Diego Costa is suspended for Chelsea’s clash with Bournemouth but Eden Hazard is fit and available. Arsenal’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is sidelined for a Boxing Day visit from the Baggies, while Everton keeper Maarten Stekelenburg remains a doubt for the trip to Leicester.
Diego Costa and N’Golo Kante will serve one-match suspensions as Chelsea welcome Bournemouth to the Bridge. Antonio Conte confirmed that Eden Hazard is fit for the Cherries’ encounter after midweek reports suggested he was a minor doubt due to a knee problem.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is sidelined for Arsenal’s clash with West Brom due to the muscle injury that forced him off away to Man City. Arsene Wenger has also confirmed that Aaron Ramsey is back in full training, while Danny Welbeck joins in today after months out with a knee injury.
Marko Arnautovic remains suspended for Stoke’s trip to Liverpool, though Ibrahim Afellay has been included in the squad for the first time this term – the Dutchman stepped up his recovery from a long-term knee injury with a run out for the reserves last week. Reports suggest that stopper Jack Butland could be out for at least another two months after undergoing further surgery on his ongoing ankle injury.
West Ham’s Diafra Sakho could be sidelined until March after undergoing surgery on an ongoing back problem.
Viktor Fischer is sidelined “for at least two-to-three weeks” with a knee problem, according to Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka.
Tony Pulis is optimistic on Jonny Evans’ chances of making West Brom’s Boxing Day trip to Arsenal. Saido Berahino still needs more matches to up his match fitness, while James Morrison is rated a doubt due to flu.
Maarten Stekelenburg remains doubtful for Everton’s trip to Leicester with a leg problem sustained during Monday’s derby loss to Liverpool. James McCarthy is out for two-to-three weeks with a hamstring injury picked up in the same match.
Ki Sung-Yeung is back in full training and expected to be available for Swansea’s clash with West Ham. Federico Fernandez will be assessed after missing out recently with a foot problem.
Sebastian Prodl and Stefano Okaka will be assessed ahead of Watford’s clash with Palace after both returned to light training. Walter Mazzarri has conceded that Roberto Pereyra “will be out for some months” with a knee injury.
All this and more has now been updated in the Team News section ahead of Monday’s 11.30am 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.
