Those hoping for a positive news from Pep Guardiola regarding Benjamin Mendy‘s fitness will have been left disappointed by the Manchester City manager’s one-word response to a question on the left-back’s condition: “injured”.
When pressed for further detail on the French international, Guardiola said that Mendy had a problem with a bone in his foot, though didn’t know long City would be without their attack-minded full-back.
Those who own Pedro and/or Henrikh Mkhitaryan will be left sweating on their mid-price midfield assets after both players picked up injuries in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday.
Neither Unai Emery or Maurizio Sarri thought either player’s problem was serious, however, so the pair may well feature for their respective clubs on Sunday: whether that will be from the start, of course, is another question.
Pedro took to social media on Friday morning to say “everything’s OK” concerning his shoulder injury, though Chelsea’s return flight from Greece was delayed by bad weather on Thursday evening and further updates are awaited from Sarri in his pre-match press conference.
Jurgen Klopp ruled Adam Lallana and Dejan Lovren out of Liverpool’s match against Southampton tomorrow, but more pertinently for Fantasy Premier League managers said Roberto Firmino was “ready to start”. The Brazilian had to make do with a substitute’s appearance in midweek but would appear likely to return to the starting XI in Gameweek 6.
Rotation worries hang over Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, of course, with Xherdan Shaqiri waiting in the wings.
Klopp jumped to Salah’s defence in his pre-match presser on Friday, highlighting the Egyptian’s defensive work while maintaining last season’s top goalscorer was “still a threat” in attack.
Dele Alli and Moussa Sissoko have returned to training for Spurs, meanwhile, though Hugo Lloris remains out with a thigh complaint.
Their opponents this weekend, Brighton and Hove Albion, will once again be without their talismanic German, Pascal Gross, who has an ankle knock.
While almost 10% of FPL managers fret on Luke Shaw‘s return to the starting XI in the Premier League, Jose Mourinho ruled out Diogo Dalot, Marcos Rojo and Ander Herrera for the visit of Wolves tomorrow. Nemanja Matic and Marcus Rashford are suspended, meanwhile, but Phil Jones is now available for selection after missing the last two league fixtures.
Everton’s injury crisis is easing week by week, with Michael Keane and Yerry Mina returning to training to offer alternative options at centre-back. Richarlison is also available after suspension, though Seamus Coleman, Andre Gomes and Phil Jagielka remain sidelined.
Manolo Gabbiadini (hamstring) is Mark Hughes’ only fitness concern for the trip to Anfield, though Danny Ings is ineligible to face his parent club.
Manuel Pellegrini is hopeful Marko Arnautovic will recover from a knee injury ahead of the visit of Chelsea, though Jack Wilshere is ruled out.
Junior Stanislas is back in contention to feature for Bournemouth for the first time in six months, though Charlie Daniels is still a doubt.
The Cherries’ opponents this weekend, Burnley, will again be without Robbie Brady, Steven Defour and Ben Gibson.
Christian Benteke is Crystal Palace’s only major absentee through injury, while Jamaal Lascelles is fit for Newcastle United ahead of their trip to Selhurst Park.
Aron Gunnarsson has suffered a setback for Cardiff City after picking up a knock in training, while Neil Warnock said a virus was affecting the Bluebirds’ squad ahead of the visit of Manchester City.
Slavisa Jokanovic will once again be without Tom Cairney, Neeskens Kebano and Tim Ream for the visit of Watford, who will only have Gerard Deulofeu and Tom Cleverley unavailable.
The suspended Wes Morgan and the injured Matty James are Leicester City’s only absentees, while Huddersfield Town have a clean bill of health apart from winger Ramadan Sobhi.
Nuno Espirito Santo, meanwhile, said there were no injury worries for Wolverhampton Wanderers ahead of their trip to Old Trafford.
Our “Conference Call” round-up of the pre-match pressers can be viewed here or in the embedded video below:
Check out our Team News tab for a club-by-club round-up of the injury news, press conference soundbites and predicted line-ups.
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