Alexis Sanchez and Santi Cazorla are sidelined with injuries picked up at Norwich last weekend. Watford will make a late decision on Heurelho Gomes’ fitness, Micah Richards is a concern for Villa, whilst West Ham’s Diafra Sakho is set for a period on the sidelines.
Earlier this morning, Arsene Wenger confirmed that Theo Walcott and Laurent Koscielny might be ready to return for the visit of Sunderland – both face late assessments tomorrow. The Gunners boss admitted he was uncertain over Alexis Sanchez’ likely return date, though Santi Cazorla could be sidelined until March. Kieran Gibbs is back for the Gunners after missing the trip to Carrow Road with a calf complaint.
Micah Richards is a big doubt for Villa’s trip to Southampton – he’s hardly trained all week due to a knee problem. Gabby Agbonlahor is back in training whilst both Jose Angel Crespo and Tiago Ilori are still sidelined. Remi Garde has confirmed that Jack Grealish remains unavailable for first-team selection due to recent off-field issues. Elsewhere, Ciaran Clark serves a one-match suspension after earning a fifth yellow card of the season last weekend.
Slaven Bilic has conceded that the Hammers are set to be without Diafra Sakho for “a few games, definitely” after the Senegal international sustained a thigh injury during last week’s draw against West Brom.
Jermain Defoe and Seb Larsson have both been ruled out of Sunderland’s trip to Arsenal, Sam Allardyce confirmed yesterday. Jack Rodwell is also unavailable for the Emirates encounter due to a hamstring problem.
Tony Pulis has revealed that West Brom will assess “one or two knocks and niggles” ahead of their home clash with Spurs. Claudio Jacob sits this one out through suspension, though Chris Brunt is back in contention after serving a one-match ban.
Ryan Mason has been ruled out with an ankle injury for Spurs’ trip to the Hawthorns. Dele Alli is available again after serving a one-match ban, whilst Nabil Bentaleb and Nacer Chadli are close to returning to training.
Swansea left-back Franck Tabanou is the only absentee ahead of their Liberty encounter with Leicester.
Quique Sanchez Flores will make a late assessment on Heurelho Gomes’ fitness after the keeper was forced off with a head knock last week. Valon Behrami remains sidelined for the Hornets, whilst Adlene Guedioura is expected to shrug off a minor knock. Sebastian Prodl has returned to training but will not be available in time for the visit of Norwich.
Alex Tettey has recovered from injury and has been passed fit for Norwich’s trip to Vicarage Road.
Leicester’s Ritchie de Laet has been ruled out for a month with an ankle injury sustained in training. Matty James stepped up his recovery from a long-term knee injury with a midweek run out for the reserves but is likely to miss out due to a lack of match fitness.
Cheick Tiote and Jamaal Lascelles are both unavailable for Newcastle’s home clash with Arsenal. Mike Williamson – who was recalled from a loan spell at Wolves to cover for Lascelles – has picked up a hamstring injury in training and is also ruled out.
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.
