scoring in a 2-1 win over Romania.
Other players affected include Arsenal forward Kai Havertz, Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey and Northern Ireland defender Dan Ballard.
Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe and Bayern Munich midfielder Jamal Musiala have also suffered injuries while on international duty.
The players’ respective clubs are expected to assess their conditions when they return from international duty.
Gilbert Ekugbe is a journalist at Newspot NG with over a decade of experience reporting on business and economic affairs. He covers markets, corporate developments, finance, and Nigeria’s broader economic landscape. His reporting is informed by extensive newsroom experience and a strong commitment to accuracy and responsible journalism, helping readers understand complex business issues.
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