Anthony Martial (illness), Romelu Lukaku (personal reasons) and Alexis Sanchez (hamstring) are all back in contention for Manchester United after returning to training, with the attacking trio set to be assessed ahead of the visit of Bournemouth.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said:
Romelu [Lukaku], Anthony [Martial] and Alexis were [in] light [training] yesterday so hopefully they can join part of the training today and let’s see after they’ve come through.
Marcos [Rojo] and Scott [McTominay] look like they can take part very soon as well, so it’s looking better. Smalling has got a sore foot, so I don’t think we’ll see him until the New Year anyway – maybe not even before Spurs.
Pedro (hamstring) will be unavailable for Chelsea on Sunday, with the Blues likely to be missing another winger in the form of Callum Hudson-Odoi (hamstring).
That may push Eden Hazard back onto the left flank, though Maurizio Sarri was once again effusive in his praise of the Belgian as a central striker:
He is able to play as a winger and he is able to play in the centre of the pitch. I’m really very happy with him in this position because he’s able to score firstly, but also open spaces for team-mates and come to play with team-mates. I’m happy with him in the position but in the future he can play as a winger of course.
I cannot see the problem of Hazard in this role, he played four matches as a false nine, scored three goals and has three assists, so I’m not able to see the problem.
In this moment we need to be solid and with Hazard in this position I think we can become more solid, it’s a good option for the defensive phase but it depends on the moment.
Shkodran Mustafi (ankle) could return to boost Arsenal’s defensive ranks in Gameweek 20 ahead of their trip to Anfield, where Liverpool will be missing James Milner (muscle).
Serge Aurier (muscle) and Dele Alli (hamstring) will be assessed ahead of Spurs’ match against Wolves, who will again be without Diogo Jota (hamstring).
We won’t hear from Pep Guardiola before tomorrow so we’re still in the dark regarding the availability of Fernandinho (thigh) and Gabriel Jesus (knock), both of whom missed the Boxing Day defeat against Leicester City.
The Gameweek 20 preview section of Manuel Pellegrini’s presser is also embargoed until Saturday morning, so we await information on whether Marko Arnautovic (hamstring) or Javier Hernandez (knock) are able to return to face Burnley.
The Clarets themselves have major doubts over Robbie Brady (knock) and Steven Defour (calf).
Ademola Lookman (ankle) is Everton’s only injury worry for the match against Brighton, who will be missing Mathew Ryan after his departure for the Asian Cup. Chris Hughton confirmed that he is yet to make a decision over which £4.0m-rated goalkeeper he will choose as the Australian’s deputy.
Jonjo Shelvey (thigh) is fit for Newcastle, while Watford will have Will Hughes back after a hip problem.
Simon Francis (ruptured ACL) has suffered a season-ending knee injury and joins Adam Smith and Lewis Cook on the sidelines for Bournemouth.
Wayne Hennessey has recovered from a back problem so Crystal Palace are only without Christian Benteke (knee) for the visit of Chelsea.
Michael Obafemi (knock) looks set to remain unavailable for Southampton after missing the defeat to West Ham.
Claude Puel said that fatigue was an issue for Leicester City ahead of the visit of Cardiff City, who are again set to be without Kenneth Zohore (thigh).
Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa (unspecified injury) is Fulham’s only injury doubt for the clash with Huddersfield, who have no new fitness concerns.
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