There are fitness updates on the likes of Cole Palmer (£6.2m), Malo Gusto (£4.3m) and Pedro Porro (£5.8m) as the pre-match press conferences for Gameweek 35 continue.
There are 16 listed in the schedule below, following on from the three that took place on Thursday.
Roberto De Zerbi is the one name missing: he will either be a late addition to the list above or be facing the media on Saturday.
This is a ‘live’ blog, so we will add the key quotes as and when they arrive. Hit refresh for the latest updates.
FPL GAMEWEEK 35 TEAM NEWS: KEY INJURY UPDATES
- Chelsea: Palmer back in training, Gusto injured, James + Colwill not ready
- Tottenham Hotspur: Udogie out, Porro + Richarlison available
- Manchester City: No more news on Haaland
- Newcastle United: Trippier still out, Pope back in training
- Liverpool: Gakpo returns, Jota + Bradley still out
- Arsenal: Timber “close” to a comeback
- Manchester United: Mount the only likely returnee
- Crystal Palace: Eze “questionable”, Olise ready to start
- Aston Villa: Six still injured, Luiz returns
- Brentford: Frank hopeful on Toney, four others out
- West Ham United: Bowen resumes training, Aguerd out
- Everton: Calvert Lewin battling illness, Mykolenko “unlikely”
- Wolverhampton Wanderers: S Bueno out, too soon for Neto
- Bournemouth: Kerkez red card appeal unsuccessful, six still out
- Fulham: Willian “should” be back
- Luton Town: Kabore out for the season
- Sheffield United: McBurnie ruled out for the season
- Burnley: Foster + Muric fine, Koleosho still out
- Nottingham Forest: Vague team news from Nuno
FPL GAMEWEEK 35 TEAM NEWS: FRIDAY’S PRESS CONFERENCE TIME
CHELSEA
Cole Palmer has recovered from illness to resume training and looks set to be available for selection this weekend.
“Cole was training well in the last few days. We assume he is going to be ready for tomorrow and be part of the squad tomorrow, yes.” – Mauricio Pochettino
Romeo Lavia (thigh) and Wesley Fofana (knee) remain on the sidelines, while Reece James (hamstring) and Levi Colwill (toe) are not ready to return.
“They are not available yet. They are close. Today and yesterday they were doing some partial training with the squad. They are close but still, they are not available.” – Mauricio Pochettino on Reece James and Levi Colwill
Enzo Fernandez has also undergone season-ending groin surgery this week.
Chelsea’s weekly injury bulletin says that Lesley Ugochukwu (hamstring), Christopher Nkunku (hamstring) and Robert Sanchez (illness) are, like James and Colwill, only back in “partial training”.
It also says that Malo Gusto (knee) and Ben Chilwell (knee) are “undergoing rehabilitation programmes”, suggesting they’re both sidelined for now.
Mauricio Pochettino didn’t offer any update on the pair but Gusto was seen in individual training on Thursday.
The injury list goes on to state that Carney Chukwuemeka (knee) and Raheem Sterling (back) are “undergoing medical assessment”.
“Sterling suffered pain in his lower back. Carney feels something in his knee related to his problem before. Hope that these are not big issues and can be available as soon as possible because now we are going to lose two players that were there.” – Mauricio Pochettino
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Destiny Udogie has joined Manor Solomon (knee), Fraser Forster (foot) and Ryan Sessegnon (hamstring) on the sidelines for the rest of the season after undergoing thigh surgery.
Oliver Skipp (knock) will also sit out this weekend’s action.
The good news is that Pedro Porro (hamstring) and Richarlison (knee) have returned to training and are available for selection.
“The more significant one is losing Destiny in this period. Unfortunately, he picked up an injury which means the end of this season. Skippy has got a minor knock as well and he’ll miss this weekend. So, they’re the two we have from the last game.
“Pedro and Richy have both trained well this week and are both available.” – Ange Postecoglou on injuries
MANCHESTER CITY
Pep Guardiola’s Gameweek 35 press conference frustratingly took the form of an embargoed section filmed straight after full-time at the Amex.
There is no further update on Erling Haaland (muscle), then, beyond the vaguely positive one Guardiola offered on Thursday evening.
However, the Norwegian striker was then sighted on the training ground on Friday afternoon. Given that City’s first-team training would have been more ‘recovery’ in nature the day after a match, it’s unclear whether he’ll be fully fit for Sunday.
City don’t have any other known fitness concerns.
NEWCASTLE UNITED
Kieran Trippier (calf) isn’t yet ready to return for the Magpies ahead of their meeting with Sheffield United.
“We hope he’ll be back soon. He won’t be back for this game.” – Eddie Howe on Kieran Trippier
Eddie Howe will likely have a similar squad to the one he had in Gameweek 34 but Miguel Almiron (knee), Joelinton (quad) and Nick Pope (shoulder) are making progress.
“They are getting closer, not close enough for this match.
“Nick is beginning to start his early training sessions with us. Still not participated in a big group session yet but he has started to be with the outfield players in different shooting drills. He’s getting closer.
“Joelinton has been to see the specialist recently, he had good news on his comeback so again he’ll continue to do more.
“Miggy is there or thereabouts, so we’re hopeful for maybe next week.” – Eddie Howe
Jamaal Lascelles (knee), Sven Botman (knee), Joe Willock (Achilles), Matt Targett (Achilles) and Lewis Miley (back) are out for the season.
Sandro Tonali is banned until August, too.
Tino Livramento meanwhile has only been on the bench in the last two matches and still hasn’t fully recovered from an ankle issue. He’ll be assessed in training.
“[Tino] came on against Tottenham and had a slight reaction in his ankle after that game. Minimal but enough to then restrict his training.
“We are having to look after him. A few days makes a big difference. So, let’s see how he feels today, how he gets through training and then we’ll make a decision regarding this game.” – Eddie Howe
Callum Wilson came through his comeback cameo in midweek unscathed.
“[Callum] came through fine, which was a big positive from the game. I thought he looked good, had a couple of dangerous moments, linked well with the players around him.” – Eddie Howe
LIVERPOOL
Jurgen Klopp confirmed that Diogo Jota (hip) and Conor Bradley (ankle) are still not ready to return.
“Both not ready. Progressing well, not ready, and nobody told me yet that they will start training in the next few days. So, I think that will take time, a little bit.” – Jurgen Klopp
The Liverpool boss did however say that Cody Gakpo was back in contention after missing out in midweek to attend the birth of his child.
Ben Doak (knee), Thiago Alcantara (muscle) and Joel Matip (knee) remain sidelined.
“Is it possible that we were a bit tired or whatever? Yeah, of course. It’s tough, [a] long season for different reasons, not all the players played all the games but they are coming back from injury. Trent Alexander-Arnold, as an example, played outstanding against Fulham and then against Everton, was it a little bit too much? Maybe, but we need him obviously. Can he be on top of his game? Probably not.
“Others play all the time or very often, or were injured first time in their career really for a long time, stuff like this. And, of course, not in a good moment one or two as well. That’s the situation.” – Jurgen Klopp
ARSENAL
Jurrien Timber (knee), who featured for the under-21s on Monday, is nearing a return to first-team contention.
Mikel Arteta said on Friday that the defender was “very close” to being available.
“We are going to have to make that decision tomorrow after the training session. He’s very close, I don’t know if this is going to come a bit too early, this one, but he’s very close, I would say.” – Mikel Arteta on Jurrien Timber
The Gunners have no other known concerns.
“Yeah, the availability, we mentioned before is going to be something key. It’s true that apart from Jurrien, who is going to be very close, we have everybody available and that’s a huge boost. That elevates the training sessions, the competition between the players and the alternatives to pick the right line-up, to change the game. It’s something really important.” – Mikel Arteta
MANCHESTER UNITED
Erik ten Hag says he’s expecting Mason Mount to be available for Burnley’s visit to Old Trafford.
Other than that, though, United look set to have the same squad from the win over Sheffield United on Wednesday.
“It’s the same squad apart from Mason Mount, he will return to the squad.” – Erik ten Hag
Marcus Rashford and Willy Kambwala are unlikely to return, then, based on those comments.
Raphael Varane (muscle), Luke Shaw (muscle), Jonny Evans (muscle), Tyrell Malacia (knee), Victor Lindelof (hamstring), Lisandro Martinez (calf) and Anthony Martial (groin) remain out.
Asked specifically about Shaw, Martial and Martinez, ten Hag said he hopes to have them back before the end of the season.
“Yes, I think so. I think we are all going to see them [again] in this season.
“They returned, all three onto the pitch. Next week, they have to make the step into team training and so we think they can be available for the last weeks [of the season].
“They are progressing well.” – Erik ten Hag on Messrs Shaw, Martial and Martinez,
CRYSTAL PALACE
Oliver Glasner has said that Eberechi Eze is “questionable” for Saturday’s match at Fulham.
The midfielder has a problem with his knee and a late decision will be taken tomorrow.
“Ebs Eze is questionable for tomorrow, he has a problem with his knee. We will decide tomorrow if it makes sense that he plays.
“Everybody else is fit, nobody new is back but just this one [new issue]. It was a match injury, we didn’t really train for two days now, it was just recovery.
“He was knocked down many times in the [Newcastle] game so we will see.” – Oliver Glasner
Michael Olise, who had managed minutes in midweek, is ready to start, according to his boss.
“Yes, [Olise is fit to start]. He would have been fit to start before the Newcastle game, but we spoke and then we decided together that it makes sense to give him fewer minutes against Newcastle and have him fit against Fulham.” – Oliver Glasner
Jefferson Lerma (hamstring), Sam Johnstone (elbow), Rob Holding (hamstring), Matheus Franca (groin), Marc Guehi (knee) and Cheick Doucoure (Achilles) remain out.
ASTON VILLA
Douglas Luiz returns from a two-match ban but Alex Moreno (calf) and Nicolo Zaniolo (unknown) remain sidelined this weekend.
Also missing are longer-term injury victims Jacob Ramsey (foot), Tyrone Mings (knee), Boubacar Kamara (knee) and Emi Buendia (knee).
BRENTFORD
There is still some doubt over whether Ivan Toney will recover from his niggling hip injury for the Everton game.
Thomas Frank said on Thursday that his striker was “progressing” and is “better” but stopped short of giving him the all-clear.
“[Toney is] progressing, better, got to hope – and I qualify hope – that he is available for Saturday. Still one more training, so let’s see.” – Thomas Frank
The Brentford boss did later add that Toney had taken part in a small-sided training game, scoring too.
Rico Henry (knee), Josh Dasilva (knee), Ben Mee (ankle) and Aaron Hickey (hamstring) remain out, while loanee Neal Maupay is ineligible.
“He is progressing. Because he’s been out for so long, I’m not counting on it. Let’s see what happens in the next couple of weeks but right now, I’m not expecting it.” – Thomas Frank on whether Aaron Hickey will feature again this season
WEST HAM UNITED
Jarrod Bowen (back) has resumed training and has a “good chance” of being available, according to his manager.
Konstantinos Mavropanos (unknown) will be assessed but Nayef Aguerd (ankle) remains out.
“Jarrod Bowen is back training, so there is a good chance he will be available. We will still need to monitor him to see how he is but hopefully, Jarrod is back and fit.”
“We’ve got a couple of issues with our centre-halves. Nayef [Aguerd] won’t be available as he’s not ready yet. Dinos [Mavropanos] has got a chance, so we will need to try and see how he is, but again really tight and it is a quick turnaround.
“Hopefully, they will be fine.” – David Moyes
George Earthy (concussion) should be available.
EVERTON
Sean Dyche said on Thursday that Vitalii Mykolenko is “unlikely” to feature against Brentford on Saturday.
The defender hobbled out of the midweek Merseyside derby with an ankle injury and will need a scan.
“Mykolenko is unlikely. We’ll see how that settles. He needs a scan on that to know the truth of it but it’s not great, the early signs. We’ll see how quickly that settles.” – Sean Dyche
The Everton boss also expressed doubts that Seamus Coleman (groin) would be available, while Beto (head), Nathan Patterson (hamstring), Lewis Dobbin (ankle) and Dele (groin) are all definitely out.
Dyche is however hopeful that Dominic Calvert-Lewin will recover from illness to face the Bees, having played through it against Liverpool.
“He’s had a bit of illness, so we’re hopeful that passes. He had it before the game, so I must commend him on that. I thought he was outstanding, his physical performance was outstanding. He’s still not quite over it, so we hope that settles down over the next day or two.” – Sean Dyche on Dominic Calvert-Lewin
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS
Craig Dawson (groin) and Leon Chiwome (ankle) are out for the season, while the Luton Town game will come too soon for Pedro Neto (hamstring) and Jean-Ricner Bellegarde (knee).
“No one is welcomed back, I don’t think. I think we are as we were with the injured players. Bellegarde, a bit too soon. He did train with the lads today. Pedro getting closer but still a bit too soon.” – Gary O’Neil
Santiago Bueno also misses out with a minor hamstring injury but Toti Gomes is expected to recover from muscle tightness to feature.
BOURNEMOUTH
Milos Kerkez will have to serve a three-match ban after Bournemouth unsuccessfully appealed the defender’s midweek red card.
Luis Sinisterra (hamstring), Romain Faivre (hamstring), Marcus Tavernier (hamstring), Ryan Fredericks (calf), Tyler Adams (back) and Chris Mepham (illness) all remain out injured.
Andoni Iraola said that a couple of his players finished the win over Wolves “with some issues” but added that they were knocks and not muscular injuries.
FULHAM
Fulham have had a mostly fit squad since the March international break but Willian missed out last weekend with a tight groin.
Marco Silva said on Friday that the veteran winger should be back.
“Probably going to be involved in the match. Trained the last few days with us, the reaction has been good from him. We are going to assess him, we just finished the session, to assess him and after take decisions for the game. But probably we are going to see him, yeah.”
LUTON TOWN
Issa Kabore (ankle), who came off last weekend in the defeat to Brentford, is out for the season.
Rob Edwards isn’t expecting Chiedozie Ogbene (hamstring) or Elijah Adebayo (hamstring) to be back, either.
Dan Potts (hamstring), Mads Andersen (calf), Amari’i Bell (hamstring), Jacob Brown (knee), Marvelous Nakamba (knee) and Tom Lockyer (health) are also sidelined.
SHEFFIELD UNITED
Chris Wilder confirmed on Friday that Oli McBurnie (hamstring) will be out for the rest of the campaign.
“Oli McBurnie is out for the season so that’s a massive blow for us.
“He went to see a specialist, he doesn’t require surgery but obviously, that’s the end of his season.” – Chris Wilder
James McAtee is also a fresh concern with a groin injury but Wilder confirmed that Jayden Bogle‘s (calf) midweek withdrawal was merely precautionary.
“Jayden was [precautionary], McAtee not so. He went for a scan, waiting for results this morning so fingers crossed that he’s okay.
“We believe Jayden will be okay and there’s a question mark about McAtee.” – Chris Wilder
George Baldock (calf), Max Lowe (ankle), Rhys Norrington-Davies (hamstring), Chris Basham (leg) and John Egan (leg) remain sidelined.
Tom Davies (hamstring), Rhian Brewster (hamstring) and Daniel Jebbison (illness) have been back on the grass recently but Brewster and Jebbison in particular may be held back for next season, rather than be risked for the doomed survival bid. Jack Robinson (ankle) may be in a similar boat.
BURNLEY
Ari Muric and Lyle Foster have recovered from minor injuries sustained in Gameweek 34.
Aaron Ramsey (knee), Nathan Redmond (leg), Ameen Al-Dakhil (unknown) and Jordan Beyer (muscle) are likely out for the season and Luca Koleosho (knee) isn’t yet ready to return.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Nuno Espirito Santo was giving little away in terms of team news on Friday.
“Yeah, we have some issues. Some players have joined, others not, but no major differences.” – Nuno Espirito Santo
Willy Boly (muscle) and Taiwo Awoniyi (muscle), who have been out for some time, are the only two injury concerns that we’re aware of at Forest.
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3 months, 1 day agoBREAKING: Erling Haaland is back in #ManCity training
https://twitter.com/City_Xtra/status/1783873944270872704?t=4z0mCIquP99ZoEy2ExyKlw&s=19