The team news for Gameweek 3 of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) has begun to reach us as the pre-match press conferences get underway.
Five Premier League managers faced reporters on Thursday, with the latest key quotes and injury updates provided in the article below.
The other 15 top-flight bosses whose teams are in Gameweek 3 action will take questions from reporters on Friday.
Among the updates awaited tomorrow will be the latest on James Maddison (foot), who was not spotted in Tottenham Hotspur’s training session by reporters on Thursday.
We may hear more about a timeframe for Luke Shaw (muscle) after he was ruled out for a “number of weeks” on Thursday evening, as well as a prognosis on Julio Enciso (knee) after reports suggested he too was set for a spell on the sidelines.
GAMEWEEK 3 TEAM NEWS: THURSDAY’S PRESS CONFERENCE TIMES
GAMEWEEK 3 TEAM NEWS: KEY UPDATES FROM THURSDAY
- Chelsea: Mudryk among 10 players out
- Everton: Calvert-Lewin to miss Wolves game
- Fulham: Willian a minor doubt
- Nottingham Forest: Felipe back on the grass
- Luton Town: Burke available
CHELSEA
Carney Chukwuemeka (knee) and Mykhailo Mudryk (minor issue) are the latest additions to the Chelsea injury list.
Chukwuemeka picked up a problem in Gameweek 2 and will be out for “weeks” after surgery, while Mudryk only needs “days” to recover from his training-ground injury but won’t be ready in time to face Luton Town.
“I think maybe a few days [for Mudryk]. He is not going to be available for tomorrow. Very disappointed because of the situation, he played 45 minutes against West Ham. He is a player we hope to help play in the way believe he can perform. Disappointed but at the same time it is not a big issue. Maybe one week or a few days.
“I think it is not an issue that will take months [for Chukwuemeka], maybe weeks. I hope we can be as soon as possible with the team again.” – Mauricio Pochettino
New signing Romeo Lavia also needs a few weeks to build up match fitness but fellow summer recruit Moises Caicedo looks set for his first Premier League start for the Blues.
“Mo, yes is ready to start. Lavia, no. He needs a few weeks to be ready to be involved with the team. He is working to try and catch his teammates. For Romeo, we need to wait a few weeks but Moises is ready.” – Mauricio Pochettino
Christopher Nkunku (knee), Reece James (hamstring), Armando Broja (knee), Wesley Fofana (knee), Marcus Bettinelli (unknown), Trevoh Chalobah (hamstring) and Benoit Badiashile (hamstring) remain out, although Broja and Badiashile are at least back in training.
Pochettino’s comments about Broja also suggest the Blues might not seek to add to their striking options this summer.
“We need to wait also. He’s close but sometimes you are close but the last step is difficult after the injury he suffered. He has trained well, we have hope also. That is why we are assessing the squad and all of the things that happen. It is easy to say we need another offensive player, but I think we have offensive players and they need to recover.
“If you bring in a player that is not fit or needs to adapt to the Premier League, maybe you are going to spend the same time you wait for Broja, or Nkunku or Carney. Then you are going to create a mess in the squad. That is why we are working really hard to analyse the situation.” – Mauricio Pochettino
EVERTON
Dwight McNeil (ankle), Dele Alli (hip) and Seamus Coleman (knee) have been joined on the sidelines by Dominic Calvert-Lewin (cheekbone) and Alex Iwobi (hamstring) ahead of the visit of Wolves.
Iwobi will be out for “weeks” with the muscular issue he picked up in Gameweek 2, while Calvert-Lewin is seeking specialist advice to determine the next course of action.
“First things first, he’s [Calvert-Lewin] seeing a specialist tomorrow. The specialist advice was he needed the swelling to settle down so unfortunately he will miss the weekend but that’s part of him hopefully getting the right answer and the protocols we need to follow.” – Sean Dyche
New signing Jack Harrison is doing individual training as he builds up fitness following a hip injury but remains unavailable.
FULHAM
Marco Silva didn’t report much of note on the team news front, other than that Willian is a “slight doubt” for the trip to Arsenal.
Joao Palhinha, who marked his comeback from a shoulder injury with a Gameweek 2 substitute appearance, has trained all week.
Tim Ream will be suspended after being sent off for two bookable offences against Brentford. Silva confirmed that Calvin Bassey will take his place at centre-half.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Steve Cooper’s injury update was a positive one.
The Nottingham Forest boss revealed that Felipe (knee) was back on the grass after a long lay-off, while Ola Aina (groin) has already made a partial return to training after sitting out Gameweek 2.
“We’re in a fairly healthy position. There are still a lot of lads returning to full fitness.
“Felipe is back out on the grass training but obviously hasn’t trained or played for months, so isn’t ready. Ola [Aina] is back in part training. I think that’s it.” – Steve Cooper
Wayne Hennessey (knee) and Omar Richards, who has most recently been suffering from “knocks and niggles” after a year out injured, were the only other injury-related absentees in Gameweek 2.
New signing Gonzalo Montiel trained on Thursday for the first time but Cooper wouldn’t be drawn on whether the World Cup winner features this weekend.
LUTON TOWN
Reece Burke (knee) is available for selection after returning to training over the last 10 days or so but fellow centre-halves Daniel Potts (ankle) and Gabriel Osho (knee) remain out.
Potts and midfielder Jordan Clark (ankle) are set to be sidelined for “months” yet but Osho, who is not yet back on the grass, should be available sooner than that.
“Pottsy, same as Clicker, they’ll be out for a number of months, unfortunately.
“Gabe is slightly different but he’s not out on the grass yet, so he’s not one we can consider in the near future.” – Rob Edwards
Edwards added that Ross Barkley was “in the mix” after a fortnight of training with his new club.
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