Aleksandar Mitrovic in race against time to be fit for the World Cup
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Alexsandar Mitrovic is out of Fulham’s battle with Man United this weekend and faces a race against time to be fit for the start of the World Cup as the talisman striker suffers a foot injury
- Aleksandar Mitrovic out of Fulham’s Man Utd game this weekend
- Reports suggest the striker played with two broken bones in his foot
- Due to the injury, Mitrovic is a big doubt for Serbia’s opening match with Brazil
- Despite the injury, the attacker has been included in Serbia’s World Cup selection
Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic can race against time to be fit for the start of the World Cup
The Serb will have to miss again on Sunday due to a foot problem when Fulham host Manchester United in the final Premier League game before the players leave for Qatar.
Reports in Serbia meanwhile suggest that Mitrovic, the goalscorer of nine league goals this season, has continued to play despite two broken bones in his foot since he suffered the first injury during his international service in September.
Aleksandar Mitrovic is out of Fulham’s game this weekend, now I doubt World Cup injury
With Serbia opening its World Cup campaign against Brazil on November 24, Mitrovic is unlikely to be fit enough due to his likely recovery, but the 28-year-old could later play in the group stage ahead of matches with Cameroon and Switzerland.
Fulham have also named midfielder Joao Palhinha in Portugal’s World Cup squad.
Defenders Tim Ream and Antonee Robinson will be in Qatar with the United States, who face the Wales duo of Harry Wilson and Daniel James and England in Group B.
Fulham manager Marco Silva said at a press conference: “Every time our players play for their national teams, we should be proud of them.
The Fulham star is still included in Serbia’s squad for the World Cup later this month
“A good sign for us too.”
In addition to missing Mitrovic, defender Kenny Tete and midfielder Harrison Reed will be banned for one game after collecting five yellow cards.
However, forward Bobby De Cordova-Reid will be available again after his own suspension.
“Mitrovic will not play on Sunday,” Silva said. “It will be more or less the same players who are available.
“We have two players who have received a fifth yellow card, so we will make some changes, like we did against Manchester City last week.”
Marco Silva’s team had an impressive start to the season and is 9th in the ranking
The Cottagers continue to exceed expectations on their return to the Premier League.
Last weekend’s 3-2 defeat at Manchester City, settled by an injury time penalty from Erling Haaland, ended a four-game unbeaten run.
United are also in good form, recovering from the Premier League defeat to Aston Villa with a win over Unai Emery’s side in the Carabao Cup on Thursday evening to secure their place in the fourth round.
“They have not been consistent as they would like to be,” Silva said.
“When they are at their best level, it is a very difficult team to play against and we will prepare for that.”
