The remaining four pre-match press conferences for Gameweek 15 of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) took place today.
It’s the managers of Everton, Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United who have been facing the media ahead of their Premier League fixtures on Thursday evening.
While there’s nothing that we FPL bosses can do with the information to affect the current Gameweek, there are still noteworthy nuggets to report on ahead of Gameweek 16.
FPL GAMEWEEK 15 TEAM NEWS: WEDNESDAY’S INJURY UPDATES
- Newcastle United: Howe confirms Pope timeline
- Tottenham Hotspur: Romero returns, Dier out, Sarr close
- West Ham United: Antonio still injured, Zouma available
- Everton: Calvert-Lewin back in contention
NEWCASTLE UNITED
Eddie Howe confirmed that Nick Pope is expected to be out for around four months, a timeline reported in the media earlier this week, as surgery is needed on his dislocated shoulder.
“He’s had a couple of appointments visiting specialists. I’m awaiting final news on what’s going to happen. We anticipate he’ll be operated on and there’s no doubt he needs an operation,. so he’ll be out for a period of time.
“The operation hasn’t happened yet but we’re thinking roughly around four months so a big blow to us but one that we expected after the game as soon as you saw the dislocation. We were fearing the worst.” – Eddie Howe on Nick Pope
Martin Dubravka, the second-most-bought player of Gameweek 15, is now poised for a run in the side.
“We really believe in Martin. I’ve always had that high opinion of him. Yes, we brought in Nick; we wanted to build competition for places and a squad that we felt could really carry us to great success. But Martin is a high-class goalkeeper.
“He’s a brilliant shot-stopper himself and very good with his feet and distribution so no hesitation about bringing Martin into the team and I hope he does really well.” – Eddie Howe on Martin Dubravka
When asked if Newcastle could swoop for reinforcements in the goalkeeping department, Howe didn’t completely rule out a move for another shot-stopper in January but also said that now was the chance to Dubrakva and co to stake their claim.
“I’ve seen a lot of the media headlines and press speculation regarding goalkeepers and other players. We have not made any inquiries or any decisions about our recruitment leading into January.
“This is a chance for the goalkeepers we have at the football club to consolidate their positions, and that will be the same for every other position at the club.” – Eddie Howe
Howe hinted that some of his injured players are close to a return, naming no names – although Harvey Barnes (toe), Joe Willock (Achilles), Callum Wilson (hamstring), Sean Longstaff (ankle) and Sven Botman (knee) are thought to be the nearest to a comeback.
Botman said on social media yesterday that he was in the “last few steps” of his recovery and is thought to be in light training, albeit not with his team-mates.
“We hope so. Difficult to give a definitive answer on that, we hope so. No-one is training with the group at the moment but there are players that are very close.” – Eddie Howe, when asked if any of his injured players could be back after the trip to Everton
Jacob Murphy (shoulder), Elliot Anderson (back), Matt Targett (hamstring), Dan Burn (back), Sandro Tonali (ban) and Javier Manquillo (groin) are also out at present.
There wasn’t anything about the fitness of Anthony Gordon (hip) but the winger had been seen in training on Tuesday and Howe was talking in terms of the winger featuring against his old club.
“I’m sure he would have thought about it and I’m sure he’ll be going through the mental process of preparing for the game. My message to him would be just to play a normal game and don’t overthink it.
“It’s not the first time he’s been back. I’m hopeful he can just concentrate on his football and continue to play as well as he has.” – Eddie Howe on Anthony Gordon revisiting Goodison Park
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Eric Dier (groin) has joined James Maddison (ankle), Micky van de Ven (hamstring), Manor Solomon (knee), Ivan Perisic (knee), Ryan Sessegnon (hamstring), Alfie Whiteman (ankle), Ashley Phillips (ankle) and Rodrigo Bentancur (ankle) on the injury list.
The game will also likely come too soon for Pape Matar Sarr but he should return in Gameweek 16.
“Nothing the other night in terms of disrupting this preparation. From the guys out, Pape is back training. Probably tomorrow will be a bit too soon for him but on Sunday I’m pretty sure he’ll be available. Richy got five mins the other day and felt short physically but in terms of where he is, he’s available. All the rest I don’t expect to see back for a while.” – Ange Postecoglou
Cristian Romero will be back from suspension, at least, and he surely comes straight back into the starting XI.
“Great to have him back because he’s the only recognised centre-half fit at the moment because Micky van de Ven, Eric Dier and Ashley Phillips are all out so to have him back is obviously good.” – Ange Postecoglou
WEST HAM UNITED
With Jarrod Bowen (knee) recovering in time to face Crystal Palace last Sunday, the only Hammer on the injury list in Gameweek 14 was Michail Antonio (hamstring) – although Kurt Zouma wasn’t involved because of personal reasons.
Zouma has now been declared available by David Moyes, although Antonio remains sidelined.
EVERTON
Dominic Calvert-Lewin (calf) is available for Everton’s clash with Newcastle United.
“Dom is showing good signs today of being right, so he will come back into the thinking.” – Sean Dyche
Amadou Onana (calf) is uncertain to make Thursday’s game, while Dele Alli (hip) remains out and Andre Gomes (calf) is short of match fitness.
Gomes recently featured for the under-21s to build up match fitness, after missing much of 2023/24.
“André has had a very frustrating season so far but he got a run out last week of 60-odd minutes, which is good. There is a bit more to come from him, I think, to be fully fit.
“Amadou is only just back on the grass so it’s touch-and-go with our decision around him.” – Sean Dyche
