With Euro 2020 just a few weeks away, international managers in Europe will be hoping that their star players come through the end of the season unscathed as they announce their squads.
The closing stages of the club season represent a nerve-jangling wait for every coach - many will no doubt wince with every tough tackle and fear the worst when one of their players hits the deck in apparent agony.
Not only that, but they will be checking in regularly with players who are already on the sideline, going through rehabilitation with the aim of being fit for selection.
Ahead of the tournament, Goal keeps tabs on the players who will miss out on Euro 2020 as well as those who are considered doubts.
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Confirmed out of Euro 2020
Virgil van Dijk will play no part in Euro 2020 for the Netherlands thanks to a serious knee injury he sustained while playing for Liverpool in October 2020.
There had been some hope that the Dutch captain would be available for the Oranje, particularly when he shared footage of himself making positive strides in his rehabilitation. However, the centre-back confirmed in May 2021 that he would not take part in the tournament.
"Obviously I am very gutted to miss the Euros, to miss the European Championship and leading out my own country there," Van Dijk told Liverpool's official website. "But things have been like they have and I have to accept it – we all have to accept it.
"I think the decision to not go is the right decision in the grand scheme of things. It’s tough, but I’m at peace with it."
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Despite making a sensational return to international football with Sweden in March, Zlatan Ibrahimovic's hopes of one final European Championship were extinguished when he suffered a knee injury in May.
The former Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona striker has been rolling back the years in Serie A with AC Milan, helping the Rossoneri back into the Champions League, so his forced absence is a personal blow for him.
Of course, even though he has informed Sweden head coach Janne Andersson that he won't be available for Euro 2020, the vociferous veteran appeared to give some hope to Swedish fans when he posted a video of his recovery on social media with the message, "It's not over until I say it's over."
Luis Enrique's Spain will not be able to rely on the precocious ability of Barcelona forward Ansu Fati after the teenager had to undergo surgery again in May.
Leicester City forward Harvey Barnes had been hopeful of sneaking into Gareth Southgate's England squad, but will not be included after suffering a set-back in his rehabilitation from a knee injury. Joe Gomez is another absentee for the Three Lions, but is making progress in his recovery from a knee tendon tear.
Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen has been ruled out of Germany's Euro 2020 panel due to a knee injury and Joachim Low's side will also be without Marco Reus with the Borussia Dortmund forward opting to rest.
"I've not taken this decision lightly, since I am always incredibly proud when I have the chance to play for my country," Reus wrote on Instagram. "But after an intense year for me personally, and having achieved our aims with Borussia Dortmund, I have come to the conclusion that I need to give my body time to recover!"
Major doubts for Euro 2020
England could well be without the influential presence of Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson at Euro 2020, with a groin injury ruling the midfielder out for the rest of the season.
Henderson has not played since February, but Jurgen Klopp has hinted that he could win the fitness race in order to be available for the Three Lions, saying: "It's a decision for Gareth (Southgate) and Jordan. There's a chance for England for sure, not for us unfortunately."
Another huge character in the England camp who is a major doubt is Harry Maguire, who suffered a foot injury towards the end of the Premier League campaign. Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has hinted that the defender could be available for the Europa League final on May 26 though.
Joachim Low will be keeping tabs on the fitness of Leeds United defender Robin Koch after it was revealed that he is managing a hip issue. Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa granted Koch early leave in order to avoid exacerbating the injury.
Ethan Ampadu has been a versatile option for Wales in recent years, but is considered a serious doubt for Euro 2020 thanks to a recurring groin issue which flared up towards the end of the season. Another concern for the Dragons is Tottenham full-back Ben Davies.
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Potential doubts for Euro 2020
Portugal attacker Diogo Jota emerged as a slight concern towards the end of the Premier League season when he suffered an injury to a foot bone in the north-west derby against Manchester United in May.
However, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp delivered a positive update soon afterwards, declaring: "Good news for Portugal and for Diogo himself, the Euros are not in danger."
Jota's team-mate, on loan from Schalke, Ozan Kabak is also a slight doubt for Turkey, but will be hopeful of overcoming muscle problems in order to play.
Ilkay Gundogan went off with a knee complaint in the penultimate game of the Premier League season, but Pep Guardiola revealed that the club doctor was "quite optimistic" in his prognosis.
N'Golo Kante was included in Didier Deschamps' France squad for the tournament, but Les Bleus' boss will be paying close attention to Chelsea's upcoming games after the midfielder complained of muscle pain. According to Thomas Tuchel, Kante is mindful of a lingering hamstring complaint and, naturally, doesn't want to aggravate it.
Leeds midfielder Mateusz Klich has been included in the provisional Poland squad and has been allowed time off to minimise the risk of injury ahead of the European Championship. In mid-May, Marcelo Bielsa insisted that Klich was not strictly injured, but having his physical condition managed by taking early holidays.
"The evaluations that I make over the campaign are for the needs of each player and in the case of Klich, the decision I made was the best for him," Bielsa told reporters.
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