West Ham’s want-away Dimitri Payet is excluded from the squad to face Palace. Theo Walcott and Hector Bellerin look set to miss out as Arsenal travel to Swansea, while Chris Brunt will be assessed ahead of West Brom’s visit to Spurs.
Slaven Bilic has conceded that Dimitri Payet won’t be considered for selection after asking to leave West Ham in the winter transfer window. Michail Antonio is currently suffering from a virus but the Hammers boss remains hopeful he will return to training today ahead of a home match with Crystal Palace. James Collins is back in contention after recovering from a calf complaint.
Reports suggest that Hector Bellerin and Theo Walcott remain sidelined through ankle and calf problems respectively for Arsenal’s trip to Swansea, with the latter also expected to miss next week’s clash against Burnley. Mesut Ozil is back in contention, though, after recovering from illness.
Heurelho Gomes, Jose Holebas and Juan Camilo Zuniga are all available for Watford’s clash with Middlesbrough. Walter Mazzarri is hopeful on returns for Valon Behrami and Stefano Okaka, though Daryl Janmaat remains a big doubt and Isaac Success is still sidelined through injury.
Victor Valdes and Viktor Fischer are set to return for Middlesbrough’s clash with Watford, though Antonio Barragan and Gaston Ramirez are set to miss out.
Swansea’s Neil Taylor is ruled out for around three weeks with a fractured cheekbone sustained in training. New signing Luciano Narsingh is unavailable to face Arsenal due to a minor calf complaint.
Steven Davis will be assessed ahead of Southampton’s trip to Burnley, though Jordy Clasie has been passed fit after being withdrawn late on during the midweek cup win over Liverpool.
Erik Lamela remains sidelined for Spurs’ home match with West Brom due to an ongoing ankle complaint.
Jamie Vardy and Andy King have both recovered from illness and are available for Leicester’s clash with Chelsea. Leonardo Ulloa is almost certain to miss out due to a thigh problem, while Claudio Ranieri has confirmed that new signing Wilfred Ndidi could be in line for his league debut.
Stoke are without Jon Walters for the trip to Sunderland, with the Irishman set to undergo knee surgery. Bojan is a major doubt due to a hip problem as rumours of a move to Middlesbrough gather pace.
Chris Brunt will be assessed ahead of West Brom’s trip to Spurs after missing the FA Cup clash against Derby due to illness. Jonny Evans remains sidelined through injury, whilst the Baggies are still waiting for clearance on Allan Nyom, who has returned to the club after opting not to play for Cameroon in the Africa Cup of Nations.
Sam Allardyce is optimistic that Christian Benteke will recover from a shoulder problem in time for Palace’s trip to West Ham. James McArthur is expected to be available after returning to full training.
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 for breaking news – as the day unfolds, we will issue updates from Friday’s press conferences and refresh our Team News tab accordingly to keep you informed.
7 years, 3 months agoWho to captain?
A) In form Alli
B) Sanchez against weak defence
C) Giroud
D) Costa