Reus out, Sturridge a doubt for upcoming Champions League games

Following the international break, in which England got off the mark in their opening Euro 2016 qualifying group game against Switzerland with an excellent 2-0 away victory, there is good and bad news for Premier League clubs.

With the Champions League a week away, September 16th, Borussia Dortmund have been hit with the absence of one of their key players Marco Reus due to ankle ligament damage. The goalscoring winger had only just returned from a similar injury in the same place, which ruled him out of the World Cup, and will be out for about a month.

Dortmund said in a statement: “Team doctor Markus Braun on Monday [September 8th] diagnosed a partial tear and stretching of ligaments. The club expects [Reus] to undergo a rehabilitation programme of four weeks.”

While this is bad news for Borussia boss Jurgen Klopp, it will give Arsenal a lift, who are their first Group D opponents. The German giants are still favourites at evens to win at the Westfalenstadion, with the Gunners 5/2 chances.

Arsenal first face Manchester City (7/4 to beat them) at the Emirates in the league, though, and will be hoping Aaron Ramsey can come through his match for Wales against Andorra unscathed.

Liverpool, on the other hand, could be without their star striker Daniel Sturridge, after he injured his thigh training with England, which ruled him out of the Switzerland game.

Luckily for the Reds, they face favourable upcoming home games in the Premier League and Champions League, against Aston Villa and Ludogorets Razgrad respectively, but they will hope to be able to call on Sturridge.

The 25-year-old posted on social media that he will “be back soon”, but it remains unclear the exact date that he is set to return. It the attacker is out, it could mean that new signing Mario Balotelli could get his chance to shine.

There is better news for Brendan Rodgers, though, as Sturridge’s club and country teammate Jordan Henderson came through the full 90 minutes for England. He was previously a doubt for the game.