The 11 remaining pre-Gameweek 4 manager press conferences take place on Friday – and we’ll be bringing you the key Fantasy Premier League (FPL) injury news here.
Will Erling Haaland (£15.2m) play amid talk of possible compassionate leave? Will the likes of Ollie Watkins (£8.9m) have recovered from their minor fitness issues? And will Dominic Solanke (£7.5m) be back available after his recent lay-off? These are all questions we’re hoping for answers from today.
This is a ‘live’ article, so it’ll be updated as and when manager quotes become available. Keep refreshing for the latest news!
For the headlines from the nine pressers held already, read our Thursday round-up here.
And for everything else you may need ahead of Saturday’s deadline, there’s our FPL Gameweek 4 guide.
Don’t forget, too, that there’s still 40% off Premium Membership! Get access to all the tools, a transfer planner, exclusive articles, Opta and Statsbomb data and much more by signing up today – and lock in the price of your Membership for life.
KEY TEAM NEWS UPDATES FROM FRIDAY
- Manchester City: Haaland latest, Ake out injured
- Tottenham Hotspur: Solanke + van de Ven back in training, Bissouma out
- Arsenal: Odegaard + Calafiori latest, Jesus in training, Arteta on Sterling
- Liverpool: Elliott out, Mac Allister should be fine, Slot on Trent’s fitness
- Aston Villa: Watkins + Konsa available
- Chelsea: Gusto, Lavia + James out, no update on Palmer – but he has trained
- Newcastle United: Wilson behind schedule, Schar returns, Willock on the grass
- Crystal Palace: Chalobah out, Wharton fit, Riad sidelined for 8-12 weeks
- Fulham: Vinicius out, everyone else available
- Wolverhampton Wanderers: Ait-Nouri + Lemina to be assessed, Mosquera only had cramp
- Bournemouth: Dango injured after international duty, Kepa ineligible
FRIDAY’S PRESS CONFERENCE TIMES
VIDEO ROUND-UP
MANCHESTER CITY
Nathan Ake (muscle) has joined Oscar Bobb (leg) on the injury list.
The centre-half was stretchered off in the Netherlands’ draw with Germany on Tuesday evening and will now be out for weeks.
“Injured. I think he will be out until the next international break.” – Pep Guardiola on Nathan Ake
As mentioned in the introduction, there have been questions marks over Erling Haaland‘s involvement after the recent death of close friend Ivar Eggja.
The Norwegian has trained, at least, but as usual, Pep Guardiola was little help when it came to a definitive answer on Haaland’s availability.
“We will see tomorrow if he is able mentally, physically to play.” – Pep Guardiola on Erling Haaland
Phil Foden (illness) and Savinho (knee) have both been back in training over the break.
Guardiola was asked about Foden and Rodri, who returned from injury just before Gameweek 3 and subsequently went away with Spain.
“They’re good, they’re training. Really good.” – Pep Guardiola on Phil Foden and Rodri
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Dominic Solanke (ankle) and Micky van de Ven (knee) are back in training and in contention for the north London derby.
“It’s fairly positive. Micky’s good, he’s trained all the way through the international break and it was good for him to stay with us to build him back up, so he’s ready to go.
“Dom’s improved as well and trained the back half of this week. We still have two days to go with those guys so hopefully they get through training OK and are available.” – Ange Postecoglou, speaking to in-house club media
“Micky van de Ven is all good, he’s trained pretty fully through the international break. Dom, back after this week. Joined with the first team, trained today. We’ve got training tomorrow, if they get through it alright I guess they’ll be available.” – Ange Postecoglou, speaking in his press conference
Richarlison (muscle) and Will Lankshear (hamstring) remain out, however.
“Richy and Will Lankshear are the only two who are in rehab.” – Ange Postecoglou
There’s a fresh blow for the Lilywhites, too. Yves Bissouma was forced out of Mali’s win over Eswatini earlier this week and will have to be assessed before the visit of Arsenal.
“The internationals all came back OK. Biss is the only one who has obviously got an issue. It’s not serious but he’s getting treatment today, we’ll see if he can train tomorrow and make a decision there.” – Ange Postecoglou
ARSENAL
Mikel Arteta predictably couldn’t offer us a timeline on Martin Odegaard (ankle).
The Arsenal boss failed to even rule him out of the north London derby despite Norway’s national team doctor suggesting he faces at least three weeks out.
“We need some more tests, so let’s see what happens in the next day or so. This afternoon, probably. Let’s see what happens, the extent of the injury and how quickly we can get him back.
“I’ll leave that to the doctor. [Odegaard] wants to be present in every game and obviously a big game like this one but we need to make sure that we know, first of all, how good he can be or not.
“Players with 48 hours [to go] are always available but let’s see what happens.” – Mikel Arteta on Martin Odegaard
The Arsenal boss was similarly coy on Riccardo Calafiori, who withdrew from the Italy squad with an issue that was thought to be precautionary.
“It’s another one that we have to wait another day or so.” – Mikel Arteta on Riccardo Calafiori
Mikel Merino (shoulder), Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee) and Kieran Tierney (hamstring) remain out, while Declan Rice is suspended following his Gameweek 3 red card.
In more positive news, Gabriel Jesus (groin) is on the cusp of a return.
“Gabby was out [there training], he’s got another session tomorrow. If everything goes well, he will be ready to be selected in the squad, which is great news for us.” – Mikel Arteta on Gabriel Jesus
Arteta gave high praise to deadline-day signing Raheem Sterling, who has trained with his new teammates over the last fortnight.
“He looks great. First of all, because he’s got a big smile on his face, a lot of energy. He’s at it and he wants to prove a point. When someone has got that in his belly, you sense it straight away. Obviously, I don’t need to discover anything about his quality and what he can bring to the team.
“What I see is hunger. He’s a player who wants to play every minute of every game. When that’s not the case, he’s not happy. He loves football, it’s what he likes doing every single day. I see that. His commitment, the level of energy he’s bringing to the team, the quality, is a big plus.
“We are better with him. He’s going to make us better.” – Mikel Arteta on Raheem Sterling
LIVERPOOL
Curtis Jones could return after a minor injury but it’s not such good news for Harvey Elliott after his withdrawal from England under-21 duty.
The midfielder has suffered a fractured foot, with reports ruling him out for at least six weeks.
Arne Slot didn’t offer a timeline in Friday’s press conference but did at least confirm the injury.
“Harvey’s [injury] is, of course, a big disappointment for him but also for us. OK, he didn’t play that much in the first three games but he played a lot in pre-season and he showed himself really well. Of course, if he had stayed fit he would have had a lot of playing time in the upcoming fixtures but now that he isn’t, that also gives a chance to someone else. First and foremost, it’s a blow for himself and in the end also for us. Availability is important in the phase of the season when we play seven games in 22 days, I think.” – Arne Slot
Alexis Mac Allister had his own injury scare over the break but recovered to feature in Argentina’s clash with Colombia on Tuesday. He, and the other returning internationals, should be available this weekend.
“He was out in the last game but he trained with us yesterday. Harvey Elliott… is out for a longer time but I’m expecting Macca to be with us tomorrow.
“I don’t think anyone else [came back injured]” – Arne Slot on Alexis Mac Allister
As for Liverpool’s only summer signing, Federico Chiesa, there are no guarantees he’ll even make the squad let alone challenge for a start.
“Federico has trained with the team now three or four times so let’s see how he does today with the decision I make because we have more than 20 players, if I choose the position or the ones that are fittest.” – Arne Slot
Slot also commented on Trent Alexander-Arnold‘s fitness, after his early withdrawals in Gameweeks 1-3.
“He proved he could do 90 minutes [with England]. Maybe he could have done that before, as well. Against Ipswich, I saw that he became tired towards the end of the game. But he played two games afterwards so I think he’s completely ready to play 90.
“Sometimes it’s also having another player like Conor Bradley, who can do the job really well. He’s able to play 90, he showed like all the others, but I have a whole team to manage and a whole team to prepare for the season, and it’s also good for Conor to get his playing minutes – or for the one who comes in for Mo [Salah] or the ones who come in for… whichever ones that I took off, I don’t know exactly. It’s not always the individual, I look at the team and I have to prepare the whole squad for the upcoming fixtures.” – Arne Slot on Trent Alexander-Arnold
ASTON VILLA
Unai Emery says that Ollie Watkins is “getting better” in his battle to regain full fitness and appears to be “available” for Aston Villa’s clash with Everton.
“He’s progressively getting better, feeling better, and he’s in the squad. And being in the squad, thinking tomorrow he will be available to play.” – Unai Emery on Ollie Watkins
Emery also seemed to pass Ezri Konsa fit after the defender hobbled out of England’s win over Finland in midweek.
“Yes. The players are coming back after they played with their national teams, more or less, they are in the squad. We don’t have big issues after it.” – Unai Emery when asked if Ezri Konsa was OK, as well as if there were any new injuries
Long-term absentees Tyrone Mings (knee) and Boubacar Kamara (knee) remain out but we haven’t yet heard any more about Leon Bailey (hamstring), Matty Cash (hamstring), Leon Philogene (knock) and Diego Carlos (small injury).
Going back to Watkins, Emery discussed his selection dilemma up top.
“I’m happy. I want it, I want our players competing, each one, to increase the quality. Of course, I have two strikers now in good form. They played last year together at some times; we can repeat [that] again better than last year. When they played last year, they weren’t really in good connection on the pitch. I think Jhon Duran is getting mature, he is getting confidence. Ollie Watkins after his small problems, and after he tried to get fitness quick, progressively is feeling better. They can play individually or they can play together. Of course, I want the best of them from here to the end of the season. I am happy with both players in this form.” – Unai Emery
CHELSEA
Romeo Lavia (hamstring), Reece James (hamstring) and Malo Gusto (thigh) will all miss the trip to Bournemouth.
“Romeo looks like [he’s] very close. Hopefully for the next game. Unfortunately, Reece, he needs more time.
“Malo is still out. He’s not available for tomorrow’s game.” – Enzo Maresca
Cole Palmer and Wesley Fofana are thought to be OK despite withdrawals from the England and France squads respectively. Both have trained since but Enzo Maresca didn’t comment on either player.
Maresca did speak about new arrival Jadon Sancho.
“No, no, I said many times, I decide the first XI – it depends on the training session. So, Jadon is one of our wingers. I’m seeing him in exactly in the way I expect him, a very good player in the last third. As you said, one-v-one quality in the last third, so he’s exactly the player we were looking at but now it’s a matter to find the right moment for him to give him a chance.” – Enzo Maresca, when asked if the plan was to use Jadon Sancho off the bench
Omari Kellyman‘s exit from international duty is reportedly down to a hamstring injury.
NEWCASTLE UNITED
It doesn’t sound like Callum Wilson (back) and Joe Willock (thigh) will be back for Newcastle this week.
Eddie Howe reported on Friday that Wilson was slightly behind schedule, while Willock was on the grass but not training with the team.
“Joe Willock is improving. We have seen him in training this week, albeit not full training. He’s been with the group. Positive signs for him.
“Callum hasn’t had a setback but he is a little bit behind where we wanted him to be. We envisaged that he might be training at this moment in preparation for the games ahead but he is not there yet.
“There’s no injury or reinjury, he just doesn’t feel like he can push that final part at the moment. Hopefully in the coming weeks he will be [available] but it’s not going to be a long-term one.” – Eddie Howe
Jamaal Lascelles (knee), Sven Botman (knee) and Lewis Miley (back) are out long term for the Magpies, too.
Fabian Schar returns from a ban, at least.
Emil Krafth, who was forced out of Sweden’s squad for the September internationals with a minor issue, has trained and should be available.
“He has been nursing a problem [but] we have seen him in training. He missed the training towards the back-end of last week and the early sessions of this week but he’s joined in the last couple of days so we are hopeful he’ll be OK.” – Eddie Howe on Emil Krafth
There aren’t any other concerns from the international break.
“We hope so, I think there are still a few more checks to be made today. Everyone, as far as we know, has come back and is in decent shape.
“We hope Bruno is OK [after midweek involvement with Brazil], no physical ill-effects from that game.” – Eddie Howe on whether his returning internationals have come back unscathed
CRYSTAL PALACE
Oliver Glasner has passed Adam Wharton fit after the midfielder withdrew from the England under-21 squad last week.
“Yes, he will be available. He just needed last week to train individually and also have some days off to recover.
“But when we started on Tuesday this week, he had every single training session, so he’s available.” – Oliver Glasner on Adam Wharton
Jefferson Lerma also recovered from a toe injury to join his national team over the break.
There’s not such good news on Trevoh Chalobah. He was injured in his first training session with the Eagles and will miss out this weekend. Glasner doesn’t expect him to be sidelined for long, at least.
“Unfortunately Trevoh Chalobah was injured in his first session with us in his abdominal muscles, so really a strange injury.
“He’s also not available tomorrow but I think it won’t take very long. He’s questionable for QPR and Manchester United [next week] as well.” – Oliver Glasner
We now have a timeline on Chadi Riad‘s absence: he will be out for 8-12 weeks with a knee injury.
“The doctors tell us it will take eight to 12 weeks, so yes, a little bit of time. At the beginning, we all thought maybe it’s worse, but the ACL is not ruptured, so that’s important – but it will take several weeks.” – Chadi Riad
Matheus Franca (rib) remains sidelined.
FULHAM
Fulham had a clean bill of health before the international break and little has changed.
The one new casualty is Carlos Vinicius (calf), who will miss out in Gameweek 4. Given that he hadn’t made the matchday squad in any of the three previous matches, it’ll have little impact on Marco Silva’s plans.
Vinicius should be back within a fortnight.
“The same, just we have Carlos Vinicius out of the options for the next game. All the other players are going to be available.” – Marco Silva
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS
Gary O’Neil said “everybody is OK” when asked about the Wolves team news on Friday.
He did, however, say that Rayan Ait-Nouri and Mario Lemina haven’t trained much after returning early from international duty with knocks. Late checks will be made on them.
Yerson Mosquera was only cramping when being carted out of Colombia’s clash with Argentina on Tuesday, although he hasn’t trained fully since.
“I think everybody’s ok. We’ve got obviously a couple that haven’t trained much. Rayan and Mario picked up slight knocks but pretty much everyone is in a decent spot apart from those two. A couple of late checks, probably, to make sure they’re ok for the weekend.
“Yerson’s had some sort of cramp in both calves, a bit of fatigue off the back of the game. He didn’t train fully with us today, we gave him an extra day to make sure that he recovers fine, but there’s no injury. We’re hopeful the next couple of days will help him feel a little bit better and he should be good to go by the weekend.” – Gary O’Neil
Boubacar Traore (knee), Sasa Kalajdzic (knee) and Enso Gonzalez (knee) remain on the injury list.
O’Neil also discussed his dilemma between the posts.
“We thought it was important to try and improve that part of the squad. We felt the goalkeeper area could do with a little bit more competition and he’s definitely provided that. You can see there’s been an uplift in certain people in it and it’s been good for the definitely good for the group.
“Jose [Sa] will be here, I’m sure, and he’ll fight with Sam for that spot. Two excellent goalkeepers. You don’t need me to sit here and tell you about how many big saves he’s made for us over the last few years, and what he is and what he’s capable of – we know that.
“He has his opportunity to fight for the place… it’s the same as any other position. I know the goalkeeper one always feels different but it is important that every person that’s playing knows that if there is a lack of form, or if they lose focus, there’s someone knocking the door down to take their spot. Of course, Dan [Bentley] was already pushing Jose, but Sam adds to that competition. I expect Jose to stay, and I expect him to fight Sam and Dan and Kingy for the goalkeeper shirt.” – Gary O’Neil
BOURNEMOUTH
Dango Ouattara has returned from international duty with a twisted ankle and joins Tyler Adams (back) on the injury list.
Loanee Kepa Arrizabalaga can’t play, either, as he is ineligible to face his parent club.
“Mark [Travers] will start tomorrow.” – Andoni Iraola
Enes Unal (toe) has returned to training after a lengthy lay-off, so could be involved in the matchday squad.
Based on the below comments, we assume Philip Billing has also recovered from a back issue.
“I think the only players we will have out will be Tyler… and Dango, who has come injured from the national team.
“I think we will recover [David] Brooksy, he was already on the bench [in Gameweek 3] but he has trained two weeks properly. And even Enes has been this week training with us. He has a chance to be involved tomorrow.” – Andoni Iraola
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