We continue our coverage of the pre-Gameweek 25 press conferences, with headline injury updates from all 18 Premier League managers whose teams are in action this weekend.
For much more detailed information, check out our Predicted Line-ups page and Injuries and Bans feed.
You can also watch Joe and Neale’s video round-up of the pressers below.
For other help and advice from our weekly Scout Picks to team reveals, head to our complete Gameweek 25 guide here.
LIVERPOOL
After Mohamed Salah made a 30-minute appearance against Leicester City, Jurgen Klopp won’t commit to a decision on Sadio Mane‘s availability after his victorious African Cup of Nations (AFCON) exploits.
“Sadio [Mane] will come now this morning for training. I assume he will be in full training and then we’ll make a decision after that, how he feels. Emotionally he’ll still be flying but physically we’ll have to see.” – Jurgen Klopp
The Reds look good on the injury front, with Jordan Henderson “definitely” back from a minor back issue and confirmation from Klopp that Joe Gomez (Covid) and Divock Origi (knee) are fine, they were just out of the Thursday night game because he’s in the rare position of having a big squad.
MANCHESTER UNITED
Three players have been ruled out of the Saturday lunchtime clash with Southampton – the first half of Double Gameweek 25. Fred (Covid), Nemanja Matic (shin) and Eric Bailly (ankle) won’t be there but Alex Telles (Covid) might be.
“Alex [Telles] resumed training yesterday. He might be available, I’ll have to speak to him about how he feels because he was out for almost two weeks. The three players who will not be available tomorrow are still Bailly, Fred, and Matic.” – Ralf Rangnick
MANCHESTER CITY
Still very little to report from Pep Guardiola, with only Gabriel Jesus (knock) and Cole Palmer (muscle) injured.
“These two players are still out. I think Gabriel [Jesus] is coming back soon, hopefully.”
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
It’s also nice and quiet for Spurs, where just Eric Dier (thigh), Japhet Tanganga (knee) and Oliver Skipp (groin) remain ruled out.
“Unfortunately, he’s not fit. For sure he’s a big loss for us. He needs more time to recover. I don’t know, I hope he will be available for the next game vs Man City.” – Antonio Conte on Dier
LEICESTER CITY
Brendan Rodgers wanted to make big changes following Leicester’s FA Cup elimination to Nottingham Forest and, thanks to their injury situation clearing up, was able to. All that’s missing right now is Jamie Vardy (hamstring), Wesley Fofana (leg), Jonny Evans (hamstring), Ryan Bertrand (knee) and Timothy Castagne (thigh).
NEWCASTLE UNITED
Kieran Trippier was withdrawn during the final stages of the 3-1 win over Everton but Eddie Howe doesn’t believe his calf strain is long-term and will make a late call on whether he can face Aston Villa. Fellow new signing Matt Targett can’t, as he is on loan from there. Dan Burn (toe) could make his debut and Paul Dummett (muscle) nears a return but the Magpies are still without Callum Wilson (calf), Matt Ritchie (knee) and Federico Fernandez (thigh).
“He’s ready to play. He’s shown all the technical qualities that we love about him in training already but it’s a case of managing the group & making sure I make the right selections. I thought the midfield balance against Everton was really good.” – Eddie Howe on Bruno Guimaraes
BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION
There was good news for owners of two Brighton midfielders ahead of their Double Gameweek 25 as Graham Potter confirmed that Leandro Trossard and Alexis Mac Allister are available for selection again, having missed Albion’s FA Cup defeat at Tottenham Hotspur because of Covid-19.
Enock Mwepu (hamstring) and Jeremy Sarmiento (hamstring) remain out, however.
“All the guys who were unavailable are available, other than Enock Mwepu and Jeremy Sarmiento. So we’re looking good.” – Graham Potter
WEST HAM UNITED
It’s still just Angelo Ogbonna (knee) and Arthur Masuaku (knee) out for the Hammers, with David Moyes again defending his decision to play centre-back Kurt Zouma against Watford despite his off-the-field controversy.
“Yes, he’s available to play against Leicester. It’s different views on should he be available or not. We as a club took the decision that we make him available, and I stand by that.”
LEEDS UNITED
Mateusz Klich was withdrawn late during the 3-3 at Villa Park because of cramp, with Marcelo Bielsa confirming that Patrick Bamford (foot), Junior Firpo (muscle), Kalvin Phillips (hamstring) and Liam Cooper (hamstring) are still out.
“Phillips, Cooper, Firpo and Bamford, like in the game against Villa, won’t be considered for the game against Everton.” – Marcelo Bielsa
EVERTON
Dominic Calvert-Lewin (knee) was an unused substitute against Newcastle, due to early injuries suffered by Demarai Gray (hip) and Yerry Mina (thigh). Whilst Gray sits out this weekend, Mina will miss around two months. Ben Godfrey (hamstring), Abdoulaye Doucoure (groin) and Fabian Delph (thigh) are also unavailable. Vitalii Mykolenko has Covid.
“Yerry’s is an unfortunate injury which will be between 8-10 weeks. It’s a strong injury around his quad. Demarai Gray won’t be fit for Leeds but hopefully a minor knock around his hip” – Frank Lampard
ASTON VILLA
There are no worries over Philippe Coutinho – taken off for precaution with tiredness. However, it’s likely that Emi Buendia (hip) and Bertrand Traore (hamstring) will miss the trip to Tyneside, joining Leon Bailey (muscle) and Marvelous Nakamba (knee) on the sidelines. Ezri Konsa is suspended after receiving his second red card of the season.
“Phil’s [Coutinho] fine. He got a bit of cramp in a few different areas, I’m sure he’ll be fine with a couple of recovery days. Emi’s [Buendia] slightly different because he has had some contact. He had a big whack in his hip area which is really sore. We’re hoping with some treatment and some good recovery [then] maybe he’s got an outside chance. At the moment, he’s a serious doubt.” – Steven Gerrard
WATFORD
Watford have no fresh injury concerns for Gameweek 25 but Roy Hodgson is unsure as to whether Ismaila Sarr will be able to feature against Brighton, as he will only return to training after Senegal’s post-AFCON celebrations on Friday.
“He comes back to training tomorrow, I think, so I shall see him then. I can’t say [if he will be available for Saturday]. I haven’t even met him yet, to be honest.
“The first thing will be to meet him, speak to him and welcome him back to the fold, and to congratulate him. The second thing will be to have an assessment alongside him as to where he is and how he’s feeling.
“You always hope that the players, who are signed by the club and contracted to the club, are anxious to do what the rest of us are also anxious to do. So I don’t think I’ll have any reason to doubt his commitment.” – Roy Hodgson on Ismaila Sarr
All of the injury updates concerned Fantasy footnotes, with Peter Etebo (foot) and Kwadwo Baah (thigh) back in training as they edge closer to a return and Rob Elliot (unspecified) passed fit again. Nicolas Nkoulou (hamstring) remains out.
NORWICH CITY
Mathias Normann (pelvic) and Billy Gilmour (ankle) made brief appearances against Crystal Palace but Lukas Rupp (hamstring) wasn’t risked due to a “slight tweak”. Dean Smith has confirmed that Josh Sargent (illness) is fit, although he’ll still be without Ozan Kabak (illness), Tim Krul (shoulder), Jakob Sorensen (knee) and Andrew Omobamidele (back). Christoph Zimmermann is still gathering match fitness after a long injury.
“Mathias (Normann) has been out for a while. He’s getting back to the fitness that’s required, this game may be too soon for a start” – Dean Smith
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS
Romain Saiss returned from AFCON duty to play against Arsenal. There is a doubt over Joao Moutinho, who has a knock to his calf, alongside the known injuries of Hwang Hee-chan (hamstring), Willy Boly (calf), Pedro Neto (knee) and Yerson Mosquera (thigh). Jonny made his long-awaited return to the matchday squad, although did not take part.
SOUTHAMPTON
Lyanco (hamstring) has an injury that will rule him out for eight-to-12 weeks. Nathan Tella (groin) and Alex McCarthy (hamstring) need more recovery time, with strong doubts over Nathan Redmond (ankle).
“We used the time so far for recovering. There are still a few guys who are not so fresh, but this is normal the second day after the game. We have another 24 hours, enough [time to ensure] we are in good shape [tomorrow]. Reddy [Redmond] is still out but Tino [Livramento] is back in the team and is an option for tomorrow.” – Ralph Hasenhuttl
CRYSTAL PALACE
James McArthur (hamstring) and James Tomkins (knock) made Crystal Palace’s bench on Wednesday night and Senegal’s Cheikhou Kouyate has returned from AFCON success. The only setback is Nathan Ferguson and a hamstring injury that will rule him out for five-to-six weeks.
“It’s a shame as he worked so hard to get back on the field with the team. But we’ll give him the support he needs to come back.” – Patrick Vieira
BURNLEY
The withdrawal of Maxwel Cornet during the Manchester United match was fatigue-related and Sean Dyche is certain that he’ll be fine to face Liverpool. Matej Vydra (hernia) and Johann Berg Gudmundsson (appendicitis) are out, with the same likely for Charlie Taylor (knock). Ashley Barnes made a cameo in midweek and will build on this with minutes for the under-23s.
“Maxwel [Cornet] will be fine, I’m sure of that. The longer-term situation… Vyds [Vydra] and Johann Gudmundsson are making good progress but are going to be a few weeks, I think. Charlie Taylor, we’re having to be careful with – he’s beginning to make progress but I doubt he’ll be ready for this one.” – Sean Dyche
BRENTFORD
Striker Ivan Toney (calf) was a surprise absentee from Brentford’s 2-0 defeat at Man City and will be assessed. Vitaly Janelt (abdominal) has a chance of facing Crystal Palace but it’s less likely for Mathias ‘Zanka’ Jorgensen (hamstring). It is also too early for Christian Eriksen to make his return to football.
“He’s training well, he looks like the quality player we know he is, it’s a joy watching him play. But he will not be available.” – Thomas Frank on Christian Eriksen
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