Injuries news — SportsCatch

Injured Xavi Simons enrolls at Harvard while facing year-long Tottenham absence

Tottenham forward Xavi Simons has joined Harvard University's Crossover into Business programme as he recovers from a ruptured knee ligament sustained in April. The 23-year-old Netherlands international is not expected to return to action until 2027.

Football Oct 9

Saint-Étienne without Le Cardinal and Jaber to host Rodez in Ligue 2

Back from the international break, ASSE welcomes Rodez on Saturday evening in Ligue 2 without captain Julien Le Cardinal, who suffered a muscle injury at Metz, and Mahmoud Jaber, still in recovery.

Football Oct 9

Former UFC middleweight Tim Kennedy shot three times in deadly Congo ambush

Tim Kennedy, who fought in the UFC from 2001 to 2016, was reportedly shot three times in the leg during an ambush in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on September 17. A former New Zealand SAS soldier, Justin Conaglen, was killed in the attack.

MMA Oct 9

Five defeats and injury crisis: Di Meco fears OM's trip to Troyes

Stuck in 17th place in Ligue 1 after five consecutive defeats, OM travel to Troyes with a depleted squad. Former Marseille defender Eric Di Meco makes no secret of his concerns ahead of a match the club is "practically obliged to win".

Football Oct 9

Australia Men's Sevens re-sign four players ahead of Olympic-qualifying SVNS campaign

Ben Dalton and Beau Morrison have signed fresh 12-month contracts with Australia Men's Sevens, while development deals have been handed to teenagers Brody Folkes and Bailey Roberts-Lintmeijer ahead of the Olympic-qualifying HSBC SVNS Series.

Rugby Oct 9

Jake Paul cleared to fight after Joshua jaw surgery, targets Strickland and McGregor

Jake Paul has been medically cleared to return to boxing after recovering from the broken jaw he sustained in his sixth-round knockout loss to Anthony Joshua in December 2025. His promoter has released a wishlist of opponents that includes Sean Strickland, Conor McGregor, Francis Ngannou and Tom Aspinall.

MMA Oct 9

Dembélé and Nuno Mendes rested, absent from PSG against Le Mans

PSG confirmed on Thursday the absence of Ousmane Dembélé and Nuno Mendes for Saturday's home match against Le Mans in Ligue 1. The two internationals, heavily used during the international break, are benefiting from a recovery period decided in agreement with Luis Enrique.

Football Oct 8

Saliba worsened back fracture playing 2026 World Cup: career threatened like Umtiti

William Saliba aggravated a serious back fracture while playing the 2026 World Cup with France despite being injured, playing the entire tournament under injections and painkillers. The 25-year-old Arsenal defender is undergoing rehabilitation, but journalist Florent Gautreau fears he may never regain his best form, drawing a worrying parallel with Samuel Umtiti's career trajectory.

Football Oct 8

Mbappé trains normally and targets return against Villarreal on Saturday

Left with a left knee injury during Zinédine Zidane's inaugural match with the France national team in Turkey, Kylian Mbappé participated in Real Madrid's group training session on Thursday, paving the way for a starting role this weekend against Villarreal.

Football Oct 8

Nel Metcalfe returns to Wales squad after knee injury kept her out since Rugby World Cup

Wales full-back Nel Metcalfe has been named in Sean Lynn's squad for the WXV Global Series tour of Japan, ending a lengthy absence caused by a knee injury that ruled her out of the 2026 Women's Six Nations. The 21-year-old last played Test rugby in Wales' 28-25 loss to Fiji at the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025.

Rugby Oct 8

Bristol Bears lose Janse van Rensburg for three weeks after Henry Pollock collision

Benhard Janse van Rensburg has been ruled out for three weeks after suffering a head injury collision with Northampton's Henry Pollock, leaving Bristol without the England centre for Saturday's trip to Saracens and the Champions Cup clash with Stormers in Cape Town.

Rugby Oct 8

Van de Ven's Old Trafford return puts him in United's sights as Martinez future hangs in balance

Manchester United are weighing the long-term future of injury-prone defender Lisandro Martinez, and Tottenham's Micky van de Ven — in town this weekend — has emerged as the leading candidate to replace him.

Football Oct 8

Two-time UFC champion Strickland threatens to walk over McGregor pay gap

Sean Strickland, who claimed his second UFC middleweight title at UFC 328 in May, has publicly threatened to leave the promotion after questioning why Conor McGregor earns $30 million per fight while champions like himself receive a fraction of that figure.

MMA Oct 8

Everitt urges Patterson to block out Scotland buzz and Premier League interest

Edinburgh head coach Sean Everitt has called on 21-year-old scrum-half Hector Patterson to tune out speculation over a Scotland call-up and interest from English and French clubs, insisting the youngster still has significant development ahead of him.

Rugby Oct 8

Marcus Smith cleared to return as Harlequins seek first points of the season

Harlequins head coach Jason Gilmore has confirmed England fly-half Marcus Smith is on track to face Sale Sharks on Sunday, offering a timely lift to a side still winless after two defeats, including a 48-0 thrashing by Gloucester.

Rugby Oct 8

McTominay cleared to resume Napoli training after successful heart ablation procedure

Scott McTominay has returned to first-team training with Napoli after undergoing corrective ablation treatment for a mild, benign arrhythmia diagnosed in September. The club confirmed on Wednesday that further diagnostic tests cleared the 29-year-old Scotland midfielder for duty.

Football Oct 8

Iraola sweats on Isak and Gakpo fitness ahead of Liverpool's clash with Man City

Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola has confirmed Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo both returned injured from international duty, leaving his two senior forwards doubtful for Sunday's Premier League visit of Manchester City.

Football Oct 8

Toone earns late England recall for World Cup play-off after Bronze injury forces Wiegman's hand

Ella Toone has been added to England's squad for their Women's World Cup play-off against Greece after Lucy Bronze sustained a minor injury playing for Chelsea. Toone had been dropped from Sarina Wiegman's original 23-player group last week.

Football Oct 8

Isak and Gakpo both injured and doubtful for Liverpool's clash with league-leaders City

Liverpool face Manchester City on Sunday with Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo both major doubts after the pair returned early from international duty with a thigh injury and a knock respectively.

Football Oct 8

Hojbjerg injured, Cornelius out until 2027: OM arrives at Troyes decimated

The international break has brought a string of setbacks for Marseille: Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is sidelined for several weeks, Derek Cornelius will not play again before 2027, and several key players arrive diminished ahead of Saturday's trip to Troyes.

Football Oct 8