The pre-match press conferences for Gameweek 30 of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) have begun to take place.
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.
Nine Premier League bosses are holding pressers on Thursday, including new interim Chelsea boss Frank Lampard; previous caretaker head coach Bruno Saltor was originally pencilled in for an appearance.
The rest should follow on Friday.
KEY UPDATES FROM THURSDAY
- Chelsea: Lampard takes charge
- Tottenham Hotspur: Richarlison training alone
- Brentford: Janelt in contention
- Leicester City: Tielemans out, Evans trains
- Everton: Calvert-Lewin continues recovery
- Nottingham Forest: Dennis among the doubts
- Leeds United: No change to team news
- Wolverhampton Wanderers: Hwang back, Neves banned
- Southampton: Adams + Salisu remain sidelined
THURSDAY’S PRESS CONFERENCE TIMES
CHELSEA
Frank Lampard’s first pre-match press conference as returning Chelsea head coach was predictably short on team news.
Armando Broja (ACL), Thiago Silva (knee) and Cesar Azpilicueta (head) were the only Chelsea players sidelined for the visit of Liverpool, following the return to fitness of Raheem Sterling and Wesley Fofana in midweek.
Mason Mount is someone who could get a game-time boost following Lampard’s return, having been a key component of his interim manager’s teams at both Chelsea and Derby County.
“Mason has always been a fantastic player for me, from my days at Derby and the impact he had there to when I came back to Chelsea. It was with absolute pleasure that I watched him, amongst others that I coached during that period like Reece James, Tammy Abraham, Tomori and others, go on to be huge players here and elsewhere.
“Mason, I know he’s had a few slight injury problems, so I understand that’s something important to speak to him [about] and find out where he’s at, but I know what I’ll get from Mason. I just want to see him perform on the pitch. We have got a good relationship, so we’ll talk a lot. I think he’s a huge player for Chelsea.” – Frank Lampard
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Ben Davies (hamstring), Emerson Royal (knee), Ryan Sessegnon (hamstring), Rodrigo Bentancur (knee) and Yves Bissouma (ankle) remain out, while Lucas Moura begins a three-match ban after his dismissal for serious foul play on Monday.
Richarlison (calf) is nearing fitness but the Gameweek 31 clash with Bournemouth is the likely return date.
“No good news about players that come back for the next game. We are getting closer with Richarlison. He trained on the pitch but he trained alone. We are going well with Ben Davies with the plan but with Ben, we have to wait a bit of time.”
“[Richarlison] started to trained on the pitch. He is going well and for the next game, he could be available.” – Cristian Stellini
BRENTFORD
Kristoffer Ajer (calf), Keane Lewis-Potter (knee) and Frank Onyeka (hamstring) remain out but Vitaly Janelt (knee) has been back in training after three weeks on the sidelines and could come into contention against Newcastle United.
LEICESTER CITY
Youri Tielemans (ankle) and James Justin (Achilles) remain out for the Foxes but Jonny Evans (muscle) has trained with the squad, so could come into contention.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was sent off on Tuesday so serves a one-match ban here.
“There’s no new injuries from Tuesday, so there’s nothing report on that.
“Jonny has trained this morning with the group and I expect Youri to be back with the group next Tuesday to partake in some of that session, so that’s the update on the injury front.
“The players had a recovery yesterday. Those players who played in the game on Tuesday are continuing with the recovery protocols and it’s the players who didn’t play on Tuesday who have had their training session this morning. Tomorrow will be our first time to get the group back together as a full group.” – Leicester caretaker boss Adam Sadler
EVERTON
Dominic Calvert-Lewin (hamstring) and Andros Townsend (ACL) remain out for the trip to Old Trafford, while Abdoulaye Doucoure has now joined them on the sidelines after being sent off for violent conduct on Monday.
Ruben Vinagre sat out Monday’s draw with Tottenham Hotspur with a tight Achilles but has since returned to training.
“Yeah, pretty good. Ruben missed out with a tight Achilles, but he’s back on the grass training. Dom continues his recovery, obviously, and Andros, a bit more distantly. Pretty good overall and some players carrying knocks and bruises but nothing too serious.” – Sean Dyche on Everton’s team news
NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Chris Wood (thigh), Willy Boly (hamstring), Dean Henderson (thigh), Giulian Biancone (ACL) and Omar Richards (leg) remain out, while Ryan Yates (shoulder) and Jesse Lingard (knee/Achilles) continue to face day-to-day evaluation and Emmanuel Dennis will need to be assessed after picking up a knock in midweek.
There was no fresh word on Serge Aurier (knock), who has been absent since the international break.
Scott McKenna (hamstring) has been sidelined for the best part of two months but is now back in training.
“Emmanuel Dennis came off the other night and it’s something we’re going to look at in regards to Saturday.
“We’re continuing to manage Jesse who has had some niggles with his Achilles and his knee.
“Yatesy has had some illness and had problems with his shoulder, so that’s one we’re having to look at on a daily basis in regards to Saturday.
“Taiwo and Cheikhou got some important minutes so they’re getting closer after being out for a long time.
“Scott McKenna is back in training which is a positive and Dean Henderson is probably going to be back in training next week.
“The rest of it is as it was really. Some players are coming back, but in regards to Saturday, other than one or two picking up some stuff on Tuesday night, it’s as we were.” – Steve Cooper
LEEDS UNITED
Tyler Adams (hamstring), Adam Forshaw (hip) and Stuart Dallas (leg) are still unavailable, while Javi Gracia’s pre-match comments imply that Max Wober (hamstring) won’t be back for the visit of Crystal Palace.
Willy Gnonto (ankle) made a swift return from his own injury, which was inflicted during the international break, by returning as an unused substitute on Tuesday night.
“To have this busy schedule, we don’t have the time to change our situation. We played two days ago and we don’t have any news about injured players. We’ll have the same players I had for the last game.
“Willy [Gnonto] was on the bench last game, was available. He didn’t play but was on the bench.” – Javi Gracia
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS
Hwang Hee-chan (hamstring) is fit and available for the visit of Chelsea, leaving only Chiquinho (knee) and Sasa Kalajdzic (knee) on the injury list.
Ruben Neves begins a two-match ban, however, while Jonny is still suspended.
Daniel Podence is available for the time being but has been charged by the Football Association after he allegedly spat at Brennan Johnson during Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest. He could get a six-match ban if found guilty but Wolves are contesting the charge.
SOUTHAMPTON
Long-term absentees Tino Livramento (knee) and Juan Larios (muscle) remain out for Saints, while Mohammed Salisu (unspecified) and Ché Adams (calf) haven’t recovered in time for the visit of Manchester City and Armel Bella-Kotchap (shoulder) is a “question mark”.
Livramento is at least back in training but not ready for a competitive comeback.
“Unfortunately, Salisu and Che will not make it for the game. After the situation in the last week, they have not been able to join us in training. Armel is still a question mark for us.
“Tino is doing great in training, but he is still not ready to compete after one year out of football. Juan Larios is a long-term injury.” – Ruben Selles
