We’ve got all the big Fantasy Premier League (FPL) injury news from Friday’s pre-match press conferences in this ‘live’ article – including the latest on Darwin Nunez (£8.8m) and others.
A total of 15 Premier League managers will face the media today, with all the key manager quotes transcribed below.
The managers of Leicester City, Nottingham Forest, Everton and Aston Villa faced the media yesterday, and the updates from those press conferences are also featured.
Pep Guardiola did his Gameweek 21 presser in the aftermath of the 4-2 win over Tottenham Hotspur but the embargoed quotes from that won’t be released until after the FPL deadline, on Saturday evening.
You can read more of what he said after Thursday’s game here.
KEY UPDATES
- Liverpool: Darwin closer to a return
- Chelsea: Too soon for James and Chilwell
- Manchester United: No updates on Dalot or Martial
- Arsenal: No fresh concerns, Trossard to be involved
- Leicester City: Maddison back in contention
- Newcastle United: Bruno scan ‘positive’
- Tottenham Hotspur: Fatigue but no fresh injuries
- Brighton and Hove Albion: Colwill out
- Nottingham Forest: Henderson out for 4-5 weeks
- Aston Villa: Digne out, Watkins should be fit
- Leeds United: Summerville among four still out
- West Ham United: Scamacca out, Ings could feature
- Fulham: Everyone bar Kebano fit
- Brentford: Henry expected to train
- Bournemouth: Solanke still “missing”
- Wolverhampton Wanderers: Only long-term absentees out
- Everton: No fresh concerns
- Crystal Palace: Andersen still out
- Southampton: “One or two back”
VIDEO ROUND-UP
LIVERPOOL
Virgil van Dijk (hamstring), Arthur (muscle), Diogo Jota (hamstring), Luis Diaz (knee) and Roberto Firmino (calf) remain out but Darwin Nunez (unspecified) could be back for the visit of Chelsea.
There was enough ambiguity about both the question and answer on the Uruguayan’s fitness to not give the all-clear, with the reporter posing the topic quickly moving on to something else.
“Yes” – Jurgen Klopp, when asked if Darwin was “closer for selection” for tomorrow’s game
CHELSEA
Denis Zakaria (thigh), Armando Broja (ACL), Christian Pulisic (knee), Raheem Sterling (hamstring), Edouard Mendy (finger), N’Golo Kante (hamstring), Joao Felix (suspended) and Wesley Fofana (knee) remain out, while the Liverpool game will come too soon for Reece James (knee) and Ben Chilwell (hamstring) despite their returns to training.
“I would say no [there is no-one due back].
“Ruben [Loftus-Cheek] was on the bench in the last match… to be on the bench, essentially. He’s a lot closer now, so he can play more minutes.
“The boys are progressing well, Reece has joined team training but won’t be involved at the weekend, the same as Ben Chilwell. Everybody else is pretty much where we were.” – Graham Potter
Mykhailo Mudryk could make his debut at Anfield, although not necessarily from the start.
“We have to help him adapt to the Premier League, adapt to us. He has come from a mid-season break so hasn’t played so much football recently but has been training well, so we will assess him and see how much he can play at the weekend.
“There’s a chance [he could make his debut]. Again, it’s how much he can do. I think 90 minutes, no, but I think there is probably a role for him at some stage in the game.” – Graham Potter
MANCHESTER UNITED
It turns out that Erik ten Hag’s pre-Gameweek 21 presser was actually held in the aftermath of Wednesday’s draw with Crystal Palace, with the embargoed quotes held back until today.
As a result, there isn’t much new on midweek absentees Anthony Martial (leg) and Diogo Dalot (muscle).
“No, sorry. It’s Wednesday. We’ll have to see how far they are, if they are fit for the game on Sunday.” – Erik ten Hag on Anthony Martial and Diogo Dalot
Casemiro (suspended) and Donny van de Beek (knee) are definitely out but Jadon Sancho (match fitness) is slowly edging his way back.
“I can’t answer that question [on whether Sancho will face Arsenal]. He’s making the next step. Yesterday for the first time he was in team training. Team training is the final training before a game, so we will extend that in the coming days, [the] coming week, and then go step-by-step.” – Erik ten Hag on Jadon Sancho
ARSENAL
Gabriel Jesus (knee) and Reiss Nelson (muscle) remain on the injury list, while we haven’t heard any word on why Mohamed Elneny missed the north London derby last weekend.
Mikel Arteta said in Friday’s press conference that the Gunners had no fresh concerns, while he believes that the necessary paperwork has been done to allow Leandro Trossard to make his debut in Gameweek 21.
“We are really happy to have him. He’s a player we followed for a while. The opportunity came and we had the necessity for a player in the front line who is versatile enough to play different positions. He knows the league, he has enough experience here and I think he can have an immediate impact on the team.” – Mikel Arteta
LEICESTER CITY
James Maddison (knee) and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (glute) are back in contention for the visit of Brighton, although the former looks likely to be a substitute at first after so long on the sidelines.
“James Maddison is doing very well so we’re hoping he can be involved in the squad at the weekend. He would hopefully be in the squad.
“We need to manage that game-time consciously because it’s been a long time since he actually played and he’s not trained so much. He’s worked so hard behind the scenes. Just seeing him on the training pitch, he’s such a gift for us to have as a player. The difference he makes for us, the confidence he gives other players… that’s when you know you have an outstanding player. He makes others better. He’s ticking the boxes on the fitness front. He’s looked so, so good, with quality and determination.
“We’re hoping tomorrow he comes through the last session okay and then it’s just picking the right moments to put him in.
“Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has also been back training so he should be available for the weekend as well.” – Brendan Rodgers
Dennis Praet (rib and hip) will be pushing for a start but the game might come too soon for Ayoze Pérez (muscle), while Boubakary Soumaré (hamstring), Jonny Evans (calf), James Justin (Achilles), Ricardo Pereira (Achilles) and Ryan Bertrand (knee) remain out.
“Dennis has trained this week, so he should hopefully come into the squad. He came on against Nottingham Forest so he should be fine.
“Ayo we just have to wait and see. If not this weekend, he’ll be fine for next weekend. He felt an awareness of his muscle. It’s a muscle issue. He’s been out on the training field and we think he could be involved at the weekend, but it might be too much of a risk. He’d been in three games in quick succession. He’s a good healer so he might be ready for the weekend, but if not, he’ll be ready for the cup game.” – Brendan Rodgers
NEWCASTLE UNITED
Eddie Howe said on Friday that a scan on Bruno Guimaraes’ ankle has come back “positive”, with media reports suggesting the midfielder will only be out for weeks rather than months. The Newcastle boss didn’t put a timeframe on his recovery, however, and the Brazilian looks set to miss out this weekend.
“He’s ok. He was devastated to come off the pitch. He felt at the time he had done serious damage to his ankle. The scan did come back with positive news, so hopefully not a long-term injury.
“No I don’t [have a timescale] as we speak. We just hope it’s not long-term. He’s made good progress this week, so we’ll see.” – Eddie Howe
Matt Targett (heel), Jonjo Shelvey (calf) and Emil Krafth (knee) are the only other players on the Newcastle injury list ahead of the trip to Crystal Palace.
BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION
Levi Colwill (muscle) looks set to miss the trip to Leicester City but, other than long-term injury victim Jakub Moder (knee), the Seagulls don’t have any serious concerns for the weekend.
“We have a problem with Levi Colwill, but we are ready to play. If we want to win at Leicester we have to play a perfect game.
“Lewis Dunk will play with Adam Webster or Jan Paul van Hecke. JP played very well at Middlesbrough, but I am still to decide.” – Roberto De Zerbi
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Facing the media barely 12 hours after his side had lost at the Etihad, Antonio Conte said he was not aware of any injury concerns from the 4-2 loss to Manchester City. Fatigue, however, is a consideration ahead of Monday’s game.
“It’s difficult to answer because only yesterday night we played. I think no but sometimes after one day something can happen. The medical department needs time to make evaluation but I hope not. We finish with all the players. A bit tired, especially the players who are recovering from injuies like Rodrigo Bentancur, like Kulusevski. But only fatigue.” – Antonio Conte
NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Dean Henderson (thigh) will be missing for the next month after picking up an injury in the closing stages of the win over Leicester City last weekend, with £3.9m-rated FPL goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey set to deputise – for now, anyway.
“[Henderson] is injured, so he’s going to be out for four to five weeks, which is obviously a bit of a blow for all of us – him especially.
“It is certainly a discussion point [whether to bring in a new goalkeeper]. After the weekend, we have two League Cup games that Dean wouldn’t have played in anyway, because of the loan ruling, so we were always planning without him for those games. We just need to get this weekend out of the way and see where we’re at after that.” – Steve Cooper
Cooper added that Willy Boly (ankle) was “not too far away” but he, Omar Richards (leg), Giulian Biancone (ACL), Moussa Niakhate (hamstring), Cheikhou Kouyate (hamstring), Jesse Lingard (hamstring) and Taiwo Awoniyi (groin) look set to remain out.
The Forest boss is hoping to have Lingard, Niakhate and Richards back in Gameweek 22.
Ryan Yates (face) is fine, meanwhile.
“Ryan Yates will be available, he came off at half-time with a bit of a knock to his face but he’s alright, so he’ll be available. Apart from that, we are as we were.” – Steve Cooper
ASTON VILLA
Lucas Digne (shoulder) has joined Diego Carlos (Achilles) and John McGinn (hamstring) on the sidelines but Ludwig Augustinsson (ankle), Matty Cash (groin) and Ollie Watkins (ankle) should all be available for the trip to Southampton.
“Augustinsson is ready, Digne is out, Cash is OK as well and Ollie Watkins has trained normally yesterday and today, I think he will be ready for Saturday.
“Carlos is still working alone but he is on the pitch. I think he’s progressing very well.
“John McGinn still has one or two weeks more until he starts training with us. I think he will be with us for the next match against Leicester.” – Unai Emery
LEEDS UNITED
Stuart Dallas (knee), Adam Forshaw (hip) Archie Gray (ankle) and Crysencio Summerville (ankle) are still unavailable for the clash with Brentford but Max Wober (hip) and Robin Koch (knock) have shrugged off minor issues.
“Archie made progress today and is getting close, Cry will probably be on the pitch next week.
“Georgi [Rutter] has looked good in training, I think he’ll be in the squad.
“We’re inching towards being at full capacity.” – Jesse Marsch
WEST HAM UNITED
David Moyes revealed on Friday that Gianluca Scamacca will be out for a “short time” with a knee problem but the Hammers are hopeful that new signing Danny Ings will be registered in time to face Everton this weekend.
FULHAM
Marco Silva confirmed on Friday that he expected everyone bar long-term absentee Neeskens Kebano (Achilles) to be fit for the visit of Spurs.
Antonee Robinson returns from suspension.
BRENTFORD
Thomas Frank expects Rico Henry to train today after the defender missed the win over Bournemouth with a minor calf issue.
Pontus Jansson (hamstring) and Frank Onyeka (hamstring) remain out, while Shandon Baptiste (muscle) and Aaron Hickey (ankle) may not still be considered despite getting minutes in a midweek friendly after months on the sidelines.
BOURNEMOUTH
Gary O’Neil confirmed on Friday that Dominic Solanke is “still missing” with the knee injury that caused him to miss Gameweek 20, while Lewis Cook (knee) will be out for a “few weeks”.
“He’s not too bad, I don’t expect him to be out for too long.” – Gary O’Neil on Dominic Solanke
David Brooks (hamstring) and Marcus Tavernier (hamstring) remain out but there was no word on Ryan Fredericks or Junior Stanislas after their recent absences with “slight issues”.
Adam Smith returns after suspension.
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS
Julen Lopetegui will again be without Boubacar Traore (hamstring), Pedro Neto (ankle), Chiquinho (knee) and Sasa Kalajdzic (knee) but aside from those long-term absentees, there are no concerns.
Pablo Sarabia comes into contention for his debut.
EVERTON
In a press conference dominated by talk of Everton’s current plight and his own future, boss Frank Lampard did briefly reveal that the Toffees have no fresh injury concerns.
Nathan Patterson (knee) is still on the injury list, while James Garner (back) and Andros Townsend (knee) are only just back in individual training and won’t be considered.
Michael Keane (knee) has been out recently, too, and is thought to remain sidelined.
CRYSTAL PALACE
Joachim Andersen (calf) remains a couple of weeks away from a return, while James McArthur (groin) will step up his rehab after Gameweek 21.
Nathan Ferguson (match fitness) has actually started to train with the team, although hasn’t kicked a ball competitively in a year.
SOUTHAMPTON
Nathan Jones gave a vague update on “one or two” returning players ahead of the Aston Villa game but he is likely referring to Alex McCarthy (ankle) and Theo Walcott (calf), who were spotted in training this week.
Stuart Armstrong (groin), Armel Bella-Kotchap (knee), Juan Larios (muscle) and Tino Livramento (knee) have also been on the sidelines of late.
“We’ve got one or two back from injury. So, we’re in a much stronger position this week than we were last week, so we’ll see.” – Nathan Jones
