Yannick Bolasie is in line to start for Palace at the Hawthorns. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is ruled out of Arsenal’s clash with United, Louis van Gaal plays down the seriousness of Anthony Martial’s hamstring problem, whilst Ryan Shawcross remains sidelined for Stoke’s battle with Villa at the Britannia. Here’s what we have so far ahead of the weekend’s eight matches.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been ruled out for a number of weeks with a knee injury sustained in Arsenal’s midweek Champions League clash with Barcelona. Arsene Wenger has also confirmed that Gabriel will undergo a late fitness test ahead of Sunday’s trip to United.
Tony Pulis is optimistic on Craig Dawson and Gareth McAuley’s chances of making West Brom’s home match with Palace after both trained all week. Pulis is also hopeful on Jonny Evans’s fitness, just four days after ruling the former United man out for “a whileâ€.
With Harry Kane missing out due to a broken nose, Nacer Chadli led the line for Tottenham’s win over Fiorentina last night as Mauricio Pochettino’s men progressed to the last 16 of the Europa League. Dele Alli retained his advanced central role behind the lone striker despite the absence of Mousa Dembele – Ryan Mason partnered Eric Dier in the double-pivot instead and grabbed the opener courtesy of an Alli assist. The latter’s second-half caution means he misses the first league of the next round of the competition. Reports in the local press earlier today indicate that Kane is set to return to training today ahead of Sunday’s encounter with Swansea.
Swansea, meanwhile, have a fully fit squad for the trip to White Hart Lane, Alan Curtis has confirmed.
Stoke skipper Ryan Shawcross has conceded he is “not quite ready†to return at home to Villa this weekend as he steps up his recovery from an ongoing back injury.
Alan Pardew reckons that fit-again Yannick Bolasie is ready to start for Palace this weekend after being utilised as a sub in the FA Cup win at Spurs last time out. Bakary Sako “is close†to a return to action, though the Eagles boss is still undecided over the winger’s weekend availability. Jason Puncheon is out for two more weeks, though.
Rudy Gestede has been passed fit for Villa’s trip to Stoke after recovering from a hamstring problem. Fellow forward Gabby Agbonlahor is also available after being forced off with dizziness last time out. Jack Grealish, Carlos Sanchez, Libor Kozak and Adama Traore are still sidelined, whilst Jordan Ayew serves the last of a three-match ban.
Andy Carroll and Winston Reid are back in training ahead of West Ham’s clash with Sunderland, though the latter is still a doubt for tomorrow. Enner Valencia will be assessed, though the Hammers have Cheick Kouyate available after the FA overturned his one-match ban in midweek.
Jose Manuel Jurado is likely to miss Watford’s clash with Bournemouth as he continues to recover from a calf complaint. Joel Ekstrand is back in training as he steps up his recovery from a hamstring injury.
Southampton have no new injury concerns ahead of their home clash with Chelsea, Ronald Koeman has confirmed. Florin Gardos and Jay Rodriguez are back in training from long-term injuries, though neither are available yet, with the Saints boss admitting that the latter will be handed some minutes with the reserves over the next couple of weeks before being considered for selection.
Daniel Amartey is in contention to make his Leicester debut, according to Claudio Ranieri. With Danny Simpson serving a one-match suspension, the Foxes boss revealed that he’s considering Amartey, Marcin Wasilewski and even Marc Albrighton for the right-back berth at home to Norwich. Jeffrey Schlupp has returned to full training after finally overcoming a hamstring problem.
Billy Jones, Younes Kaboul, Jan Kirchhoff and Seb Larsson are all available for Sunderland’s trip to West Ham tomorrow lunchtime. Jeremain Lens remains sidelined with a hernia problem but has a chance of returning next weekend, though Duncan Watmore faces weeks out due to ankle ligament damage.
Anthony Martial was withdrawn from the United starting line-up last night after picking up a hamstring problem during the warm-up. Post-match, Louis van Gaal played down the Frenchman’s complaint, though it remains to be seen if he’ll be ready for Sunday’s home encounter with Arsenal.
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.
