The headline news from Friday’s press conferences concerned Eden Hazard, who missed out in Gameweek 10 with a back injury.
Speaking of the widely owned Belgian midfielder’s availability, Maurizio Sarri said:
Yesterday, he had a large part of the training. Maybe he will not be ready to play for 90 minutes. Probably he will be able to play for 40-45 minutes and so for us it’s important.
I don’t know [if Hazard will play from the start or come on as a substitute]. I want to speak with him first.
The Chelsea coach also spoke in glowing terms about Ross Barkley, who seems set to return to the Chelsea starting XI after being rested for the Carabao Cup match against Derby County on Wednesday.
Sarri said:
He has a great technical quality, from the physical [point of view] he is improving after [last season’s] injury.
He improved from the tactical point of view so he is becoming a very important player for us.
Another popular midfield pick, Mohamed Salah, was sighted with a wrist splint but Jurgen Klopp reassured the Egyptian’s owners of his own availability for the trip to Arsenal on Saturday.
Klopp said:
Mo… it’s nothing really serious. It’s some kind of inflammation of the tendon. It’s only protection, the pictures you saw. It has no influence [on Saturday’s team selection].
The Liverpool manager will be without Jordan Henderson (hamstring) and Naby Keita (thigh) for the Gameweek 11 encounter with the Gunners, who will make a late decision on defensive quartet Sokratis (ankle), Nacho Monreal (hamstring), Hector Bellerin (muscle) and Sead Kolasinac (hamstring).
The third piece of team news to concern a premium FPL midfielder involves Kevin De Bruyne, who picked up a knee injury in Thursday night’s EFL Cup win over Fulham and was ruled out for between five and six weeks by Manchester City on Friday afternoon.
Pep Guardiola also has a doubt over centre-half Nicolas Otamendi (tendon), though Ilkay Gundogan (fitness) is at least close to featuring.
Manchester United welcome back Alexis Sanchez and Jesse Lingard to full fitness after the pair were restricted to cameo substitute appearances last weekend.
The Red Devils are tomorrow up against Bournemouth, who will once again be without Joshua King (ankle).
Victor Wanyama (knee) has been added to Tottenham Hotspur’s injury list, which also includes Eric Dier (thigh), Jan Vertonghen (hamstring) and Danny Rose (groin).
Manuel Pellegrini downplayed Marko Arnuatovic‘s knee issue in Friday’s press conference, saying this about the Austrian international:
I was just talking with him and he feels also that his knee is improving every week a little bit more.
Pellegrini also said the problem isn’t something that would require surgery, while Arnautovic has also recovered from the virus that forced his no-show in Gameweek 10.
Wilfried Zaha is another mid-price forward who has seemingly been given the all-clear this weekend. His manager, Roy Hodgson, said:
Wilf [Zaha] jarred his shoulder on a fall, which is quite painful, but there was never any question that he wouldn’t be fit for Sunday. He trained with everybody today.
Troy Deeney (hamstring) remains a big doubt for Watford, who travel to the north-east this weekend to face a Newcastle United side who will be without Ciaran Clark (illness).
Deeney’s place could once again be filled by budget forward Isaac Success, who has started the last two league games for the Hornets.
Diogo Jota will be unavailable for Wolves on Saturday, with boss Nuno Espirito Santo ruling him out with an unspecificed injury.
Daniel Amartey (ankle) has been ruled out for four months after surgery earlier this week, with Ricardo Pereira perhaps in line for a recall at right-back.
Cardiff City welcome back Harry Arter, meanwhile.
Davy Propper and Pascal Gross once again miss out for Brighton, while their hosts Everton have few injury problems and are only without backup defenders Phil Jagielka and Jonjoe Kenny.
Aaron Lennon has recovered from illness for Burnley, while Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is also fit after a bug and re-joins a fully-fit Southampton squad.
Huddersfield Town are near full-strength with only Danny Williams absent. Joe Bryan looks set to remain out for Fulham, meanwhile.
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5 years, 6 months agoIs Alonso more attacking when Hazard isn't in the side?