Jack Wilshere is set for a spell on the sidelines, whilst Alexis Sanchez is ruled out of the Gunners clash with West Ham. Stoke skipper Ryan Shawcross is out for a couple of months. Alan Pardew has confirmed the availability of both Yohan Cabaye and Yannick Bolasie for the Eagles. Romelu Lukaku is a doubt for Everton’s home tie with Watford, whilst Wes Morgan has been declared fit and available ahead of Leicester’s clash with Sunderland.
Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Jack Wilshere has been ruled out “for a few weeks” after the England midfielder sustained a hairline crack to his left fibula, following an accidental collision in training. Wenger has stated that he doesn’t think Alexis Sanchez will be involved at the weekend, following his Copa America exploits, suggesting “it is a bit early maybe.” Danny Welbeck and Tomas Rosicky are on a “progressive recovery” and remain out of the weekend visit of West Ham through injury. Earlier this morning, Wenger also revealed that Alexis Sanchez will miss out this weekend due to a lack of match fitness but “should be available in ten days”.
Stoke have been dealt a significant blow in defence, with Ryan Shawcross set to miss at least the next two months of action. Shawcross suffered a recurrence of the back problem that troubled him last season, and will undergo surgery next week.
Alan Pardew will be able to field marquee signing Yohan Cabaye against the newly-promoted Canaries, after confirming that the midfielder has shaken off a dead leg and returned to training ahead of the weekend. There is more positive news on Yannick Bolasie, with the winger also passed fit to face Norwich. Elsewhere Marouane Chamakh has been ruled out with a knock and joins Frazier Campbell on the sidelines.
Steve McClaren has conceded he will make a late decision on whether to start new boys Aleksandar Mitrovic and Chancel Mbemba for Sunday’s home clash with Southampton, given that neither have a full pre-season under their belt.
Romelu Lukaku’s hamstring “needs extra assessment” ahead of Everton’s home clash with Watford. Meanwhile, summer signing Gerard Deulofeu could be available, while both Kevin Mirallas and John Stones are expected to be fit, confirmed Roberto Martinez.
Newly appointed Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri has confirmed that captain Wes Morgan is fit and available for selection this weekend, following his summer exploits for Jamaica. New signings N’Golo Kante and Yohan Benalouane may not be feature however, with the Italian insisting “it’s too early to say yes or no.”
Watford pair Almen Abdi and Steven Berghuis are expected to miss the trip to Goodison, though playmaker Jurado has recovered from a muscle injury.
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.
