Injuries news — SportsCatch

Shaw and Mainoo face late fitness tests as Sesko ruled out for United's trip to Leeds

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has confirmed Luke Shaw and Kobbie Mainoo will undergo late fitness checks before Sunday's Premier League visit to Elland Road, while striker Benjamin Sesko remains sidelined with a recurring shin injury.

Football Oct 16

Arteta confirms Saliba squad photo absence was logistical as Arsenal plan retake

Mikel Arteta has explained that William Saliba missed Arsenal's 2026/27 squad photo due to a medical appointment, not a falling-out, and confirmed the club will arrange a retake once the injured defender is available.

Football Oct 16

Alonso rules out January signing as Reece James faces weeks out after knee surgery

Reece James has undergone successful minor knee surgery and faces several weeks on the sidelines, but Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso says he expects the captain to return before the January transfer window opens, ruling out a replacement signing.

Football Oct 16

Merino reveals shrapnel in his usual seat nearly killed him in 2017 Dortmund bombing

Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino has opened up about the April 2017 pipe-bomb attack on the Borussia Dortmund team bus, disclosing that a piece of shrapnel was later found lodged in the headrest of the seat he would normally have occupied.

Football Oct 16

Injury-hit Exeter hand 6'6" Wimbush Champions Cup debut on wing at Toulouse

Exeter Chiefs coach Rob Baxter has been forced into a reshaped back three for Sunday's Champions Cup trip to Toulouse, handing rookie Zack Wimbush only his second appearance on the wing after England winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso suffered a hamstring injury.

Rugby Oct 16

Sharks name depleted side for Lyon trip with 16 players unavailable

The Sharks travel to Lyon for their EPCR Challenge Cup opener without 16 squad members, including Springboks Eben Etzebeth, Bongi Mbonambi and Makazole Mapimpi, forcing head coach JP Pietersen into a heavily reshuffled selection.

Rugby Oct 16

Ben Spencer returns from shoulder surgery to start Bath's Champions Cup clash with Montpellier

Bath captain Ben Spencer makes his first appearance of the season against Montpellier in the Champions Cup on Saturday, having missed the entire campaign so far following shoulder surgery. Fellow scrum-half Bernard van der Linde also returns from injury to take a place on the bench.

Rugby Oct 16

USA Women's Eagles chase first four-match winning run since 2006 against Italy in Texas

The USA Women's Eagles host Italy in Texas on Saturday targeting a fourth consecutive Test victory, a feat the programme has not achieved since 2006. Italy name a reshuffled side that includes Beatrice Rigoni's first start in over 13 months and a debut for flanker Mascia Jelic.

Rugby Oct 16

Arsenal target Kim Min-jae in January as Saliba and Hincapie injuries bite

Arsenal are weighing a surprise move for Bayern Munich defender Kim Min-jae this January, with head of scouting Maurizio Micheli — Kim's former mentor at Napoli — driving the Gunners' interest as injuries to William Saliba and Piero Hincapie expose their backline.

Football Oct 16

Chelsea captain Reece James undergoes knee surgery for another injury setback

Reece James has had surgery on a minor knee injury, Chelsea have confirmed, ruling the 26-year-old captain out after he missed the club's 5-1 win over Bournemouth. The setback follows a thigh problem that had already kept him out since 12 September.

Football Oct 16

Carrick faces media as Martinez apologises for blasting United's summer transfer failures

Michael Carrick addressed the press at Carrington ahead of Manchester United's clash with Leeds, with Lisandro Martinez's public apology and reported fine dominating the agenda after the defender criticised the club's summer investment following Tuesday's 2-0 Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid.

Football Oct 16

Martinez apologises after Ayden Heaven's left-back debut sparked Champions League outburst

Lisandro Martinez has cleared the air with Manchester United staff after his explosive post-match interview following the Champions League defeat at Atletico Madrid, with reports suggesting the 20-year-old Ayden Heaven's unfamiliar deployment at left-back was at the heart of his frustration.

Football Oct 16

Maresca says City are 'close' to PSG level after Champions League defeat at Etihad

Enzo Maresca struck an upbeat tone ahead of Manchester City's Premier League clash with Ipswich Town, insisting his side are near the level of Champions League winners PSG despite a 3-0 first-half deficit in midweek.

Football Oct 16

Gibraltar make competitive debut against Cyprus after 14 years in international wilderness

Gibraltar Rugby Football Union, admitted as Rugby Europe's 49th member in December, play their first competitive Test on Saturday against Cyprus — a side that once held a world record 24 consecutive wins. The historic home fixture marks the end of 14 years of friendly-only rugby for the British Overseas Territory.

Rugby Oct 16

Vinícius banned four games to miss Clásico as Mourinho slams suspension timing

Vinícius Júnior will sit out four La Liga matches, including the away Clásico against Barcelona, after being suspended for pulling an opponent's hair and protesting to a referee. The Brazilian also called for greater protection of attacking players, citing Lamine Yamal and Julián Álvarez.

Football Oct 16

Rosas Jr. meets Barcelos in Las Vegas as rival undergoes tests after UFC Vegas 121 collapse

Raul Rosas Jr. and Raoni Barcelos have reunited in Las Vegas following their dramatic UFC Vegas 121 main event, in which Barcelos lost consciousness during a fifth-round wrestling exchange despite leading on the scorecards.

MMA Oct 16

Wilson urges Wallabies to end 12-match All Blacks drought in Sydney decider

Harry Wilson has called on the Wallabies to seize a rare home opportunity against the All Blacks in Sydney, days after a 50-19 thrashing at Eden Park extended New Zealand's unbeaten run in the rivalry to a record 12 consecutive Tests.

Rugby Oct 16

Gerrard warns Wirtz's confidence is shot as Iraola faces Frimpong-Araujo dilemma

Steven Gerrard has identified a crisis of confidence as the root of Florian Wirtz's inconsistency at Liverpool, while manager Andoni Iraola has acknowledged the contrasting demands Jeremie Frimpong and Ronald Araujo create at right-back following a 6-3 win over LASK.

Football Oct 16

Injury crisis hands Kirifi his All Blacks recall ahead of second Bledisloe Test in Sydney

Du'Plessis Kirifi returns to the All Blacks matchday 23 for Saturday's second Bledisloe Cup Test in Sydney, with coach Dave Rennie turning to the Hurricanes co-captain after losing Ardie Savea, Luke Jacobson, Ethan Blackadder and Anton Segner to injury.

Rugby Oct 16

Uncapped McLaughlin-Phillips earns Wallabies debut after 'dominating the second team' in training

Fly-half Harry McLaughlin-Phillips is set to make his Test debut for Australia against the All Blacks after Ben Donaldson was ruled out with an upper leg injury, with Wallabies captain Harry Wilson backing the uncapped Queensland product to seize his moment.

Rugby Oct 16