Injury briefing: Real Madrid get Eden Hazard boost ahead of Barcelona showdown

Injury Briefing

Eden Hazard set to win Clasico fitness race

Real Madrid are safely through to the last 16 of the Champions League but Tuesday's 2-2 draw at home to Paris St-Germain was accompanied by a scare with Eden Hazard suffering an ankle injury.

Hazard had to be helped off the pitch and was taken straight to a clinic after the match to assess the injury and discover whether he will be available for the Clasico away to Barcelona on December 18.

Real manager Zinedine Zidane expressed his concerns after the game, saying, "It is worrying, he was in pain. It's more than just a knock. He twisted his ankle. He has gone for tests and we will have to see what the results are."

However, reports on Wednesday suggested the ankle was bruised rather than twisted and indicated that the Belgian should be fully recovered in time to face Barca.

Hazard is expected to miss this weekend's trip to Alaves.

Swansea face centre-back shortage

Swansea are short of experienced central defenders after Mike van der Hoorn (shin) joined Joe Rodon (tendon) on the sidelines.

Van der Hoorn was the victim of a poor tackle from Huddersfield forward Fraizer Campbell on Tuesday, forcing him to withdraw from the action at half-time.

He was replaced by 19-year-old Ben Cabango, who made his EFL debut alongside 20-year-old Watford loanee Ben Wilmot.

The pair did a decent job of resisting the Terriers, who had to settle for a 1-1 draw.

But they are likely to be handed a sterner test by Fulham, who are spearheaded by the division's top scorer in 13-goal target man Aleksandar Mitrovic.

Charlton lose Conor Gallagher

There is no end in sight to Charlton's injury crisis and their problems increased during a 2-1 loss at Luton on Tuesday with key midfielder Conor Gallagher receiving his fifth yellow card of the season.

Gallagher, on a season-long loan from Chelsea, will be suspended for tomorrow's home match with Sheffield Wednesday and is one of a possible 11 absentees.

Josh Cullen, Lyle Taylor, Tomer Hemed, Sam Field, Jonny Williams, Lewis Page, George Lapslie, Ben Amos, Jake Forster-Caskey and Chuks Aneke were all ruled out of the midweek match due to injuries and manager Lee Bowyer doesn't expect much to change by the weekend.

After the match, Bowyer said: "We can't change it up, it's the group we have so we'll dust them off and go again."

Major setback for Ipswich Town

Ipswich had to settle for a 0-0 draw in their top of the table clash at home to Wycombe on Tuesday and their disappointment was exacerbated by news of a serious setback for right back Kane Vincent-Young, who has sustained a fresh groin injury.

Vincent-Young was reportedly close to a first team return after undergoing groin surgery but has suffered a setback which will rule him out for several months.

Janoi Donacien has deputised in Vincent-Young's absence and can look forward to extended run in the side.

Ipswich manager Paul Lambert may consider changes for tomorrow's FA Cup second round tie away to Coventry and will monitor the availability of key midfielder Flynn Downes, who missed the Wycombe game through illness.

Mixed news for Crewe Alexandra

Crewe recovered one central defender in Eddie Nolan, and lost another in Nicky Hunt on Tuesday as they drew 0-0 at Sky Bet League Two promotion rivals Forest Green.

Nolan shook off ankle and calf niggles to return from a three-game absence and played his part in a solid display described by Crewe manager David Artell as the club's "best away performance of the season".

However, the evening was soured in the 76th minute when Hunt had to withdraw due to a muscle strain.

Hunt looks a major doubt for tomorrow's FA Cup second-round visit to Eastleigh and Crewe are still without experienced centre-back Olly Lancashire, who is recovering from an Achilles injury.

Gaffer Tracker

Chris Beech Carlisle

Carlisle fans hoping for an experienced managerial appointment were left disappointed when Chris Beech was unveiled as Steven Pressley's replacement.

Beech has never been a number one but excelled in a variety of roles at Rochdale where he spent two years as a player and a further 15 in a coaching capacity.

His appointment on a deal until the end of the 2020-21 season is part of a restructuring which will see the buying and selling of players conducted between Beech and the club's director of football, David Holdsworth.

Beech's job title will be head coach, while his predecessor, Pressley, was the club's manager.

He inherits a struggling side perched fourth-bottom in Sky Bet League Two, having won just one of their last eight league matches.

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