Fulham’s injury concerns have deepened after confirmation that key midfielder Sasa Lukic will be unavailable for up to six weeks. Serbia manager Dragan Stojkovic revealed the 29-year-old has suffered an adductor injury, ruling him out of international duty and several crucial fixtures for Marco Silva’s side.
The setback comes at a difficult moment for the Cottagers, who are already short of attacking options and head into the international break off the back of successive defeats to Aston Villa and Bournemouth. Lukic’s absence leaves Silva with another headache ahead of a tough Premier League run featuring clashes with Arsenal and Newcastle.
Having started every league game this season, Lukic’s energy and control in midfield have been pivotal for Fulham. His early withdrawal just 14 minutes into the defeat at Bournemouth highlighted the severity of the problem, and Stojkovic’s admission on Monday confirmed the worst fears.
Stojkovic confirms Lukic’s layoff
Speaking to Serbian media, Stojkovic made clear that his midfielder faces a prolonged absence.
“Lukic has an injury to the adductor of his left leg, with a break between four and six weeks. We certainly couldn’t count on him against Albania due to the suspension.” — Dragan Stojkovic
The injury means Lukic will miss Fulham’s return to action against Arsenal on 18 October, followed by the trip to Newcastle on 25 October, as well as further matches should his recovery extend towards the six-week mark.
Growing injury list for Fulham
Lukic joins an already crowded treatment room at Craven Cottage. Striker Rodrigo Muniz remains sidelined with a hamstring injury picked up before the Villa defeat, while Raul Jimenez continues to battle a hip problem sustained in the same game. Neither forward was available against Bournemouth, forcing Silva to field a side without a recognised striker.
Muniz could return before the November international break, but Jimenez is in a race against time to be fit for the Arsenal and Newcastle games. Meanwhile, Kenny Tete is also unavailable with a knee injury and is not expected to return immediately after the break, though surgery has not been required. Harrison Reed, left out of the Bournemouth squad for tactical reasons, is likely to return in light of Lukic’s absence.
Analyst verdict: injuries expose Fulham’s transfer inaction
FootballPlace analyst John William believes the spate of injuries underlines Silva’s frustrations with the club’s summer recruitment:
“Fulham left themselves short by waiting until Deadline Day for new signings. With Lukic now sidelined and both strikers out, the squad looks stretched. Silva’s complaints about a lack of transfer activity have proven justified, and results could suffer if solutions aren’t found quickly.”
Key insights
- Sasa Lukic ruled out for 4–6 weeks with an adductor injury.
- He will miss Fulham’s games against Arsenal and Newcastle this month.
- Rodrigo Muniz and Raul Jimenez also sidelined with hamstring and hip injuries.
- Kenny Tete remains out with a knee issue; Harrison Reed could return.
- Marco Silva frustrated by limited summer transfer business.
What’s next for Fulham?
The Cottagers will hope to regroup during the international break, but Silva faces a daunting test when his depleted squad meets Arsenal on 18 October. The London clash could prove pivotal in determining whether Fulham can stabilise their season or sink deeper into difficulty.
With key players missing and attacking options scarce, Silva may need to lean on tactical adjustments and squad depth to keep his side competitive. The matches against Arsenal and Newcastle will test Fulham’s resilience — and the manager’s ability to find solutions under pressure.
👉 Can Fulham cope with the mounting injuries, or will their lack of squad depth cost them against Arsenal and Newcastle?
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