Chelsea defender Maxence Lacroix is feared to be out of action until January with a hamstring injury, according to The Athletic, in the Lacroix injury line carried by Saturday's newspaper roundup. The item gives no detail on the severity of the damage or a firm return date, and includes no confirmation from the club.
Lacroix injury update
The report places the Chelsea centre-back on the sidelines until the turn of the year, which would take him out of the matchday squad across the winter programme. It is the only fitness item in the roundup that sets a timescale for a Premier League player.
Lacroix is one of several Chelsea subjects in the same set of Saturday headlines, alongside Estevao Willian's playing time and Emi Martinez's hand.
Lisandro Martinez and Atletico Madrid
The Sun reports that Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez wants to leave the club on a free transfer in the summer, with Atletico Madrid interested. The roundup does not set out the terms of his current contract, any fee, or a response from either club.
Manchester United players were booed on the train to London before their game against Chelsea, The Mirror reports in the same roundup.
Emi Martinez and the finger he refused to have operated on
Chelsea goalkeeper Emi Martinez has revealed that his hand is permanently disfigured after he refused surgery on a broken finger, The Sun reports. Martinez feared an operation would force him to miss the World Cup.
Estevao Willian's minutes at Chelsea
Also at Chelsea, The Sun reports that Estevao Willian is confused by his lack of minutes under Xabi Alonso and has told friends he is in a "crisis".
Everton and Jack Grealish
The Times reports a sense of "unease" among the Everton hierarchy about re-signing Jack Grealish, in the wake of an unauthorised absence that saw him dropped for the Carabao Cup tie against Newcastle.
Other lines from Saturday's papers
- Former Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin is on the radar for the vacant Sheffield Wednesday job, according to the Daily Record.
- Former Celtic recruitment chief Mark Lawwell has taken a new job at Chelsea, the Scottish Sun reports.
- Former Celtic striker Pierre van Hooijdonk has been cleared by NAC Breda after an internal investigation into his son Sydney's January move to Portuguese side Estrela Amadora, per the Scottish Sun.
- FIFA will fall short of gender equality with the prize money on offer at next year's Women's World Cup, The Guardian reports.
Paper Talk reviews the national newspapers' sports headlines every Monday to Friday, live on Sky Sports News from 10.30pm.
This article is based on the original report by skysports.com.
