This article is part of our Fit or Miss series.
Is it just me or does it feel like there hasn't been a Premier League match in months? The international break is great for seeing all the national teams fighting for a spot in the World Cup but I'm ready to get back to the club action.
There were a number of injuries over the break, while some guys used the time off to heal. Here's what we're seeing heading into Gameweek 8.
Newcastle vs. Liverpool
Out:Philippe Coutinho won't be making the trip to Newcastle due to his ongoing shoulder injury. Ryan Taylor (knee) remains out long-term. Friday update: Iago Aspas suffered a thigh injury in training Thursday and is expected to miss the next six weeks of action.
Not Expected to Play:Massadio Haidara (knee) is back to training and will play in an U-21 match Friday. Fabricio Coloccini will likely miss out after picking up a thigh injury while on international duty.
Expected to Play:Steven Taylor could return after missing a month with a hamstring injury. Glen Johnson (ankle) is set to return, along with Joe Allen (hamstring) and Aly Cissokho (ankle).
Swansea City vs. Sunderland
Not Expected to Play:Leon Britton (calf) has not returned to full training yet, although he hasn't been ruled out either. Ben Davies (hamstring) will be given a late fitness test but will likely wait at least another week for his return. Ashley Williams (ankle) will be given a shot to play but it's doubtful that he'll be ready by Saturday.
Expected to Play:Michel Vorm picked up a hand injury while on international duty but it shouldn't keep him out Saturday. Jonathan de Guzman (groin) missed international duty for Holland this week but should be good to go for Saturday. Gary Monk could make an appearance after battling back from a knee issue. Pablo Hernandez has missed the last six weeks with a thigh injury but looks ready to make his return. Steven Fletcher (shoulder) was expected to be out until November but he is now set to return. Keiren Westwood (shoulder) looks set to play.
Stoke City vs. West Brom
Out:Ben Foster (foot) continues to progress but he won't be ready to play by Saturday. George Thorne remains out for the long-term with a knee injury.
Not Expected to Play:Scott Sinclair (hamstring) will likely not be ready to play by Saturday. Zoltan Gera remains a doubt due to his hamstring injury.
Expected to Play:Victor Anichebe has recovered from the groin injury that kept him out against Arsenal before the international break. Matej Vydra (hamstring) will be available for the first time since late August. Jonathan Walters (groin) has returned to training after not playing over the international break.
Arsenal vs. Norwich City
Out:Lukas Podolski, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Yaya Sanogo are still weeks away from returning to training. Elliott Bennett is out for the season after ACL surgery in August.
Not Expected to Play:Santi Cazorla (ankle) is available for training but is not match fit. It's possible he will be available off the bench. Theo Walcott (abdomen) is still two weeks away from returning. Anthony Pilkington (hamstring) did not play over the international break but will be given a late fitness test prior to Saturday's match.
Expected to Play: Despite picking up a knee knock while on international duty, Mesut Ozil is expected to be fit enough to play. Bacary Sagna was described as "80 percent fit" by manager Arsene Wenger and will face a fitness test prior to the match. Tomas Rosicky (thigh) is available.
Chelsea vs. Cardiff City
Out:Marco van Ginkel is out for at least the next five months after having surgery on a torn ACL.
Not Expected to Play:Ashley Cole has not recovered from the rib injury that he suffered back on October 5 against Norwich. Fernando Torres (knee) remains at least a week away. Friday update: Manager Jose Mourinho said that Torres will be available. Andre Schurrle will miss out after picking up a small injury while on international duty.Andreas Cornelius (ankle), who hasn't played yet this season, remains a doubt to play.
Everton vs. Hull City
Out:Darron Gibson (knee) is having surgery to repair a torn ACL and he could miss the remainder of the Premier League season. Robert Koren remains out with a broken foot, with a potential return in mid-November.
Not Expected to Play:Steven Pienaar (hamstring) has returned to full training but manager Roberto Martinez said Saturday is too early for a return. Robert Brady has recovered faster than expected from hernia surgery and will have a late fitness test prior to Saturday's match. Antolin Alcaraz is apparently training but still not ready to play. James Chester (hamstring) is still roughly two weeks away.
Manchester United vs. Southampton
Not Expected to Play:Tom Cleverly (leg) missed both of England's World Cup qualifiers over the international break and will find it tough to get back by Saturday. Darren Fletcher (illness) is actually close to a return, although he's unlikely to return by Saturday.
Expected to Play:Wayne Rooney is expected to ditch the headband he's been playing with recently to protect a gash on his head. Rafael picked up a knock but should be good to go. Rio Ferdinand could be recovered from his groin injury but that doesn't mean he'll get on the pitch. Artur Boruc (hamstring) did not play in Tuesday's World Cup qualifier against England but the club said he should be fine to play against Man U. Luke Shaw is also expected to play after missing an England U-21 match due to illness last week.
Manchester City vs. West Ham
Out:Andy Carroll remains out with a foot injury, although there has been encouraging talk lately that he may return next month. Alou Diarra is out for the season after tearing his ACL back in August.
Not Expected to Play:Martin Demichelis (knee) played 45 minuted in an elite developmental squad match Wednesday but isn't likely to be fit enough for Saturday's Premier League tilt. James Collins is expected to miss out with a hamstring injury.
Expected to Play:Jack Rodwell (hamstring) played all 90 minutes in the same elite developmental squad game as Demichelis and should be good to go for Saturday's match if he can avoid a setback in training before then. Vincent Kompany (groin) looks set to return after not playing for Belgium during the international break. Friday update: According to the Daily Mail, Kompany will NOT play.
Aston Villa vs. Tottenham
Out:Jores Okore (knee) could miss the remainder of the season.
Not Expected to Play:Younes Kaboul (groin) looks to be another week away from a return. Etienne Capoue (ankle) was set to return after the international break but he hasn't fully recovered yet. Danny Rose hasn't recovered from his ankle injury despite an initial expectation that he'd be back before the international break. Gary Gardner (back) is expected to be out for at least another three weeks.
Expected to Play:Aaron Lennon (foot) has returned to training and should be good to go. Christian Benteke (groin) is training this week will have a late fitness test. Manager Paul Lambert seems very interested in getting Benteke back on the pitch, as are fantasy owners.
Fulham vs. Crystal Palace
Out:Patrick McCarthy (groin) is about three weeks away from returning. Jonny Williams (ankle) and Jack Hunt are still weeks away from a return. Glenn Murray (knee) is out until at least December.
Not Expected to Play:Daniel Gabbidon is battling a hamstring injury and will likely not be ready in time. Matthew Briggs (groin) is likely another week away from returning.
Expected to Play:Maarten Stekelenburg has been cleared by club doctors and should re-take his spot as the starting goalkeeper immediately. Dimitar Berbatov is expected to be ready after picking up a knock. Scott Parker and Aaron Hughes are expected to return to training Friday with the expectation that they will be ready to go by Monday.
