Premier League stars set to miss the start of the season through injury

Before the Premier League begins, pre-season is the chance for footballers to regain their fitness after enjoying some time off in the summer, although it's also a time when they are especially susceptible to injury.

Now it has emerged the £72 million Rasmus Hojlund sustained an injury in pre-season training with his now former club Atalanta.

That definitely rules him out of the season opener here a week on Monday against the Wolves.

But he is also a doubt for the trip to Tottenham the following Saturday.

We've gone through each Premier League club's injury list and picked out seven big stars who are set to miss the start of the campaign through injury.

Gabriel Jesus

Mikel Arteta confirmed the Arsenal forward will miss the start of the season due to a knee injury. The good news is that it doesn't sound as serious as first anticipated, but Jesus still faces a spell on the sidelines.

"He had some discomfort in his knee that has been causing some issues and they had to go in and resolve it. It is not something major but he looks to be out for a few weeks, I think," Arteta told reporters.

Oleksandr Zinchenko

It's currently touch and go whether or not Zinchenko will be ready for Arsenal's opening game against Nottingham Forest. He missed the Community Sheild final thanks to a calf problem, but he is seemingly close to a full recovery.

Christopher Nkunku

The new Chelsea signing, Nkunku is set to miss their season opener with Liverpool due to a knee injury he sustained in pre-season.

"The doctors are checking him and I hope it's not a big issue," Mauricio Pochettino told reporters. "He fell in the action which was maybe a penalty and he feels something in his knee. We hope he can be back quickly with the team. We need a few days to assess him."

Rodrigo Bentancur

Everything seemed to unravel for Tottenham after Bentancur got injured. Spurs were just two points behind the top four in February but then struggled for form in the absence of the Uruguayan midfielder.

The 26-year-old underwent surgery following an ACL injury sustained against Leicester and could be out until November as he continues his recovery.

Kobbie Mainoo

The Man Utd youngster faces a spell on the sidelines after sustaining an injury in their pre-season game against Real Madrid that is expected to leave him sidelined for two months.

"We have some small injuries and one big one, which was really disappointing for Kobbie Mainoo, but also for us because he was doing brilliant, but that happens in football," Erik ten Hag told MUTV.

"We have the squad and you have to deal with it. I hope he'll be back quickly, we'll support him, but he must do it by himself. I'm sure he'll be back because he's so resilient."

Benoit Badiashile

The French defender was used sparingly for Chelsea in the second half of last season. Having only managed 10 starts during the last campaign, he now looks set to miss the start of the new campaign.

The Evening Standard published a report in May that claimed Badiashile will be out for four months with a groin injury. That would see him out until around September which will be a blow to Pochettino.

Wesley Fofana

Chelsea haven't had much luck with injuries of late as Fofana has also been ruled out for the foreseeable future with an ACL injury.

A statement from the club website explained: 'Defender Wesley Fofana has undergone anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery. Wesley will now begin his recovery and work with the club's medical department at Cobham during his rehabilitation phase.'

Michael Olise

After picking up a hamstring injury for France Under-21s at the European Championship, the Crystal Palace star has been ruled out for the start of the Premier League season.

Losing Olise will be a significant blow for Roy Hodgson's side, especially after Wilfried Zaha left after his contract expired. Olise was the creative hub behind Palace last season, producing an impressive 11 assists.

Alex Moreno

The Spanish full-back quickly became a fan favourite at Villa Park after signing from Real Betis in January. He has undergone surgery after sustaining a hamstring injury against Liverpool in Aston Villa's penultimate game of last season.

According to The Express, the 30-year-old is now facing a battle to be fit for the start of the new season as he continues his recovery during pre-season.

Dwight McNeil

Everton will be without McNeil for their opening Premier League games, with a return date currently unknown for the 23-year-old winger.

"It's not going to be days. It's going to be weeks rather than days," Sean Dyche told reporters. "We're waiting on a weekly update if you like. So, yeah, we'll see how long it takes. He's just hurt his ankle ligaments.

Stefan Bajcetic

Liverpool plan to gently ease Bajcetic back into the action following an injury he picked up in March. Klopp plans to gently ease the 18-year-old back into the action.

"Around the start of the pre-season, there will be parts of reintegration, but it will take time," Klopp told reporters in May. "He's not in full training , that's the prediction at the moment."

Ryan Sessegnon

In July, Tottenham confirmed the defender had undergone surgery to his left hamstring following an injury he picked up in pre-season training.

The 23-year-old is set to be sidelined for the start of the new campaign, with his return date currently unknown.