We continue our coverage of the pre-Gameweek 28 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 Burnley, Brighton and Hove Albion, Leeds United 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 28 guide here.
CHELSEA
Those looking into purchasing one or potentially two Chelsea defenders for Double Gameweek 28 will be pleased to hear Thomas Tuchel’s latest comment on Reece James. After previously saying that the wing-back played too many minutes in the EFL Cup final, James is now fine to play and should start in place of the unavailable Cesar Azpilicueta (knock).
Fellow defenders Thiago Silva and Trevoh Chalobah have both recovered from minor issues, whilst in-form midfielder Hakim Ziyech (Achilles) is also back in training. There is doubt over Andreas Christensen (Achilles). Ben Chilwell‘s season is still over after knee surgery.
“Azpi [Azpilicueta] was not in training yesterday so this will be a bit too close unfortunately for him. Reece James was training yesterday, so far no problems, no reactions after his two matches. Hakim [Ziyech] was in training, seemed good, so hopefully, he can come back. The guys who were not with us at Luton because of minor injuries, like Trevoh [Chalobah], like Thiago Silva, were back in training yesterday and seemed fine, good to go.” – Thomas Tuchel
MANCHESTER CITY
Pep Guardiola has ruled out defenders Ruben Dias (hamstring) and Nathan Ake (knock) for the Manchester derby, with Dias potentially out for four-to-six weeks. Zack Steffen (back) and Cole Palmer (muscle) are still unavailable.
“Nathan [Ake] and Ruben [Dias] are not available for Sunday.” – Pep Guardiola
MANCHESTER UNITED
In the red half of Manchester, Ralf Rangnick should be able to welcome Edinson Cavani (groin) and Scott McTominay (illness) back into proceedings. Mason Greenwood (other) is still out of action.
“He is back in training since yesterday, today was his second training session with the team. It looks good. I think he could at least be part of the group for Sunday.” – Ralf Rangnick on Edinson Cavani
LIVERPOOL
Joel Matip has a non-Covid illness that keeps him out of the match against West Ham United, with Thiago (thigh) and Roberto Firmino (muscle) also not taking part. Additionally, there are doubts over Curtis Jones (thigh) and Naby Keita (knock).
“Strength and depth is really important, but we have some [players] who aren’t available. Thiago will not be available. Curtis [Jones] is not bad, but good enough for tomorrow? We will see! Matip is ill, not COVID-19, and he will not be available. Bobby [Firmino] is looking good but not good enough for the weekend. I think the plan is that he trains on Sunday, first time full.” – Jurgen Klopp
NEWCASTLE UNITED
Eddie Howe still hasn’t decided whether Allan Saint-Maximin (knock) is ready to return, with the forward expected to take part in training today before a final judgement is made. Kieran Trippier (foot) and Callum Wilson (calf) remain out for a while but Matt Ritchie (knee) will return to proceedings next week.
“Maxi [Saint-Maximin] hasn’t trained yet with us, we’re hoping he does today. We’ll have to make a decision based on how he looks and how his injury status is after that training session. [Otherwise] I think we’re as we were, pre-Brentford.” – Eddie Howe
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Rodrigo Bentancur (ankle) and Lucas Moura (dead leg) are back from the injuries that kept them out against Leeds but there is still no Japhet Tanganga (knee) or Oliver Skipp (groin) for the visit of Everton.
WEST HAM UNITED
David Moyes has a few injury concerns, such as Tomas Soucek needing stitches in his head after a challenge from Southampton’s Ibrahima Diallo. Right-back Vladimir Coufal will be out for a few weeks having underwent successful surgery on a hernia, whilst Angelo Ogbonna (knee) remains out for the foreseeable.
Aaron Cresswell (knock) is fine to face Liverpool and there have been signs of improvement from full-backs Ryan Fredericks (groin) and Arthur Masuaku (knee). However, Mark Noble has a knock and Ukraine international Andriy Yarmolenko has been given more time off to be with his family during these difficult times.
“Like everybody, we’ve got a few injuries, but we’ve also got some players coming back. Fredericks is doing better and so is [Masuaku]. We’ve got a concern about Soucek because of the stitches in his head, but we’re probably no different from any other club.” – David Moyes
EVERTON
There is hope that Dominic Calvert-Lewin will play against Spurs in the Monday night game after a recent groin issue and Frank Lampard should finally be able to call upon Demarai Gray. The winger made a 13-minute cameo against Manchester City but missed Thursday’s FA Cup match because of a fever.
Ben Godfrey (hamstring) and Andre Gomes (thigh) are almost back, with Vitalii Mykolenko‘s dead leg against Boreham Wood not thought to be a problem. There is still no Yerry Mina (thigh), Fabian Delph (thigh) or Tom Davies (thigh) for the Toffees.
“I’m hopeful. He’s going to train with us tomorrow. Hopefully, he integrates with the squad tomorrow and then we’ll see how he is for Monday. Demarai Gray had a bit of a fever going into the game against Boreham Wood when he was due to play, so we missed him – we’ve missed Demarai pretty much since I’ve been in.” – Frank Lampard on Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Demarai Gray
NORWICH CITY
Tim Krul has recovered from a shoulder injury and is pushing to regain his place in goal from Angus Gunn. There is also a shoulder problem for Ozan Kabak but Max Aarons (knock) and Brandon Williams (knock) have both been declared fit to face Brentford. The Canaries’ main absentees are Adam Idah (knee) and Andrew Omobamidele (back).
“He went to see a specialist and they’ve put him in a corset, they’re a little bit worried about it. He won’t be around for at least another two to three weeks. He’s a lad with lots of potential and it probably still growing.” – Dean Smith on Andrew Omobamidele
LEICESTER CITY
Following the good news of Jamie Vardy‘s successful midweek return at Burnley, it has been revealed that James Maddison is a doubt to face Leeds on Saturday lunchtime because of a lower back problem. Ricardo Pereira (hamstring) is also touch-and-go.
Meanwhile, Timothy Castagne (thigh), Jonny Evans (hamstring), Wesley Fofana (ankle) and Ryan Bertrand (knee) are still out, plus James Justin is unlikely because of a minor muscle injury.
“They are still being monitored, with Maddison certainly available next week, if not tomorrow.” – Brendan Rodgers
WATFORD
Ismaila Sarr was seen getting hamstring treatment at full-time during the 0-0 at Manchester United and he is sidelined for this weekend. Kiko Femenia (knock) is back in contention after missing the trip to Old Trafford and Nicolas Nkoulou (hamstring) is nearing a return to full training.
ASTON VILLA
Bertrand Traore could be back from the hamstring injury that has kept him out for the past month, although Carney Chukwuemeka (knock) will miss the first half of Villa’s Double Gameweek 28. Steven Gerrard also confirmed that Marvelous Nakamba (knee) could return in early April, after the international break.
“Bertrand [Traore] joined the group in full training for the first time yesterday, so he’s got two days under his belt now with no issues. We’ll make a decision later today whether he comes back into the squad. Carney Chukwuemeka will miss the weekend. He’s got an outside chance of being involved against Leeds.”
ARSENAL
No news is good news for Mikel Arteta, as defender Takehiro Tomiyasu is the only doubt because of a calf problem. Emile Smith Rowe missed the Gameweek 26 win over Wolves with illness but is back in Arteta’s plans.
“Same place as last week. We still have the doubt with Tomiyasu, the rest I think they’re all there.”
CRYSTAL PALACE
Also nothing of note from the Eagles, where Joel Ward (groin) is still unavailable for the weekend and Nathan Ferguson (hamstring) remains out for the next month.
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS
For Bruno Lage, it’s just the hamstring injury that will rule out Nelson Semedo for at least a month, possibly two. Everyone else is fine.
BRENTFORD
Last week’s defeat against Newcastle saw Christian Eriksen make his return to football with a cameo, alongside an appearance from fully-fit striker Ivan Toney. However, Josh Dasilva‘s red card has brought a three-match suspension.
