FPL team news: Gameweek 26 injury updates on Jota, Maddison and James

We continue our coverage of the pre-Gameweek 26 press conferences, with headline injury updates from all Premier League managers whose teams are in action this weekend.

Our Thursday round-up brought updates from Brighton and Hove Albion, Burnley, Everton and Southampton.

For much more detailed information, check out our Predicted Line-ups page and Injuries and Bans feed.

For other help and advice from our weekly Scout Picks to team reveals, head to our complete Gameweek 26 guide here.

LIVERPOOL

There’s only one injury for Jurgen Klopp to worry about but it’s a big one for the FPL community. Diogo Jota (ankle) will not be available for Norwich and his availability looks in some doubt for the Reds’ second game of Double Gameweek 26, although Klopp believes the timescale beyond this weekend could be anything.

“No, he will not be available [for Norwich] but the extent is still not clear. We need further assessment. It’s something with some ligaments around the ankle. Pretty much everything is possible in the moment – it will go really quick [or] the other way around, unfortunately. We have to wait. Everybody saw the pictures with him in the boot: that’s a normal procedure, even when you just feel something there, they’ll put you in that boot.” – Jurgen Klopp

CHELSEA

Mason Mount (ankle) will be out for the Crystal Palace meeting but could make next weekend’s League Cup final. Ben Chilwell (knee) remains out for a while but Reece James – despite not being risked in the Club World Cup – could soon be back from illness and a hamstring injury. Ruben Loftus-Cheek should be ok after receiving a knock.

“We will push for the League Cup final. He has injured ligaments. Champions League [on Feb 22] seems to be very, very close, and we’ll try hard for the League Cup final.” – Thomas Tuchel on Mason Mount

MANCHESTER CITY

The inconsistent minutes of Jack Grealish are set to continue, as his shin problem has ruled him out of at least Saturday’s match. Not many issues elsewhere, as Gabriel Jesus (knock) and Cole Palmer (muscle) could return.

“I am not a doctor, I am sorry. The shin, the symptoms seem much less than last season (at Villa). I didn’t talk with the doctor but we will see. I don’t think he will be ready for tomorrow but hopefully for the next weeks.” – Pep Guardiola on Jack Grealish

MANCHESTER UNITED

Raphael Varane missed Tuesday’s match because of illness but is expected to be fit to face Leeds United. Nemanja Matic (shin) and Eric Bailly (ankle) could also be available but Edinson Cavani has a couple of small issues.

“As it seems, Edinson Cavani will still be out. He is still having some problems with his groin and also some with his stomach. Apart from that, everybody else seems to be available.” – Ralf Rangnick

LEICESTER CITY

Speaking after Thursday night’s European game, Brendan Rodgers confirmed why James Maddison was replaced shortly after coming on as a substitute.

“I’ve spoken to him and he felt a bit funny in the game, so we didn’t want to take any risks with that. We just took him off and he went to see the doctors. He just felt unwell.” – Brendan Rodgers on James Maddison

James Justin (muscle) is out with a slight strain suffered against West Ham United, in addition to the known issues with Jamie Vardy (hamstring), Wesley Fofana (leg), Jonny Evans (hamstring), Ryan Bertrand (knee) and Timothy Castagne (thigh).

Caglar Soyuncu may not make the match at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

“Cags hurt his knee. So we will see how that is tomorrow [Friday].” – Brendan Rodgers on Caglar Soyuncu

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Eric Dier (thigh) is fit and available for Spurs, although Japhet Tanganga (knee) and Oliver Skipp (groin) are out of the trip to Manchester City. Antonio Conte has also revealed that Steven Bergwijn (calf) had a small problem during the week, with one unnamed player a victim of Covid.

“We have recovered Steven Bergwijn because three days ago he had a little problem in his calf.” – Antonio Conte

WEST HAM UNITED

Centre back Kurt Zouma pulled out of the match against Leicester City because he felt ill during the warm-up. David Moyes believes he should be ok for Saturday.

“He’s better, but it’s taken him a couple of days to get over it. He had a quite bad illness. He’s trained the last couple of days so I’m hoping he’ll be available. We want him to concentrate. We’re hoping that we can keep him at those levels of performances.”

Angelo Ogbonna (knee) and Arthur Masuaku (knee) remain injured for the foreseeable future but Moyes remains coy over another couple of anonymous knocks.

“We’ve got one or two doubts, and one or two question marks over some players who’ve picked up some injuries. I wouldn’t give that away.”

NEWCASTLE UNITED

The foot injury suffered by Kieran Trippier is a hammer blow to Eddie Howe’s side, with the right-back expected to miss two months of action. The Magpies are also without Javier Manquillo (ankle) for the trip to West Ham United, although that issue isn’t deemed as serious.

Callum Wilson (calf), Matt Ritchie (knee) and Federico Fernandez (thigh) are still out, although Jamaal Lascelles has recovered from illness. Loanee Matt Targett is also available, having been unable to face parent club Aston Villa last Sunday.

“He had his operation yesterday and that went well so that was good news. We aim to have him back before the end of the season but it’s a significant injury which is a big blow for us.” – Eddie Howe on Kieran Trippier

ARSENAL

A red card against Wolves means Gabriel Martinelli is suspended for the first half of Arsenal’s Double Gameweek. Whilst Bernd Leno (Covid) should be available, it’s unknown whether right-back Takehiro Tomiyasu (calf) will be risked after missing their last two matches.

“The doubt was Tomiyasu which has still not been perfect but he’s trained the last few days so he’s in contention and we can use him. We know that Gabby’s [Martinelli] out; the rest of the players are OK.” – Mikel Arteta

LEEDS UNITED

Patrick Bamford (foot), Kalvin Phillips (hamstring) and Liam Cooper (hamstring) remain injured for upcoming weeks, with young defender Leo Fuhr Hjelde (knee) now added to that list.

Stuart Dallas may recover from his knock but no word was given on Junior Firpo (hamstring), who is expected to return during this Double Gameweek.

“Dallas is recovering, he hasn’t been discarded from Sunday’s game. Kalvin [Phillips] and Cooper continue their normal processes, the objective is that they get to March [and are] available. The medical calculation was 12 weeks and that hasn’t changed.” – Marcelo Bielsa

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS

There is a boost for Wolves, as long-term absentees Willy Boly (calf), Pedro Neto (knee) and Yerson Mosquera (thigh) have all been pictured back in training in their quest to build match fitness. As Joao Moutinho has recovered from a calf injury, Bruno Lage has a fully-fit squad to pick from.

“Every player is fit and ready to join the team. We have Joao [Moutinho], Pedro [Neto], Hwang [Hee-chan], everyone.” – Bruno Lage

ASTON VILLA

Very few problems for Steven Gerrard too. Leon Bailey returned with a cameo appearance last weekend, so it’s just Bertrand Traore (hamstring) and Marvelous Nakamba (knee) who are hurt. Still suspended is Ezri Konsa.

“Nothing’s changed from last week. So, we’re still missing Bertrand Traore and Marvelous Nakamba. Besides that, they’re all available.” – Steven Gerrard

NORWICH CITY

Although Mathias Normann (pelvic) is now ready to start matches, Dean Smith has revealed that striker Adam Idah‘s season is over after undergoing knee surgery. Ozan Kabak is back from illness but Tim Krul (shoulder), Jakob Sorensen (knee) and Andrew Omobamidele (back) haven’t yet recovered. Lukas Rupp (hamstring) returns to training next week.

“Adam [Idah] will be out for the season, so that’s a big blow for us.” – Dean Smith

CRYSTAL PALACE

On loan from Chelsea, Conor Gallagher is unable to face his parent club at the weekend. Nathan Ferguson (hamstring) is the only problem for Patrick Vieira, following the return of Cheikhou Kouyate from the African Cup of Nations.

“Everything has been good, training was OK. No injuries outside of Nathan Ferguson.” – Patrick Vieira

WATFORD

A club bulletin revealed that “two members of Watford’s squad will have their fitness assessed today” ahead of the Aston Villa match but Roy Hodgson was unwilling to share more details. Peter Etebo (thigh) returned to full training this week, while Kwadwo Baah got 60 minutes for the under-23s on Thursday as he builds up match fitness. Nicolas Nkoulou (hamstring) hopes to rejoin the Hornets’ squad within the next couple of weeks.

BRENTFORD

There will be a late call made on Ivan Toney (calf), who has missed the last two matches and is yet to take part in full training. Christian Eriksen is in a “good place” but Saturday is too soon. He will play another behind-closed-doors game on Monday. Mathias ‘Zanka’ Jorgensen (hamstring) is still a doubt.