Wilfried Bony limps out of Swansea’s match against Valencia with a hamstring problem. Kieran Gibbs is back for Arsenal’s trip to Cardiff, Robert Huth and Marko Arnautovic will miss Stoke’s visit to Everton, Antonio Luna returns for Villa, whilst Mike Williamson is set to start for Newcastle’s home game with West Brom tomorrow evening. Here’s a quick round-up from yesterday’s press conferences:
Kieran Gibbs has recovered from the illness that forced him out of Arsenal’s midweek Champions League win over Marseille. Arsene Wenger was a little cryptic during yesterday’s press conference, however. The Gunners boss conceded that, while he has no injuries, he has “little concerns” ahead of the trip to Cardiff.
Antonio Luna is back in the Villa squad to face Sunderland tomorrow, Paul Lambert has confirmed. The Spaniard has missed the last three Gameweeks with a thigh problem and his return looks set to see Ciaran Clark and Nathan Baker battle it out for a place alongside Ron Vlaar at centre-half. Lambert also revealed Gabby Agbonlahor and Andreas Weimann “seem ok” after returning to action from the bench in Monday’s derby at West Brom.
Leighton Baines joins Arouna Kone and Darron Gibson on the sidelines for Everton’s home clash with Stoke. Aside from those three, Roberto Martinez expects everyone to be fit, despite a sickness bug affecting players’ ability to train this week. Martinez also revealed he has yet to decide on who will replace Baines and has been assessing his options in training, though conceded he is unlikely to rush Antolin Alcaraz back into the fold – the Paraguayan was handed a 45-minute run-out for the reserves earlier in the weeks after months out with a hamstring injury.
Gus Poyet has a number of issues at the back for Sunderland’s trip to Villa. Kieran Westwood remains a doubt, whilst there are also question marks over Andrea Dossena and Modibo Diakite – Carlos Cuellar is definitely out, though, having picked up a hip injury.
Marko Arnautovic and Robert Huth are both out of Stoke’s trip to Goodison. The Austrian is expected to be sidelined for a couple of weeks with a hamstring injury, whilst Huth requires monitoring after picking up a knee problem. Stephen Ireland is back in the squad, though, after missing last week’s win over Sunderland.
Alan Pardew has confirmed Mike Williamson is a definite starter for Newcastle’s home game with West Brom on Saturday evening. With Mathieu Debuchy set to retunr at right-back after a one-game suspension, Williamson (priced at 4.4 in the Fantasy Premier League) looks likely to be named in the XI for the seventh successive game – Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa is set to drop to the bench, with Fabricio Coloccini partnering Williamson in the middle.
Swansea are sweating on the fitness of Wilfried Bony and Angel Rangel after both were forced off during last night’s Europa League loss to Valencia. Bony was withdrawn during the first half with a hamstring injury and, after the game, Michael Laudrup conceded his summer signing is set for scans, amid fears he could be sidelined for “several weeks”, whilst Rangel was forced off just before the final whistle with a calf complaint. Pablo Hernandez returned to action from a thigh injury, though, and will be available for Sunday’s trip to City.
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 Friday’s press conferences unfold.
