The Weekend Team News

Alexis Sanchez is unlikely to feature for Arsenal’s home clash with Villa this weekend. West Ham have concerns in defence ahead of their trip to Anfield. Kevin Mirallas and James McCarthy could return for Everton’s trip to Crystal Palace, Paul Dummett is ruled out through injury for Newcastle, whilst Mamadou Sakho is likely to be available for Liverpool, despite missing training yesterday.

Arsene Wenger has conceded he is “unlikely to risk” Alexis Sanchez, who picked up a hamstring problem in training. The weekend will come too soon for Danny Welbeck, with Wenger suggesting the forward could return for the north London derby, whilst Jack Wilshere, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Mikel Arteta remain sidelined by injury.

West Ham could be forced into a defensive reshuffle at Anfield, with Sam Allardyce confirming that both Carl Jenkinson and James Tomkins are rated as “touch and go”. The Hammers could be boosted by the return of James Collins, who is back in training after coming off injured against Hull, whilst Alex Song and Joey O’Brien have also emerged as injury concerns ahead of the Liverpool trip.

James McCarthy could return from a hamstring injury for the trip to Selhurst Park along with Kevin Mirallas, with Roberto Martinez revealing that the pair “have a chance” of being involved. Mo Besic is available for the Toffees after recovering from a knock, though Martinez has confirmed that Leon Osman, Steven Pienaar and Tim Howard remain on the treatment table.

Newcastle caretaker boss John Carver has ruled out Paul Dummett for the weekend with a hamstring injury. The stand-in Magpies boss, though, has suggested that the previously injured trio of Gabriel Obertan, Mehdi Abeid and Davide Santon will all be involved against Hull. There is less positive news on Siem de Jong, with Carver reckoning the weekend will come too soon for the Dutchman.

Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho missed training on Thursday, but is expected to return today and prove his fitness in time for the weekend visit of West Ham. Further forward, Liverpool look set to welcome back Daniel Sturridge from injury, with reports suggesting the striker will be amongst the subs when the Reds face off against West Ham on Saturday.

Steve Bruce rolled out an injury update in this morning’s press conference. The Hull boss is optimistic that Nikica Jelavic, Abel Hernandez, Alex Bruce and Andrew Robertson could be available once again. Gaston Ramirez is now fully fit, though Mo Diame is sidelined for at least another month.

Leicester forward Chris Wood will be out for two to three weeks with an ankle problem, according to Nigel Pearson, though Dean Hammond is available again after missing the Stoke and Spurs clashes through injury. The Foxes will also be boosted by the return of Liam Moore, who has overcome an ankle injury in time for the weekend. Matthew Upson could be set to be available for selection for Leicester after returning from ankle surgery.

All this and more has now been updated in the Team News section ahead of tomorrow’s deadline. Keep an eye on our official Twitter Stream as breaking news unfolds.