Jose Mourinho complaining about other managers complaining about injuries got us thinking about which club has the busiest treatment table in the Premier League. Much like how the referee always has an agenda against your team, the feeling your club is particularly susceptible to injuries is one of football fans' most popular illusions. So let us try to dispel all the conjecture and establish which team has really suffered the most.

The method

The following data has been by provided eminent injury analyst Ben Dinnery of Premier Injuries.com. Collecting injury data is complex, and there are a couple of caveats before we start. Each club has a total number of 'days lost to injury', but only injuries that keep a player out for 10 days or longer (significant injuries) are considered. This is because a player could sustain a minor injury on a Saturday and return to training on Wednesday - three days lost - but if his team do not play until the following Sunday that would be recorded as an inaccurate seven days lost.

Also, the data is for injuries sustained since the start of the 2017-18 season. Long-term absences such as Marcos Rojo, Santi Cazorla or Adam Lallana are not statistically covered, but shall be considered when evaluating each club.

Liverpool

74 days lost to injury

Jurgen Klopp's team are renowned for their pressing and high-intensity sprints, and they suffered a succession of muscular injuries during his first season at Anfield. However, this season they have lost fewer days to injury than any other club. Sadio Mane was absent for a few weeks with a hamstring problem, and Nathaniel Clyne and Lallana are still awaiting their first appearances of the season due to back and thigh injuries respectively. Daniel Sturridge has managed to stay available for selection for most of the campaign, which knocks off a large proportion of their days lost in previous season.

Verdict: No excuses

Southampton

78 days lost to injury

The south coast club have done an excellent job keeping their best players available, with Virgil van Dijk's hiatus at the start of the season in the 'self-inflicted' category. Mario Lemina is currently absent due to a foot injury sustained last month and Charlie Austin has missed the odd game due to unidentified 'knocks'. However, they have enjoyed good health so far. If only they could score a goal.

Verdict: No excuses

Chelsea

116 days lost to injury

The champions have not lost many days to injury, but the absences they have suffered were in key areas and keenly felt. N'Golo Kante missed an important run of games with a knee problem, Antonio Conte struggled to replace Alvaro Morata when he sustained a hamstring injury while the loss of Victor Moses unbalanced the team and forced Cesar Azpilicueta into a wing-back role.

Verdict: Hard done by

N'Golo Kante picked up an injury on international duty credit: Rueters

West Brom

128 days lost to injury

Craig Dawson is out until close to Christmas with a knee injury, while Tony Pulis is also currently without midfielder James Morison. The former Stoke manager cannot blame nine league games without a victory on injuries, however. Summer signings Jay Rodriguez, Kieran Gibbs and Grzegorz Krychowiak have been consistently available.

Verdict: No excuses

Tottenham Hotspur

140 days lost to injury

Another club with a reputation for working their players incredibly hard, but Mauricio Pochettino's double sessions are not taking too much of a toll thus far. Toby Alderweireld and Hugo Lloris could well increase the number of days lost in the coming weeks. Erik Lamela and Victor Wanyama have been out since last summer, while Moussa Dembele's struggle to stay fit has continued. Given Spurs, do not have the top six's biggest squad, Mauricio Pochettino deserves to be lauded for coping without last season's first choice midfielder pairing.

Verdict: Hard done by

Manchester City

143 days lost to injury

Benjamin Mendy's knee ligament injury accounts for the vast majority of Man City's days lost to injury, and there was serious misfortune in losing your £52 million left-back in his first few appearances for the club. Captain Vicent Kompany has also had to contend with a variety of knocks and strains, but Pep Guardiola's core of Ederson, John Stones, Fernandinho, David Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, Leory Sane, Raheem Sterling, Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus have all stayed fit.

Verdict: No excuses (but sorry, Benjamin Mendy)

Burnley

175 days lost to injury

One of the Premier League's smallest squad, but usually one of the fittest and least injury prone. However, two key injuries have inflated Sean Dyche's side tally of days lost: a shoulder injury to first choice goalkeeper Tom Heaton and knee injury to summer recruit John Walters. Nick Pope has deputised ably, but the loss of Heaton was a big blow for high-flying Burnley.

Verdict: Hard done by

Burnley lost England international Tom Heaton credit: Getty Images

Manchester United

185 days lost to injury

Not that Mourinho would ever talk about injuries, but United have not lost that many days to them. However, it is a matter of quality rather than quantity. Paul Pogba, who has proved to be irreplaceable, suffered their worst injury. Marcos Rojo is another long-term absentee from last season. Exacerbating their problems in midfield, Michael Carrick has been struggling with a heel problem and is also yet to play this season.

Verdict: Hard done by

Leicester City

195 days lost to injury

Craig Shakespeare must have been excited by the signing of Sevilla midfielder Vicente Iborra, but never got the chance to work with him as struggled for fitness in the season's early weeks. Defensive stalwart Robert Huth has also spent plenty of time on the treatment table, though Harry Maguire has made that less of a loss. Matty James, just returning from a serious injury, once again suffered a setback with an Achilles injury sustained in September.

Verdict: Hard done by

Brighton and Hove Albion

204 days lost to injury

Midfield veteran Steve Sidwell has missed a few months with a back problem, but aside from him newly promoted Brighton have kept their key men fit. If they are to achieve Premier League survival, Lewis Dunk, Anthony Knockaert, Pascal Gross, Solly March and Dale Stephens must play healthy.

Verdict: No excuses

Swansea City

213 days lost to injury

Swansea fans were excited by the summer arrival of Wilfried Bony and Renato Sanches, but soft-tissue injuries have hindered both of their attempts to make an impact. Kyle Bartley's knee ligament injury, sustained in August, also accounts for much of Swansea's tally and left them short at centre back.

Verdict: Hard done by

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West Ham United

237 days lost to injury

West Ham fans have long lamented their misfortune due to a succession of signings picking up serious injuries early into their West Ham careers, and this season has brought it's share of injury troubles. James Collins has been out since September with a foot problem, while Sam Byram is not due back until September. Michail Antonio also missed a few weeks before he was put on the naughty step. Remarkably however, Andy Carroll has managed to stay fit.

Verdict: Hard done by, but only just

Newcastle United

253 days lost to injury

Local lad Paul Dummett has missed the start of the season with a hamstring problem, while widemen Christian Atsu and Matt Ritchie have both had to contend with niggles. Despite their tally of days lost however, Rafa Benitez's side have not been without a key member of their first XI for any length of time.

Verdict: No excuses

Huddersfield Town

263 days lost to injury

David Wagner lost promising, young midfielder Philip Billing to an ankle injury that required surgery and is likely to keep him out until the new year. The newly-promoted club also lost Kasey Palmer and Michael Hefele. However, given how much running they put into every game, they have got by without too many debilitating absences.

Verdict: No excuses

Everton

265 days lost to injury

One of Everton's many problems this season is that their squad is filled by players who are either a bit too young to play regularly, or a bit past their peak. The age of their squad might also account for the injury problems. Ross Barkley and James McCarthy have been absent almost all season, and aside from the injuries sustained this season they await the return of Yannick Bolasie, Seamus Coleman and Ramiro Funes Mori. However, their summer transfer decisions have been more damaging than injury worries.

Verdict: Hard done by

Losing Nathaniel Chalobah was a cruel blow for Watford credit: Getty Images

Bournemouth

279 days lost to injury

Asmir Begovic's arrival has soother the loss of goalkeeper Adam Federici, but Eddie Howe will be cursing the numerous setbacks that have hindered the luckless Callum Wilson's return from two knee ligament injuries. Injuries to Benik Afobe and Junior Stanislas have also left Bournemouth short of firepower.

Verdict: Hard done by

Arsenal

301 days lost to injury

No club is associated with persistent injuries more than Arsenal, but they have cut down considerably on soft-tissue problems in recent seasons - and resting their Premier League first XI in the Europa League has helped. Nevertheless, Danny Welbeck has suffered a couple of muscle problems just as he looked to be gaining momentum, while Shkodran Mustafi and Calum Chambers' injuries have left them light on numbers at the back. Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez were eased in at the start of the campaign, but Arsenal have all their big hitters available now.

Verdict: No excuses

Stoke City

304 days lost to injury

Stephen Ireland is still the Invisible Man, while Stoke also had a spell in September where they lost all of their centre backs at once - including Bruno Martins Indi and captain Ryan Shawcross with a back injury. Overall however, Stoke are close to having a full-fit squad so Mark Hughes cannot complain too much.

Verdict: No excuses now, but hard done by early on

Crystal Palace

328 days lost to injury

Not only have Palace lost a considerable number of days to injury, but they lost the player they could least afford to given their dearth of striking options. Christian Benteke, for all his faults, ought to have been a regular source of goals and his knee injury has kept him out since September. Connor Wickham is also sidelined with a knee injury, and Palace had to do without their talisman Wilfried Zaha until October.

Verdict: Hard done by

Watford

408 days lost to injury

No club suffered more injuries last season, and despite a change of manager Watford are still the Premier League club who lost the most days to injuries. Nathaniel Chalobah started the season in promising fashion, but joined fellow prospect Issac Success in the medical room with a knee injury. Marco Silva's side currently have 10 players injured, including Younes Kaboul, Craig Cathcart and Roberto Pererya. New arrival Richarlison and the form of the returning Abdoulaye Doucouré has ensured they have prospered in spite of these ongoing problems.

Given the injury history at neighbours Arsenal, you have to ask if there's something in the water at London Colney?

Verdict: Hard done by