Tomas Rosicky is a doubt for Arsenal. Everton’s Steven Pienaar is out for at least a fortnight. Ashkan Dejagah adds to Fulham’s injury woes. Hatem Ben Arfa returns for Newcastle, Sunderland are set to be without Steven Fletcher at Norwich, Crystal Palace will be without the services of Marouane Chamakh once more, whilst Morgan Amalfitano and Billy Jones remain sidelined for West Brom:
Arsene Wenger has confirmed Tomas Rosicky is Arsenal’s only injury worry for tomorrow lunchtime’s crunch encounter at Stamford Bridge. The Czech international has picked up an ankle problem and faces a fitness test later today.
Southampton have a number of concerns in midfield for the trip to Tottenham. In this morning’s press conference, Mauricio Pochettino has revealed Morgan Schneiderlin, Guly Do Prado and Gaston Ramirez are all concerns, whilst Victor Wanyama and Jack Cork remain doubts.
Roberto Martinez has ruled Steven Pienaar out of the clash with Swansea at the weekend. The Spaniard expects Pienaar to remain on the sidelines for two to three weeks with a knee problem. Meanwhile, the Toffees’ boss remains optimistic on club captain Phil Jagielka’s fitness, suggesting the defender is 50-50 for the visit of Swansea.
Fulham’s injury problems continue to mount as Felix Magath ruled out Ashkan Dejagah, Dan Burn, and Kostas Mitroglou for the Etihad trip. Scott Parker also remains sidelined with a knee problem, though Magath believes the midfielder could return to contention against Everton next week.
Hatem Ben Arfa will return to the Newcastle squad at the weekend, after missing the loss to Fulham due to personal reasons. Elsewhere Davide Santon is sidelined with tonsillitis, having not trained during the week.
Sunderland will be without Steven Fletcher against the Canaries this weekend. The club is awaiting a prognosis on the ankle injury that forced the forward off against Palace at the weekend, amid fears he could be ruled out for the rest of the season.
Tony Pulis has confirmed that the club remain without Marouane Chamakh because of a hamstring injury. Dwight Gayle is a doubt, having been sent for scans after picking up an injury in training during the week.
Baggies boss Pepe Mel will again be without injured duo Morgan Amalfitano and Billy Jones for the KC Stadium encounter at the weekend. Jonas Olsson has also been ruled out as he serves the first of a two-game suspension.
Chris Hughton has conceded that Michael Turner won’t be risked for the visit of Sunderland, having only just returned to action for the reserves following months out with a hamstring injury. Jonas Gutierrez (calf) is unlikely to face the Black Cats, with Hughton going on to say midfielder Leroy Fer is still “a few weeks” away from a return to action.
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.
