Artur Boruc is out for a number of weeks with a broken hand for Southampton, whilst Kelvin Davis is also injured ahead of the visit of Villa. Philippe Coutinho is fit for Liverpool’s home game with Norwich, though Kolo Toure is doubtful with a hip problem. Bacary Sagna is likely to miss out for Arsenal. Angel Rangel is out for at least a fortnight for Swansea, who expect Michu back in training this week. Sam Allardyce and Alan Pardew both talk rotation, whilst Tony Pulis looks to Cameron Jerome and Marouane Chamakh to grab the goals in his first home game in charge of Palace. Here’s a summary of the press conferences so far:
Southampton boss Mauricio Pochettino handed Fantasy managers an early-morning heads-up in his pre-9 a.m press conference. The Argentine confirmed Artur Boruc is out for “some weeks” with the broken hand sustained at Chelsea, whilst Saints second-choice stopper Kelvin Davis is also out of tomorro’s match with Villa, as is Morgan Schneiderlin, Danny Fox, Gaston Ramirez and Guly Do Prado, as the injuries start to build.
Arsene Wenger has revealed Bacary Sagna is expected to miss tomorrow’s match against Hull, with Carl Jenkinson set to deputise at right-back. Steve Bruce will check on the availability of Paul McShane, who has recently been sidelined due to a hamstring problem, whilst the Tigers boss admitted James Chester may be handed his first start since Gameweek 5 after finally recovering from a similar complaint and taking a place on the bench last week.
Brendan Rodgers has confirmed Philippe Coutinho “will be fine for Wednesday” after the Brazilian picked up an ankle problem prior to the weekend loss at Hull. Coutinho is poised to return to the Reds starting XI against the Canaries, though Kolo Toure is a doubt after picking up a hip problem towards the end of the 3-1 defeat at the KC Stadium.
Sam Allardyce has admitted he could be set to freshen up his starting XI ahead of this evening’s encounter at Palace:
“We have only a few niggles from Saturday’s game. We don’t consider they will cause us any difficulties in terms of the selection process, but having three games in a week, it may be about asking other squad players to step in and do a job on Tuesday or on Saturday.”
Alan Pardew has also hinted at rotation as Newcastle make their way to Swansea. The Magpies boss has tinkered less than most managers over the last few games, but conceded he may hand a few squad players a run out at the Liberty:
“A few have been knocking on my door this morning asking to play. Steven Taylor, Hatem Ben Arfa, Papiss Cisse, Vurnon Anita and Jonas Gutierrez – they’re all desperate to play. We’ve got real competition for places. That bodes well. We’re going to need to freshen it up and change it.”
Both Roberto Martinez and Chris Hughton confirmed they have no new injury concerns ahead of trips to United and Liverpool respectively.
Tony Pulis has talked up the partnership of Marouane Chamakh and Cameron Jerome ahead of his first home match in charge of Palace. The former Stoke boss looks poised to retain the 4-4-2 rolled out at Norwich last week, as he went on to say:
“I really hope we can get him on board because he’s got really good quality. He linked up well with Cameron, and we have to make sure those two have a partnership and a relationship and that they play together as a pair.”
Michael Laudrup has received a significant boost after scans revealed Wilfried Bony will be sidelined for just 10 days with a hamstring injury. The Swansea summer signing was feared to be out for a number of weeks but will be back before the turn of the year – as will Angel Rangel, who misses up to three weeks with a calf injury. Reports in the local press also suggest Michu may be back in training this week, though tomorrow’s game with Newcastle will come too soon.
All this and more has now been updated in the Team News section ahead of this evening’s deadline. Keep an eye on our official Twitter stream for breaking news as Tuesday’s press conferences unfold in what is shaping up to be a busy day for Fantasy managers.
