Bruno Fernandes, Cody Gakpo, and Patrick Dorgu are among the notable players who have sustained injuries during the international break, affecting their participation in Nations League matches. After appearing in Portugal's victory over Wales, Manchester United captain Fernandes was absent from the squad for the subsequent match against Norway. Coach Jorge Jesus indicated that Fernandes had "played through the pain" during the match against Wales and noted that he "wasn't his usual self," having carried an injury from Manchester United.
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On the same day, both Fernandes' teammate Dorgu and Liverpool striker Gakpo encountered injuries while representing their countries. Gakpo had to leave the pitch only 16 minutes into the Netherlands' 2-1 victory against Serbia, appearing to be in pain and holding the lower part of his right leg. He had been having a strong start to the season with Liverpool, netting two goals and providing four assists in six matches.
Dorgu faced a similar fate, lasting just 30 minutes before limping off during Denmark's 2-0 victory over Wales. This international break marks a week longer than usual, as the traditional October break has been eliminated, allowing for a three-week span in which teams will play four international matches instead of two.
Gakpo's injury compounds Liverpool's difficulties, following the withdrawal of Alexander Isak from Sweden’s squad due to a minor thigh injury. Isak had played the full game and scored in Sweden's 2-1 win against Romania but will miss the remaining three matches of this international break after assessment by club medical staff.
Additionally, Arsenal forward Kai Havertz and Sunderland's Brian Brobbey both departed injured during the Netherlands' draw with Germany. Havertz suffered a knee injury from a high boot by Quinten Timber, while Brobbey, who recently scored a hat-trick in Sunderland’s Premier League defeat to Manchester City, appeared to sustain a muscle injury.
Sunderland also faced injury troubles as Dan Ballard sustained a hamstring injury late in Northern Ireland's 1-0 win over Georgia, which coach Michael O'Neill confirmed will rule him out for the remaining fixtures this month. Injury concerns are not limited to Premier League teams, as Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe has been sidelined for at least two weeks following a knee injury incurred while scoring during Zinedine Zidane’s debut in charge of France. Bayern Munich's Jamal Musiala also had to withdraw due to a muscle injury sustained during warm-ups for the match against the Netherlands.