With the international break approaching its end, the last things clubs need are for their players to pick up injuries while representing their respective nations. Unfortunately, Watford midfielder Ozan Tufan is set for a spell on the sidelines following a knee injury.
Watford Midfielder Ozan Tufan Injured on International Duty
Mixed Start to Life at Watford
There were high expectations for the 26-year-old when he initially was loaned to the Hornets from Turkish giants Fenerbahce. However, upon signing, he needed to spend some time training alone to get back up to full match fitness.
He made his inaugural Watford appearance in a Carabao Cup clash with Stoke City, impressing for the full ninety despite the 3-1 defeat. Tufan made his Premier League debut on September 25 off of the bench against Newcastle United, over one month after he initially signed for the Hertfordshire side.
In Xisco Munoz’s last match in charge of the Hornets, Tufan played 59 minutes, failing to make much of an impact against Leeds United.
Tufan has started two of Claudio Ranieri’s four matches in the dugout, albeit he has not completed the full ninety on either occasion. Alongside Moussa Sissoko and Juraj Kucka, he has become “The Tinkerman’s” preference to complete the midfield three.
Ozan Tufan Injury Outlook
Fortunately for Tufan, early indications suggest he will not spend too long on the sidelines. According to Adam Leventhal of The Athletic, said on November 13, he is likely to spend 7-10 days out. This, as of now, only puts his availability for the game against Manchester United in doubt. However, as it is a knee injury, the Hornets will be extra careful before allowing him to return to full training, as any slight tweaks to the injury could be devastating.
This means Ranieri will need to make a key choice ahead of the fixture against the Red Devils. Not only is Tufan probably out, but Kucka will also be missing the fixture after being sent off in the club’s recent defeat to Arsenal. With Peter Etebo still recovering from injury and unlikely to be back in the near future, the options Ranieri will have to choose from are Sissoko, summer-signing Imran Louza, Tom Cleverley, and Dan Gosling.
The most exciting name on the list for potential stand-ins is Louza. He was the Hornets’ most expensive signing of the summer, joining for £9 million, but has only played 45 league minutes since his arrival. Perhaps Ranieri will opt for a change in formation, but Louza should be included either way.
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