There are 14 pre-match press conferences taking place today and we’ve got the key Fantasy Premier League (FPL) team news for Gameweek 8 here.
There are also quotes from Roberto De Zerbi, who doesn’t appear to be hosting a usual press conference in front of reporters following Brighton and Hove Albion’s clash with Marseille last night.
This is a ‘live’ article and will be updated as and when the pressers are staged on Friday. Make sure to hit refresh for the latest injury updates.
The managers of Sheffield United, Everton, Burnley, Nottingham Forest and Brentford all faced the media on Thursday and the headlines from those press conferences can be found here.
GAMEWEEK 8 TEAM NEWS: INJURY UPDATES
- Arsenal: Saka “in contention”
- Tottenham Hotspur: Son + Maddison passed fit
- Newcastle United: Botman out, Wilson to be assessed
- Brighton and Hove Albion: Estupinan out, Gross returns
- Chelsea: Mudryk passed fit, James banned
- Liverpool: Gakpo injured, Jota suspended
- Manchester City: Stones not ready to play
- Manchester United: Reguilon fails to recover
- Aston Villa: Diaby expected to train
- Crystal Palace: Eze suffers “serious” hamstring injury
- West Ham United: Antonio to be assessed
- Wolverhampton Wanderers: Doubts over the two Buenos
- Fulham: Tete fails to recover
- Bournemouth: Big setback for Adams
- Luton Town: Bell out but Barkley returns
FRIDAY’S PRESS CONFERENCE TIMES
ARSENAL
Mikel Arteta provided some positive-sounding comments on Bukayo Saka (hamstring), although stopped short of passing the winger fit.
Saka was named in the England squad this week, raising initial hopes that he will recover in time for Gameweek 8.
“He’s in contention, let’s see how he progresses from here to Sunday. Obviously he had to leave the pitch, that’s never good news, but let’s see how he recovers.”
*Nods when asked if a scan has shown he has avoided serious injury*
“In contention, that’s it! I’m not a doctor, that’s what they told me.” – Mikel Arteta on Bukayo Saka
Jurrien Timber (knee) is a long-term absentee, while Gabriel Martinelli (muscle) hasn’t been seen in training since bowing out of the Everton match in Gameweek 5.
Thomas Partey is fit, however, and will make the squad on Sunday.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Ange Postecoglou has confirmed that Manor Solomon (knee) will miss some “significant game-time over the next few months” after picking up an injury in training.
The Spurs boss assuaged fitness fears over Son Heung-min and James Maddison, however.
“From last week, everyone else [bar Solomon] is OK. Sonny is fine, he’s trained the last two days, no problem.” – Ange Postecoglou on Son Heung-min
“No-one is wrapped in cotton wool, mate. There’s no cotton wool here. There’s only barbed wire and uncomfortable uniforms, mate. They all work hard every day, they just have different programmes.
“Madders has trained all week, he hasn’t missed a session.” – Ange Postecoglou on whether James Maddison ‘has to be wrapped in cotton wool’
Brennan Johnson (hamstring) should return after the international break but for now, remains sidelined along with Ivan Perisic (knee), Ryan Sessegnon (hamstring), Rodrigo Bentancur (knee) and Alfie Whiteman (ankle).
Bryan Gil (groin) and Giovani Lo Celso (quad) have been training recently and could be involved, however.
NEWCASTLE UNITED
Sven Botman (knee) won’t make the trip to West Ham United, so the Dutchman stays with Harvey Barnes (toe) and Joe Willock (Achilles) on the injury list.
Anthony Gordon will also sit out Gameweek 8 through suspension, having collected five bookings in the opening seven Gameweeks.
Callum Wilson (hamstring) and Joelinton (hamstring) are the closest to a return, with Wilson pictured in training ahead of the midweek victory over Paris Saint-Germain but not risked for that game.
“I think the injury list doesn’t look great the minute but I don’t think apart from Harvey, there is anything long-term there. Maybe some short-term pain for us.
“We will wait and see how Callum and Joe[linton] are, they are probably the closest. We’ve got Anthony suspended, that’s another blow for us.
“Sven won’t make it.” – Eddie Howe
Emil Krafth (knee) made his playing return after a year-long absence for the under-21s last Friday.
BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION
Pervis Estupinan (muscle) was ruled out for “more or less” a month by Roberto De Zerbi earlier this week, so the Ecuador international joins Julio Enciso (knee) on the sidelines.
“He is injured and he can’t play for a long time, unfortunately. He’s an important player we are losing. We can play in that position with [Tariq] Lamptey, with Igor [Julio], with other players. We have to be ready.
“One month, more or less. I don’t know the right time but it’s not for only one game. Muscular injury.” – Roberto De Zerbi on Pervis Estupinan, speaking in his pre-Europa League presser on Wednesday
James Milner (muscle) and Adam Lallana (minor injury) were again absent for Thursday’s clash with Marseille but Pascal Gross (muscle) returned to play 90 minutes.
In quotes reported by the Argus on Friday morning, De Zerbi discussed Gross, Milner and possible Estupinan understudy Tariq Lamptey.
“I think [Lamptey] was one of the best for us on the pitch. Now the problem is for Sunday because I don’t want to take risks with him. He was injured in the last part of last season and the first part of this season.
“At the moment it is very tough because we lost Pervis.
“I don’t know if we can play with James Milner. We have to analyse the Pascal Gross situation because for him it was the first game after injury.
“It is a tough moment but I think we can play well anyway.” – Roberto De Zerbi
CHELSEA
Malo Gusto remains suspended but Nicolas Jackson returns from his own one-match ban to face Burnley.
“We already took the decision but they know. You will see tomorrow.” – Mauricio Pochettino on whether Nicolas Jackson or Armando Broja will start
“Broja has amazing potential, now it’s about how he recovers from his big injury, a long period out. He is a very talented player, we trust him, that’s why he played against Fulham – and maybe will be tomorrow. Now he needs time because he needs to feel completely recovered. Not [just] in his body, in his mind also. It sometimes also affects your mind. He is in a very good mood, in a very good way, working really hard. I hope that he can improve in the next few weeks and can be the player that we really trust.” – Mauricio Pochettino on Armando Broja
Reece James, who Mauricio Pochettino said has now recovered from a hamstring injury, is also banned for this game after pleading guilty to an FA charge.
Ben Chilwell (hamstring), Romeo Lavia (ankle), Christopher Nkunku (knee), Wesley Fofana (knee) and Marcus Bettinelli (knee) are still out for the Blues.
“It is difficult, I am not a doctor. It is about judging day by day, we cannot say the period that he is going to be out.” – Mauricio Pochettino on Ben Chilwell
In better news, Mykhailo Mudryk (quad) and Moises Caicedo (knock) have been passed fit after picking up minor injuries in Monday’s win over Fulham.
“Yes, both in the squad, then we will decide whether they can be available to play from the start or not.” – Mauricio Pochettino on Mykhailo Mudryk and Moises Caicedo
Trevoh Chalobah (hamstring), Benoit Badiashile (hamstring), and Carney Chukwuemeka (knee) are closing in on comebacks, meanwhile, having trained with their team-mates this week.
LIVERPOOL
Diogo Jota and Curtis Jones are both suspended this weekend after Gameweek 7 dismissals, while Stefan Bajcetic (calf) and Thiago Alcantara (hip) have been joined on the injury list by Cody Gakpo (knee).
“It is just, for [Thiago] especially, annoying. He had now two setbacks in the rehab, not massive but enough to take him off the pitch again. Obviously not the same injury, not at all, but a bit similar.
“It’s as annoying as it is for Stefan Bajcetic, who was there, played a few minutes and then felt something else. That’s how it is after long-term injuries from time to time.
“I don’t know and I will not put pressure on that [their returns] because I can’t anyway. If they will be back after the internationals, we will see that. Hopefully, it would be cool.
“Cody, there is a good chance that he will back [after the break]. He is already out of the brace, walks normal around here, so from all the very, very bad opportunities and possibilities injury-wise we had, I think he nearly got the best, but is still injured.” – Jurgen Klopp
MANCHESTER CITY
Despite making the bench for the midweek clash with RB Leipzig, John Stones won’t be considered for the trip to Arsenal this weekend.
“John Stones is not ready to play, maybe for the national team but not for us.” – Pep Guardiola
City welcomed the fit-again Bernardo Silva back to the matchday squad on Wednesday, too.
Kevin De Bruyne (hamstring) and Rodri (suspension) remain on the sidelines for Sunday’s game at the Emirates.
Rodri serves the final game of a three-match ban after being sent off for violent conduct in Gameweek 6.
MANCHESTER UNITED
Despite hopes that Sergio Reguilon (muscle) would be back in time for Gameweek 8, the left-back won’t be fit to face Brentford.
“Not for tomorrow.” – Erik ten Hag when asked if Sergio Reguilon was fit
Lisandro Martinez (foot), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (hamstring), Luke Shaw (muscle), Amad Diallo (knee) and Tyrell Malacia (knee) also remain on the injury list, while Jadon Sancho won’t feature for disciplinary reasons.
Antony is now free to play after his own recent suspension by the club, while Kobbie Mainoo (ankle) was pictured back in training this week.
“I think he’s ready for a start.” – Erik ten Hag on Antony
ASTON VILLA
Boubacar Kamara (knock) and Moussa Diaby (back) missed Aston Villa’s UEFA Europa Conference League tie against Zrinjski on Thursday but are now expected to train, with assessment to follow ahead of Sunday’s clash with Wolves.
Tyrone Mings (knee) and Emi Buendia (knee) have been joined on the sidelines by Jacob Ramsey (foot) and Alex Moreno (hamstring), who have suffered the recurrence of old injuries.
“I think they are not going to be available, Jacob Ramsey and Alex Moreno.
“Jacob Ramsey will need time again to recover his injury, more or less. Again, he has an injury and he’s not going to be available.
“Alex Moreno was progressing, he was working with the team, he was doing training sessions, but he needed to stop again because he wasn’t feeling good. Now, again he’s feeling better and hopefully after the break he could be with the group, training every day.
“Moussa Diaby and Kamara are both going to work tomorrow with the team. And in case they feel good, they could be [playing], but [it’s] not 100 per cent.” – Unai Emery
CRYSTAL PALACE
Roy Hodgson has confirmed that Eberechi Eze has sustained a “serious” hamstring injury after media reports earlier in the week suggested he would be out for six weeks.
“He has got a hamstring problem – he has had a scan on it and obviously we will have to wait on a second scan, but it is a serious injury.
“I would prefer not to say because I’m optimistic on these things, but the severity of the injury might suggest it would be as long as [five to six weeks].” – Roy Hodgson
There’s a chance that Odsonne Edouard (hamstring) could be back for the visit of Nottingham Forest, with the striker pictured in training in midweek. We’ve not yet had an update on Edouard from Hodgson, however.
Summer signing Matheus Franca (back) and James Tomkins (“minor injury”) were also sighted on the grass but the Palace boss said that Franca has yet to complete a full training session and will hopefully do so over the international break.
Dean Henderson (thigh), Jefferson Lerma (hamstring), Naouirou Ahamada (ankle) and Michael Olise (hamstring) look set to remain out.
WEST HAM UNITED
Michail Antonio (adductor), Ben Johnson (groin) and Aaron Cresswell (hamstring) missed Thursday’s trip to Freiburg.
David Moyes revealed on Friday morning that Antonio had not yet trained but had done some running with the medical team, so the striker will be assessed before Sunday’s clash with Newcastle.
“I will need to see [if Michail is available]. He’s not trained yet. He has done some running with the medical people, so over the next couple of days, hopefully we will find out if he is fit to play.” – David Moyes
Jarrod Bowen was trialled as the central striker against Freiburg so will be on standby to deputise in that position this weekend.
“I thought the forward players, especially in the early part of the game, played really well. I just felt it was maybe the right time to see if we could have a look at Jarrod at centre-forward in a really serious game. It wasn’t a pre-season friendly, it was a game with a lot riding on it, and I thought him and Lucas [Paqueta] did a brilliant job.
“We’re needing more options, more variables in what we’re going to do in the forward areas. Last night gave me some other ideas.” – David Moyes
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS
Wolves have two new injury concerns heading into the clash with Aston Villa.
Gary O’Neil said on Friday that Santiago Bueno has a tight hamstring but is expected to train tomorrow, while Hugo Bueno is a doubt with a “sore knee”.
Loanee Tommy Doyle is back after being ineligible to face his parent club last weekend but Jeanricner Bellegarde serves the third game of a three-match ban after his sending off in Gameweek 6.
FULHAM
Tosin Adarabioyo (groin) and Adama Traore (hamstring) remain several weeks away, while Kenny Tete (groin) isn’t quite ready to feature despite nearing a return from a minor issue.
“Nothing different from the last game. Still Tosin, Kenny Tete and Adama Trare [are] out of the plans. All the others are going to be available.” – Marco Silva
BOURNEMOUTH
Having only just returned to playing action, Tyler Adams (hamstring) has had a huge setback and could be set for another lengthy period on the sidelines.
“We don’t expect him soon again with us. The medical staff is analysing the situation, they are asking different specialists to take the best route. We still haven’t decided but whatever the solution we take, we don’t expect him soon on the pitch.” – Andoni Iraola on Tyler Adams
Andoni Iraola doesn’t expect anyone else to recover for Gameweek 8, so Ryan Fredericks (calf), Emiliano Marcondes (foot), Alex Scott (knee), Chris Mepham (“small injury”) and Lloyd Kelly (calf) look set to stay on the sidelines.
LUTON TOWN
Amari’i Bell will miss the visit of Spurs after he injured his hamstring in Tuesday’s game with Burnley.
Manager Rob Edwards explained the defender will be assessed on Friday to see the extent of the injury.
Ross Barkley (hamstring) is back, however, after a week of full training.
“He’s fit, he’s been training, he’s part of the squad and it’s good to have him back on the grass.” – Rob Edwards on Ross Barkley
Albert Sambi Lokonga (hamstring), Daniel Potts (ankle), Jordan Clark (ankle) and Gabriel Osho (knee) remain out for the Hatters.
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