Medical Experts Give Their Diagnosis On Injured Premier League Stars Theo Walcott, Dirk Kuyt, Michael Dawson And Louis Saha

Injury: Partial tears to left medial knee ligament and left ankle ligament

How injury sustained: Tangle of legs with Bulgaria striker Ivelin Popov

Expected time out: 6-8 weeks

Tim Allardyce, registered osteopath, British Osteopathic Association: "It's very likely that Michael Dawson has a grade two - on an increasing scale of I, II, III - ligament sprain, which means there has been some ligament tissue damage but not a complete tear.

"Most players will be able to do some gentle jogging in a straight line after two-three weeks. However, he will need to undergo sports or position specific training and rehabilitation to strengthen the knee against further injury.

"He would likely receive some medication to reduce the inflammation and hands on physiotherapy in the early stages to help the damaged tissues repair. After this, we would classically build stability in the ligaments and muscles around the knee, before looking at quick turning movements and a lot of jumping to strengthen the knee.

"It's not a really bad one as cruciate ligament damage is far worse. He will make a full recovery within two months."

Dirk Kuyt: Liverpool & the Netherlands

Injury: Acromioclavicular joint sprain

How injury sustained: Heavy fall after attempted bicycle kick in training

Expected time out: 4 weeks

Allardyce: "Kuyt has landed on the tip of his shoulder and his collarbone has shifted upwards and ruptured the ligament which holds the bone downwards.

"Fortunately, this isn't significant for football. It won't affect lower limb performance but he may receive a little bit of pain as he runs and the shoulder moves.

"He may get back on the field before injury is fully healed as the injury is rare in football and is hard to aggravate.

"Treatment will be to improve the range of mobility to the shoulder and then strengthening the rotator cuff muscles. Rehabilitation would usually entail using 2kg weights for strengthening, and methods to reduce the inflammation such as ice, electrotherapy, and manual treatment such as friction massage."

Theo Walcott: Arsenal & England

Injury: Sprained ankle and ligament damage

How injury sustained: Twisted ankle in ground attempting to reach a cross

Expected time out: Six weeks

Rohit Madhav, consultant orthopaedic surgeon, London Orthopaedic Clinic: "Ankle injuries are very common in contact sports and 95 per cent of the time it is the outside, lateral ligaments affected.

"On the outside, the most commonly injured are the anterior talofibular ligaments.

"If Walcott had just a grade one injury, where the ligament has been bruised or stretched but not enough to tear, he should be back in action between a week and a fortnight.

"However it is understood that a scan on the injury has revealed further ligament damage on his right ankle and as the player has had several injuries in recent years this could extend his rehabilation time.

"For these injuries he will be using elasticated support, ice, rest, elevation, early weight therapy and walking physiotherapy. Then he will start to pick up the cardiovascular intensity."

Louis Saha: Everton & France

How injury sustained: Forced off pitch 10 minutes after coming on as a substitute with discomfort in knee

Expected time out: 2-3 weeks

Prof Nicola Maffulli, professor of sports trauma and orthopaedics at Queen Mary, University of London & consultant orthopaedic surgeon, The London Independent Hospital: "There is a possibility that he could have injured another part of his cartilage or another part of the joint lining. One of the big problems with football is that the knee joint is subjected to serious stress.

"If his ligament and cartilage have been damaged in the past, then the strains and stresses will be higher, and thus a higher risk of injury.

"On average, a player with this medical history would be out for two-six weeks.

"What is done more and more often these days is that while Saha may not run and kick the ball during the week, he will still do training sessions which would keep him extremely fit while sparing the body part which has been injured.

"That would involve swimming, cycling, rowing and cross-trainer work in the gym."