The Gameweek 25 deadline of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) will pass on Friday and between now and then, we’ll have 16 pre-match press conferences to get through.
As usual, we’ll be bringing you all the key quotes and injury updates that you need for your teams over the coming 24 hours or so.
Six Premier League bosses will take questions today, with the 10 other head coaches set to face reporters on Friday.
In the meantime, check out our early team news article for any club not listed below.
Manchester United, Newcastle United, Brentford and Brighton and Hove Albion all blank this weekend, of course.
KEY UPDATES FROM THURSDAY
- Fulham: Silva’s latest update on Mitrovic
- Everton: Calvert-Lewin set to miss out, Patterson’s “knock”
- Wolverhampton Wanderers: No new injuries declared
- Leicester City: Maddison to be assessed
- Aston Villa: Carlos back in training
- Nottingham Forest: Aurier added to injury list
FULHAM
Marco Silva said on Thursday that it would be “difficult” for Aleksandar Mitrovic (hamstring) to recover for the visit of Wolverhampton Wanderers on Friday, although the forward has at least been on the grass.
Mitrovic was indeed pictured in training earlier this week but wasn’t working with his teammates.
“Nothing different from the last game apart from Mitro. It will be difficult for him to be ready but we have some more time until tomorrow. Today he was on the pitch already, he was outside. Let’s see what will be the news for tomorrow.” – Marco Silva on Aleksandar Mitrovic
Tom Cairney (shin) and Neeskens Kebano (Achilles) remain out but those two and Mitrovic aside, the Cottagers have no injury concerns.
EVERTON
It looks like Dominic Calvert-Lewin (hamstring) will struggle to play any part in Everton’s Double Gameweek 25, with the striker not yet involved in team training.
“I don’t think [he’ll be involved this weekend], he’s building up well though. He’s on the grass, he’s not with us yet but that’ll come quite quickly I think. He’s building up well.” – Sean Dyche on Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Nathan Patterson (knee) and James Garner (back) were back in contention after featuring for the under-21s last Friday, although a minor knee issue has affected Patterson’s ability to train this week.
“Patto is coming back, he’s got a little minor knock on his knee so that has delayed him training this week.” – Sean Dyche on Nathan Patterson
Amadou Onana (knee) is fine but Andros Townsend (ACL) remains out.
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS
Hwang Hee-chan (hamstring), Boubacar Traore (hamstring), Chiquinho (knee) and Sasa Kalajdzic (knee) remain unavailable, although Traore is already in training with his teammates and Hwang is only 1-2 weeks away.
There were no fresh concerns reported by Julen Lopetegui, who welcomes back Mario Lemina from suspension.
LEICESTER CITY
James Justin (Achilles) and Sammy Braybrooke (knee) are long-term absentees, while Jonny Evans (thigh) remains on the sidelines but may return to training next week.
While reporting no fresh injuries in Thursday’s presser, Brendan Rodgers did say that James Maddison will be assessed ahead of the game against Arsenal due to an ongoing knee niggle.
“We’re starting to get a lot of our players back. We have to see how James Maddison is though. He’s still nursing a knee issue, so we’ll just have to assess that tomorrow after training.
“We’ll see where [Evans] is at tomorrow. He hasn’t been with the group this week. We’re hoping he can join at some point next week, but that’s as detailed as that can be at the moment.” – Brendan Rodgers
Ryan Bertrand, who hasn’t featured since 2021 due to a serious knee injury, has been back in training recently and is working on his fitness.
“[Bertrand is] back in training with the squad. He will still be a bit off it in terms of match fitness and whatnot but still available to train.” – Brendan Rodgers
ASTON VILLA
Diego Carlos (Achilles) has been back in training following his lengthy lay-off but Saturday’s game against Everton will likely come too soon. Media reports suggest he may instead feature in the under-21s match against Sunderland on Friday.
Unai Emery’s press conference was short on injury news, not that we’re aware of any other major issues within the Villa squad.
There was a few quotes of potential interest concerning the front two, with Leon Bailey losing his place last weekend and Jhon Duran pushing for a start.
“Leon Bailey is working well. We are trying with him to find his best position on the pitch, defensively and offensively. He has, as well, ambition and determination to try to get his best performances and each match is an opportunity for him.” – Unai Emery
“Yes, [Duran and Watkins] can play together and they played together in Manchester City two weeks ago. But Jhon Duran has to improve, has to adapt. He has potential, of course, and we are speaking with him and the adaptation will be easy for him. He is a player. His mentality is good.
“Now we are going to work on his emotion when he is playing. It really has a big impact with his desires to score, wishing to show his performance but we have to take the balance when he is playing because, tactically, he has to learn. Tactically, he has to adapt. He is doing it every day and we’re demanding with him. Of course, as well, supporting him to get the best performances first, in training then, of course, playing matches.
“Now, the role is clear. It’s Watkins, Duran, Leon Bailey, they are three playing as strikers or with one winger, striker, which is Leon Bailey, a No.7. We can also add a No.10 like Emi Buendia and Coutinho. We are in the squad now with good balance and can use different positions. It’s good for us.” – Unai Emery
NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Willy Boly (hamstring), Scott McKenna (hamstring), Dean Henderson (thigh), Cheikhou Kouyate (hamstring), Taiwo Awoniyi (groin), Giulian Biancone (ACL) and Omar Richards (leg) remain out while Serge Aurier (calf) has now been added to never-ending injury list, something that likely spells good news for budget FPL defender Neco Williams’ game-time.
Jesse Lingard (knee/Achilles “niggles”) and Ryan Yates (illness) have both been back in training this week, while long-term absentee Moussa Niakhate (hamstring) has also been on the grass but will need non-competitive pitch time before being considered for a Premier League return.
“Serge is added to the injury list. He’s going to be out for three to four weeks as well.
“It’s just one of those things that we constantly have to get on with. I say it every week, we would like it to be a different situation [regarding player availability], but my focus is just on the guys who can play at West Ham on Saturday.” – Steve Cooper
