There’s Gameweek 27 team news to bring you as we follow the 15 pre-match press conferences taking place on Friday.
We’ll cover all the updates and Fantasy Premier League (FPL) talking points in this ‘live’ article. Hit refresh for the latest news as this piece will be updated as and when the pressers take place.
The main headlines from Thursday’s four press conferences are available to read here.
Nuno Espirito Santo is the odd man out: he fulfilled his media duties after Wednesday’s FA Cup tie. That has now been released from its embargo and we’ve got the key updates from the Nottingham Forest boss below.
GAMEWEEK 27 TEAM NEWS: KEY INJURY UPDATES
- Liverpool: Salah out, Darwin + Szoboszlai train, Robertson to return today
- Bournemouth: Solanke still yet to train and a late call will be made
- Tottenham Hotspur: Richarlison out, Udogie has a “chance”, another week for Porro
- Wolverhampton Wanderers: Hwang ruled out but no timeline on his return
- Manchester City: Grealish to miss the Manchester derby
- Aston Villa: Konsa + Pau in squad but decision not yet taken on starts
- Newcastle United: Botman’s midweek rest, Isak’s fitness, too soon for Targett
- Crystal Palace: Eze returns, Andersen is fit
- Brighton and Hove Albion: Lamptey, Ferguson + Veltman all fit
- Chelsea: A “possibility” that Cucurella + Thiago could feature
- Luton Town: Adebayo, Lokonga + Osho out, Bell a doubt
- Brentford: Mee out for the season
- West Ham United: Cornet out, Phillips returns from a ban
- Fulham: Jimenez still injured, Palhinha remains suspended
- Nottingham Forest: Nuno hints that some of his injured players could return
- Burnley: Beyer “progressing well” but no timeline on return
GAMEWEEK 27 TEAM NEWS: FRIDAY’S PRESS CONFERENCE TIMES
LIVERPOOL
Jurgen Klopp revealed that Dominik Szoboszlai (hamstring) and Darwin Nunez (muscle) trained on Thursday, while Wataru Endō (ankle) and Andy Robertson (illness) are set to rejoin the group today.
Mohamed Salah (hamstring) will not be back, although a return against Manchester City in Gameweek 28 is possible.
“Darwin and Dom trained yesterday with the team, they looked good. We have to wait how they react.” – Jurgen Klopp
“I don’t think Mo is too far off but he will not feature tomorrow, and from there we have to go. It’s like with the other two [Nunez + Szoboszlai], what we said, ‘touch and go’ – that stays with Mo unfortunately a little bit longer. But I think next week, at any point, it’s possible [he returns]. He’s on the way back, defintely, but not there yet” – Jurgen Klopp on Mohamed Salah
Diogo Jota (knee), Curtis Jones (foot), Trent Alexander-Arnold (knee), Thiago Alcantara (muscle), Stefan Bajcetic (calf), Ben Doak (knee), Joel Matip (knee), Ryan Gravenberch (ankle) and Alisson (hamstring) will again be absent this weekend.
BOURNEMOUTH
Dominic Solanke (knee) has yet to train this week but Andoni Iraola said that the Cherries will make a late call on their star striker before the clash with Burnley.
Enes Unal (clavicle) has avoided serious injury and has trained, at least, so is expected to be in the squad,
“I think the MRI went quite well but it is true that he still hasn’t trained with us. We still have one more training tomorrow and I will leave chances open.
“It will depend on how he manages the pain because it is true that he still feels some pain in the knee. But at least with the MRI, everything is clear, nothing strange. It is just a matter of his sensations.
“It’s true that today he wasn’t training, but on the good side, let’s say, Enes was training with us today.” – Andoni Iraola on Dominic Solanke
“I don’t know [on the odds of him featuring] because it is a matter of him seeing himself outside, if he still feels the pain he felt the other day before the game or if it has improved. He will be the one taking the decision.
“It is a situation that is not new for Dom. It is something that has been going on since the Spurs game away, 31st of December. It is something that bothers him. He has been managing it quite well but it is true that this week, he has felt more pain.
“He wasn’t comfortable and obviously, he is receiving all the treatment, we are trying to help him as much as we can from the medical department. We will try until the end, until tomorrow. If he feels comfortable, he may want to train and let’s see how it goes.” – Andoni Iraola on Dominic Solanke
The Cherries will again be without Lloyd Kelly (hip), along with Max Aarons (hamstring), James Hill (ankle), Tyler Adams (hamstring) and Ryan Fredericks (calf).
Adams is training with the group but is not yet match fit.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Destiny Udogie (knee) has returned to training this week and “has a chance” to face Crystal Palace but it’ll likely be Gameweek 28 at the earliest before we see Pedro Porro (muscle) again.
The social media rumours were also true about Richarlison: he has picked up a knee injury that will keep him out for at least a fortnight and as many as four weeks.
Manor Solomon (knee), Fraser Forster (foot) and Ryan Sessegnon (hamstring) are also out.
“Richy has picked up a bit of a knee injury so he is going to be missing two or three weeks. Sess has his hamstring, he has had to have surgery on that.
“In terms of coming back in, Destiny has a chance for tomorrow. He’s trained, we’ll see how he pulls up. Pedro, probably another week away.” – Ange Postecoglou, to in-house media
“Richarlison is out for three or four weeks. He picked up a knee injury in the last game so he will be out for a little while.” – Ange Postecoglou, in his press conference
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS
Gary O’Neil has confirmed that Hwang Hee-chan (hamstring) has joined Matheus Cunha (hamstring) on the sidelines this weekend.
The Wolves boss doesn’t yet have a timeframe for Hwang but said that he was hopeful the South Korea international wouldn’t be out for too long.
MANCHESTER CITY
Jack Grealish (groin) will miss the Manchester derby after being substituted in the midweek cup win over Luton Town.
“He will not be fit for this weekend. When he will come back, I don’t know.
“I think he will not be fit [before the international break]. – Pep Guardiola on Jack Grealish
There was no update on Josko Gvardiol (ankle), who is nearing a return.
ASTON VILLA
Boubacar Kamara (knee), Tyrone Mings (knee), Emi Buendia (knee) and Diego Carlos (hamstring) will still be unavailable for Aston Villa’s clash with Luton Town, while the game comes a week too soon for Jhon Duran (hamstring).
Pau Torres (leg) and Ezra Konsa (knee) will be involved at Kenilworth Road but Unai Emery has yet to decide whether they will start or not.
“I include them in the squad for tomorrow but I don’t know if they are going to be available 100 per cent to play from the beginning.
“But I will decide tomorrow morning, speaking with them and how they feel for a very important match. Of course, it’s a very tough match, a lot of duels, a very demanding match.” Unai Emery on Pau Torres and Ezra Konsa
NEWCASTLE UNITED
Callum Wilson (tendon), Joelinton (quad) and Nick Pope (shoulder) are now the only names on Newcastle’s once-lengthy injury list.
Matt Targett (hamstring) is back in training and will be the next Magpie to return, although Eddie Howe hinted that the visit of Wolves would come too soon for the left-back.
Martin Dubravka was back from illness for Tuesday’s cup tie with Blackburn Rovers.
Elliott Anderson also returned in midweek, with Joe Willock and Alexander Isak making their comebacks in Gameweek 26.
“I think they’re getting there. I think Alex will get there with every game, his situation is slightly different to Joe’s.
“Alex has had a groin problem now three times so I think naturally, there’s maybe a feeling that he needs confidence in his body and physically with how he’s performing in the games.
“I think these two games have been really good for him to help him feel that his body is strong. Certainly, all the work behind the scenes has been good. I’d like to think he’ll improve with every game from this point onwards.
“Joe is slightly different, just with the length of time he’s been out. We’re trying to nurse him back to full fitness as quickly as possible. I think that’ll take a period of time before he’s back to his very, very best. Difficult to put a timeframe on it.” – Eddie Howe on the fitness of Alexander Isak and Joe Willock
Howe again confirmed that Sven Botman was merely rested against Blackburn.
“Sven is looking good. We just felt that Sven would benefit more from training than playing. He’s another player that has come back from a longer-term injury, back into the team. We just felt that he needed some more individualised training to hopefully get back to his very best level.
“Yeah, we could see him [tomorrow].” – Eddie Howe
Sandro Tonali remains banned until next season.
CRYSTAL PALACE
Oliver Glasner has confirmed that Will Hughes (unknown) and Eberechi Eze (hamstring) will return to the matchday squad after rejoining training this week.
Joachim Andersen has also shaken off a minor scare to face Spurs tomorrow.
“Will and Ebs had all the training sessions the whole week, so they are back in the squad for tomorrow. The same with Joachim.” – Oliver Glasner
Marc Guehi (knee), Jesurun Rak-Sakyi (hamstring), Michael Olise (hamstring), Cheick Doucoure (Achilles) and Rob Holding (ankle) are still unavailable.
BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION
Joao Pedro (hamstring), Jack Hinshelwood (foot), Solly March (knee), Kauro Mitoma (back) and James Milner (muscle) remain out, while Billy Gilmour still has two games to go of a three-match ban.
Roberto De Zerbi confirmed that Evan Ferguson, Tariq Lamptey and Joel Veltman are back after they missed out in midweek, however.
“Tariq Lamptey and Joel Veltman are available to play, Evan Ferguson as well. Welbeck played 45 minutes but he can play part of the game. I’m very, very happy.
“Yes, maybe we can [start them].” – Roberto De Zerbi
De Zerbi also promised changes from the midweek cup defeat at Molineux, a match that Pervis Estupinan started.
“To win the game, we have to play with fresh players . For it, I will change something in the first XI.” – Roberto De Zerbi
CHELSEA
Mauricio Pochettino said that there is a “possibility” that Marc Cucurella (knee) and Thiago Silva (groin) will be involved against Brentford after the pair returned to training.
Carney Chukwuemeka (ankle), Romeo Lavia (thigh), Lesley Ugochukwu (hamstring), Reece James (hamstring), Wesley Fofana (knee), Benoit Badiashile (muscle) and Christopher Nkunku (hamstring) remain out, however.
LUTON TOWN
Dan Potts (hamstring), Jacob Brown (knee), Mads Andersen (calf), Marvelous Nakamba (knee) and Tom Lockyer (health) remain sidelined, while Elijah Adebayo (hamstring) and Albert Sambi Lokonga (hamstring) haven’t recovered in time.
There are fresh defensive concerns from the midweek cup defeat to Manchester City, too.
Gabriel Osho (muscle) is ruled out, while Amari’i Bell (hamstring) and Joe Johnson (illness) will have to be assessed.
“We’re not far off where we were for the City game the other day. Gabe Osho will be a no. We’re going to give Amari’i Bell as much time as possible.
“So it’s a longer list than I would like but we’re not the only team that’s got a few missing at the moment. It gives opportunities to other people. We’re confident we can go into the game with a strong team, there might be a few young lads on the bench but it’s great for them.
“It’s [Bell’s] hamstring and ankle, he’s in with a shout.” – Rob Edwards
BRENTFORD
Bryan Mbeumo (ankle), Ethan Pinnock (ankle), Aaron Hickey (hamstring), Kevin Schade (muscle), Rico Henry (knee) and Josh Dasilva (knee) remain out for the Bees this weekend.
Ben Mee has joined them on the long-term injury list after limping out of the defeat to West Ham United on Monday.
Thomas Frank confirmed that Mee has fractured his ankle and that his season is now over.
WEST HAM UNITED
David Moyes almost has a fully fit squad but Maxwel Cornet has a hamstring problem and could be out for “a few weeks”.
Aaron Cresswell (calf/Achilles) should be fine, while Kalvin Phillips returns from a ban.
“Aaron Cresswell felt his calf and his Achilles a little bit before the Brentford game, so we didn’t want to take the risk with him, but he’s OK.
“Maxwel [Cornet] pulled his hamstring a little bit the Saturday or the Sunday before the same match, so it looks as if he is going to be out for a few weeks with that unfortunately.
“At the moment, they are the only two who we really see in that injury category.” – David Moyes
FULHAM
Raul Jimenez (hamstring) remains out, while Joao Palhinha serves the final game of a two-match ban.
Marco Silva said that everyone else is fit, presumably meaning that Willian (hamstring) is available again after he sat out the win over Manchester United.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Forest could recover some of their injured players for the visit of Liverpool.
Nuno Espirito Santo hinted that Chris Wood (hamstring), Ibrahim Sangaré (unspecified) and Willy Boly (unspecified) were nearing returns.
Ola Aina and Nuno Tavares (both unspecified) look set to remain out, however.
“Not sure, not sure. Let’s see tomorrow. Some players are in the final part of their recovery, let’s see.
“Ibrahim is closer. Chris Wood is also closer. Ola and Nuno, more problems. Boly is also in the final days of his recovery.
“We have to focus on the next game, and the next one is a tough one. It will require a lot of energy from us. Now it is important to recover well, then work and prepare well for that game.” – Nuno Espirito Santo
BURNLEY
Aaron Ramsey (knee), Lyle Foster (muscle), Luca Koleosho (knee) and Nathan Redmond (leg) are on the longer-term injury list, while Josh Brownhill is banned.
Jordan Beyer (muscle) hasn’t featured since December, with Vincent Kompany again only saying that he is “progressing well”. No timeframe has been placed on his return.
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