The Gameweek Team News

Harry Kane could make a shock return for Spurs at Chelsea this Sunday afternoon, though the Blues have concerns at the back.

Meanwhile, Charlie Austin is pushing to make his comeback for Southampton, while an update on the fitness of Sergio Aguero is expected later today.

Here’s our summary of the team news so far, with plenty of big-name press conferences still to come.

Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino has thrown a spanner in the works of Wildcarding Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers ahead of tomorrow morning’s deadline.

At yesterday’s press conference, the Argentine surprisingly confirmed that Harry Kane is in with a chance of featuring against Chelsea this weekend:

“He is very positive and he is doing very well. Every day he is improving.

We need to assess in the next few days. It’s difficult now to say yes or no. I cannot say no, but I cannot say yes.

Maybe next weekend. But the most important (thing) is that we are so positive about his recovery, and we are doing fantastic, and we are so happy”.

While a return against Stoke City in Gameweek 33 is perhaps more realistic for the forward, Kane’s potential comeback at Stamford Bridge could have a significant impact on managers’ plans.

Over 405,000 have parted company with the Spurs striker this week, with Romelu Lukaku and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang the most popular replacements.

Given that Kane has a Double Gameweek 34 on the horizon, many Wildcarders may now surely be reconsidering plan for their frontlines.

Meanwhile, Chelsea manager Antonio Conte revealed that both Thibaut Courtois and Andreas Christensen will be assessed ahead of Sunday’s encounter. But David Luiz faces another three weeks out due to ongoing knee problems, while Ross Barkley remains unavailable. Gary Cahill is set to return in defence if Christensen misses out.

Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson is expected to be without the injured Jeffrey Schlupp for the home clash against Liverpool, while Wilfried Zaha, James Tomkins and Alexander Sorloth will all be assessed.

Dejan Lovren (ankle) will be checked ahead of the trip to Selhurst Park, while Emre Can (back) and Joe Gomez (ankle) are ruled out. But Nathaniel Clyne returns to the squad and could now challenge Trent Alexander-Arnold for the right-back berth against his former club. Meanwhile, Andrew Robertson has trained and is expected to be available after shaking off a dead leg while playing for Scotland.

Brighton & Hove Albion manager Chris Hughton revealed that Gaetan Bong is available for the home encounter against Leicester City, but a late decision will be made on midfielder Dale Stephens. Anthony Knockaert is suspended, while on-loan striker Leonardo Ulloa is ineligible to face his parent club.

As for the Foxes, they will be without injured midfielder Matty James, while Kelechi Iheanacho could play with a protective cast on the broken hand he suffered while on international duty with Nigeria.

Manchester United pair Ashley Young and Scott McTominay suffered minor injuries while away on international duty, and will be assessed ahead of the home meeting with Swansea City. Phil Jones and Ander Herrera are close to first-team returns, with Jose Mourinho expected to provide an update on the duo later today. Marcos Rojo returned to contention for Argentina in midweek and offers competition at both left-back and centre-half.

Jordan Ayew will miss Swansea’s trip to Old Trafford due to suspension, but Ki Sung-yueng and Andy King are both expected to start despite featuring heavily for their countries over the last 10 days.

Matt Ritchie is likely to be fit for Newcastle United’s home clash with Huddersfield Town after the midfielder withdrew from the Scotland squad with a reported groin problem. Islam Slimani may be available to make his long-awaited Magpies debut after featuring for Algeria over the international break following a thigh injury.

Terriers boss David Wagner has revealed that Aaron Mooy and Philip Billing are both in contention for the trip to St James’ Park after the pair returned back early from international duty due to minor injuries. Terence Kongolo is also available to return after missing the last two matches and is expected to reclaim the left-back berth.

None of Watford’s injured contingent are ready to return for the home meeting with Bournemouth, although Will Hughes could push for a start after coming on as a substitute in each of the last three matches.

Cherries boss Eddie Howe has revealed that Adam Smith is set to miss Bournemouth’s next couple of matches due to a knee injury, but Asmir Begovic and Simon Francis both look set to be okay for the trip to Vicarage Road. Josh King is a slight concern due to personal reasons, Lys Mousset (illness) is doubtful, while Harry Arter (calf) remains a major concern.

Daniel Sturridge is unlikely to be ready to feature in West Bromwich Albion’s home clash against Burnley. Gareth Barry and Nacer Chadli could be set to return, but James Morrison is expected to remain out.

Johann Berg Gudmundsson is expected to be available for the trip to The Hawthorns after he was able to train yesterday following a knock picked up on international duty. Tom Heaton stepped up his fitness with another run out for the reserves earlier this week but seems unlikely to replace Nick Pope in goal this weekend.

David Moyes will welcome back Arthur Masuaku to the squad for West Ham United’s crucial home fixture with Southampton following the defender’s six-match ban. Edimilson Fernandes is also fit to return, but Manuel Lanzini (muscle problem) and Cheikhou Kouyate (illness) are slight doubts, while James Collins (hamstring) is a major concern.

Mark Hughes could be boosted by the availability of Charlie Austin to the squad for the trip to the London Stadium. The forward hasn’t featured since Gameweek 19 following a hamstring injury. Ryan Bertrand was pictured in training yesterday after withdrawing from the England squad due to a back injury and is expected to be available.

Idrissa Gueye (muscle problem) and Tom Davies (head injury) are concerns for Everton ahead of the home meeting with Manchester City. Sam Allardyce will again be without the suspended Ashley Williams.

Sergio Aguero (knee) and Fabian Delph (muscle problem) will both be assessed ahead of City’s visit to Goodison Park. Gabriel Jesus was among the goals for Brazil against Germany on Tuesday and is favourite to lead the line should Aguero still be troubled by injury.

Jack Wilshere is set to be available for Arsenal home encounter against Stoke City but he, along with the likes of Laurent Koscielny and Aaron Ramsey, could be rested ahead of Thursday night’s UEFA Europa League clash against CSKA Moscow. Sead Kolasinac (knee) is a doubt, while although Alexandre Lacazette is back in training, it’s uncertain whether he’s fit to feature.

Stoke will be without the injured Eric Choupo-Moting for the trip to the Emirates, but Mame Biram Diouf is available following a shoulder injury, having returned to action for Senegal over the break. Geoff Cameron (hamstring) is a slight doubt, while Charlie Adam begins his three-match suspension.

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 account 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.