The 14 remaining pre-Gameweek 5 press conferences will take place on Friday – and we’ll be bringing you the key Fantasy Premier League (FPL) team news here.
The latest on Alexander Isak (£8.4m) and Joao Pedro (£5.7m) will be keenly anticipated by Fantasy managers in particular.
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 six 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 5 guide.
KEY TEAM NEWS UPDATES FROM FRIDAY
- Newcastle United: Late fitness test for Isak, Wilson out until after the next intl break
- Brighton and Hove Albion: Pedro trains but a late call will be made
- Liverpool: Alisson a doubt with a muscle injury, Slot on Darwin v Jota
- Manchester City: Pep unsure about De Bruyne + discusses Foden
- Aston Villa: Watkins fit, Mings + Buendia in training, Philogene out
- Chelsea: Gusto still out, no return date for James, Enzo recovers, Nkunku v Jackson
- Arsenal: No new concerns, at least four still out, no timeline on Odegaard
- Tottenham Hotspur: Richarlison still out, Bissouma trains, “doesn’t look good for Odobert”
- Crystal Palace: Chalobah + Franca back for GW6, Doucoure out for weeks
- Brentford: Wissa out for two months, several others still sidelined
- Wolverhampton Wanderers: Ait-Nouri + Toti to be assessed
- Bournemouth: Adams still out, Ouattara a doubt, Kepa returns
- Fulham: Vinicius still out, everyone else available
- Nottingham Forest: Danilo + Sangare out, Boly close to returning
FRIDAY’S PRESS CONFERENCE TIMES
*Mikel Arteta was later added to the list
VIDEO ROUND-UP
NEWCASTLE UNITED
Alexander Isak faces a late check to see if he can feature against Fulham this weekend.
It’s not just the eye injury he suffered at Molineux that’s led to the doubt, however. The Swedish striker has a separate toe problem, which renders him a concern for Gameweek 5.
“Good question, I’ll find out more today.
“It was a strange one with his eye, the ball just grazed his eye and we felt at that time that was the main reason for him coming off the pitch.
“Then he had a knock to his foot as well, so he’s got sort of combination of the two. We’ll make a decision today.” – Eddie Howe on whether Alexander Isak will be available
There’s still no Callum Wilson (back), either. He’ll now be out until after the October international break.
“I think we’re looking with Callum to be [fit after] the next international break. We hope to have him back in full training, ready for the games following.” – Eddie Howe
If Isak doesn’t make it, it’ll either be Will Osula or – more likely – Anthony Gordon up top in west London.
“That leaves Anthony [Gordon], who did a really good job for us against Wolves, and Will Osula, who has done really well since he’s been with us. I know he hasn’t played any minutes yet but we’ve been delighted with his progress.” – Eddie Howe on his striking options
Jamaal Lascelles (knee), Sven Botman (knee) and Lewis Miley (back) also remain out for the Magpies.
BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION
Joao Pedro is back in training for Brighton but the Seagulls will still have to make a late call on his involvement this weekend.
Pedro returned from international duty with an unspecified minor issue, missing the last two matches in league and cup.
Fabian Hurzeler said after Wednesday’s cup tie that Pedro had trained that day. Further training will follow today.
“He will train today with the team and then we have to see how it’s going – if he can train fully, if he can do all the movements. Of course, we won’t take any risks but he will be part of the training today.” – Fabian Hurzeler on Joao Pedro
Matt O’Riley (ankle), James Milner (hamstring) and Brajan Gruda (unknown injury) remain out, while Solly March (knee) is on the grass but working his way back from a long-term lay-off.
“The rehab players continue their rehab pretty good.
“Gruda is back on the pitch, I think he will also be returning in the next few days to the team training.
“Matt O’Riley is in very good shape, he’s also trying to train already in the gym doing different stuff.
“James Milner, his process is doing good.” – Fabian Hurzeler
Mats Wieffer was back in the squad in midweek after his recent absence.
LIVERPOOL
Arne Slot will check on the availability of Alisson (muscle) ahead of Bournemouth’s visit.
The Brazilian goalkeeper missed training on Thursday and will be assessed to see if he can return to the grass on Friday.
“Alisson is still a doubt if he can train today, so let’s wait [to see] if he can train. Then, if he can’t, then he will probably not play as well, so we have to wait and see.
“He has a slight issue with one of his muscles and we wonder if this game tomorrow is coming too early or not.
“I think he did not take it from the Milan game, it happened a bit before, but after the Milan game he felt more and more.
“Now we have to wait see if he is ready to be in goal tomorrow, or we have to wait a few more extra days.” – Arne Slot
Other than existing absentee Harvey Elliott (foot), there are no other concerns.
“Apart from Harvey Elliott [there are no other injuries].” – Arne Slot
Elsewhere in the presser, Slot was asked about Darwin Nunez‘s lack of starts.
“Same like all the others. Work really hard and then the goals will come. I think that’s also what he did when he came in against AC Milan. First of all, you come in for the team and then as a result of that, attackers score goals or assist and that’s also what happened to Cody [Gakpo]. But it happened before with Lucho [Luis Diaz] and with Mo [Salah] and with Diogo [Jota]. If you play in a team like Liverpool, you will always score your goals or get your assists.
“For me, it’s mainly about the work we do without the ball and that they can score goals and assist, I know. That’s the same with Darwin. He will get his chance in the near future. We play a lot of games and I think he’s fitter and fitter now, understands day by day better what we expect from him. But he’s in competition with Diogo, who in my and our opinion, has done really well in the last games.
“I think [Darwin] came back with a lot of confidence from the Copa America. [He] scored some good goals. Darwin always has confidence and he has every right to have this confidence because everywhere he played he always scored goals. As a striker sometimes you have a few games that you don’t score and then all of a sudden you score a lot. As long as he brings his work rate in for the team and we bring him enough in positions, I’m 100 per cent sure he or Diogo or one of the others will score goals.” – Arne Slot on what Darwin Nunez needs to do to get a starting opportunity
MANCHESTER CITY
Pep Guardiola says he doesn’t know yet whether Kevin De Bruyne will be fit enough to face Arsenal on Sunday.
The Belgian came off at half-time against Inter on Wednesday with a reported groin injury.
“He feels today a little bit better, but not yet. Two days off, tomorrow training and we will see.
“Could be [involved].” – Pep Guardiola on Kevin De Bruyne
Oscar Bobb (leg) and Nathan Ake (hamstring) are definitely out for the reigning champions.
Aside from injury news, Guardiola was asked if Phil Foden benefitted from a lack of international action in September.
“Every player needs a break, a rest. He had some disturbances in the last weeks but he played a good 45 minutes the last game. He was the best player in the league last season so of course, we need him to make competition and fight with the other midfield players, the other wingers. It’s important he’s back, and he’s played good minutes.
“Unfortunately, in the final decision he was not a little more calm to take it. But his intensity, his pressing, his movements in the small pockets, he is one of the best in the world. You can imagine how pleased I am that he’s back.
“Yeah, I think [he’s ready to play 90 minutes].” – Pep Guardiola on Phil Foden
ASTON VILLA
Unai Emery had already eased fears about Ollie Watkins after Aston Villa’s 3-0 victory over BSC Young Boys on Tuesday.
The striker was hooked on the hour and was later seen on the touchline with ice strapped to his ankle.
Emery followed up Tuesday’s reassuring comments by confirming Watkins is fit for Gameweek 5.
“He’s available 100 per cent to play. He had some problems, like other players, but not relevant I think.
“He is, of course, sometimes stopping because we have to protect the players. But now he is completely 100 per cent. He’s now available tomorrow, 100 per cent well.” – Unai Emery on Ollie Watkins
Jaden Philogene has joined the injury list, however,
Tyrone Mings (knee) and Boubacar Kamara (knee) have been said list for a long time now but are nearing comebacks.
“Kamara and Mings are training every day now consistently with the team, they started this week.” – Unai Emery
Matty Cash should be nearing a return from a hamstring injury that was expected to keep him out for 3-4 weeks.
CHELSEA
Malo Gusto (thigh) and Romeo Lavia (hamstring) were pictured back in training earlier this week but the game comes too soon for the former.
There was no mention of Lavia in the players returning, so the midfielder may not be ready either.
Reece James (hamstring) and Omari Kellyman (hamstring) remain sidelined, too.
Enzo Fernandez and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall have recovered from illness to feature, however.
“Enzo is back, Kiernan is back and Reece is still out.
“[Reece’s] injury is a bit delayed but the most important thing for any injury is that they come back when they’re 100% fit. Reece is still out.” – Enzo Maresca
There was more praise for Jadon Sancho, who was bright off the bench in Gameweek 4.
“Since he arrived here, he’s working hard, working good, on the ball and off the ball. We used the international break to focus a little bit more on him so yeah, he’s doing well.” – Enzo Maresca on Jadon Sancho
Christopher Nkunku also emerged as a substitute to score the winner at Bournemouth a week ago and Enzo Maresca was asked about the Frenchman’s possible challenge to Nicolas Jackson.
“We used Christo as a nine in the last game in the last 10 minutes. He is completely different to Nicolas in terms of quality skills, they are completely different. Nico is a number nine, Christo is not a real number nine, it’s more… we can use him as a nine but in a different way.
“We can use Christo as a nine, Christo in the pocket. He doesn’t like to play wide, he prefers to be inside, more in the centre of the pitch. We know that but sometimes for balance… sometimes they have to play in a position that is not the best one for them. Christo play against City in the first game of the season in a wider area as a winger but the important thing is they adapt and they try to be at their best.” – Enzo Maresca
ARSENAL
After a Thursday night Champions League game and an early-morning flight back from Italy, there was no ‘proper’ pre-Gameweek 5 press conference from Mikel Arteta.
Instead, the Arsenal boss faced a couple of journalists in a more intimate setting – and reported no fresh concerns from Atalanta.
“Not really [any fresh injuries]. Straight away after the match, recover, sleep, eat well.” – Mikel Arteta
Riccardo Calafiori and Bukayo Saka both featured in Italy after shrugging off minor injuries.
Martin Odegaard (ankle), Mikel Merino (shoulder), Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee) and Kieran Tierney (hamstring) remain out, while Oleksandr Zinchenko has missed the last two matches with a calf issue.
“No [updated timeline on Odegaard]. Especially we need to see the development in the next week or so, how the ankle reacts first of all. And then Zafar [Iqbal, Head of Sports Medicine] will give me an update and a timeframe of how long he can be out for.” – Mikel Arteta on Martin Odegaard
Declan Rice returns from a domestic suspension following his Gameweek 3 red card.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Wilson Odobert (hamstring) has joined the Spurs injury list, which still contains Richarlison (muscle) and Will Lankshear (hamstring).
Odobert came off early in the midweek cup win over Coventry and looks set to be missing for a while.
Yves Bissouma (minor injury) has trained and “should” be available, however.
Timo Werner, who also hobbled off at Coventry, is also fine.
“Wilson, it doesn’t look good. We’re still waiting for it to settle down to get all the information but he’ll definitely be out for the next period.
“Bissouma trained today so he should be available for tomorrow. Timo was okay. He recovered okay. Everyone else… is good.
“[Richarlison] is a fair way off. I think you should stop asking me about him until I give you a bit of an update because we’re doing it on a weekly basis. He’s still not training with the first team, so he’s still a bit off.” – Ange Postecoglou
CRYSTAL PALACE
Matheus Franca (rib) and Trevoh Chalobah (abdominal) are nearing returns but are aiming for Gameweek 6 comebacks rather than this weekend.
Cheick Doucoure, who sustained a toe problem in Gameweek 4, joins them on the injury list. He has been ruled out for “weeks”.
Chadi Riad (knee) is out for at least another two months.
“[Chalobah] is progressing but he’s not available tomorrow. He did parts of the training session today, we expect him back with the team next week. The same with França, [his recovery] has gone a bit quicker than expected. He did training Wednesday and today with the team. It’s still a little bit too early [for him to play]; he will train with us the next week and he’s coming back.
“It’s just Chadi Riad and, unfortunately, Cheick Doucouré. He has something with the tendon on the toe. We will miss him for several weeks. The tendon has to heal, so it will take a little bit [of time]. A bad situation for him, but he will be back in a few weeks. All the others are available.
“Of course, [Doucouré] was sad, but he had a lot pain during the [Leicester] game and after the game, and now we, and him as well, are pleased that it’s not so serious because it was so painful. There was a worry it was a very serious injury. It’s not – it’s… several weeks. He was out for eight months, so several weeks is a short period. He’s already working for his comeback.” – Oliver Glasner
BRENTFORD
We’ve not seen much new on the injury front from Thomas Frank but the Brentford boss already told us that Yoane Wissa (ankle) would be out for two months at least.
Aaron Hickey (hamstring), Igor Thiago (knee) and Josh Dasilva (knee) remain out for Brentford, while Rico Henry‘s recovery was set back because of a knock in training over the international break. He hasn’t featured in league or cup since.
Mathias Jensen (calf) and Gustavo Nunes (back) may not return before the October international break.
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS
Rayan Ait-Nouri (ankle) and Toti Gomes (hamstring) missed out on the midweek cup defeat to Brighton and will have to be assessed ahead of Gameweek 5.
Gary O’Neil had previously said that Toti should be fit for the Aston Villa game.
“We need to check on Toti and Rayan today in training to see how they go. Neither of them has done too much his week so they’ve both still got a bit to do to make sure they’re available for tomorrow.” – Gary O’Neil
Yerson Mosquera (calf) had also been absent at the Amex but appears to be fine.
“I think the rest [are OK].
“A few tired bodies off the back of quite a high-intensity game on Wednesday but injury-wise, apart from Rayan and Toti, who unfortunately both play in the same position, we’re fine.” – Gary O’Neil
Bastien Meupiyou (unknown), Boubacar Traore (knee), Sasa Kalajdzic (knee) and Enso Gonzalez (knee) remain on the injury list.
O’Neil said on Friday that Traore will be out until Christmas.
BOURNEMOUTH
Tyler Adams (back) is the only Cherry on the long-term injury list.
Dango Ouattara, who came back from international duty with a twisted ankle, remains a doubt.
“The only one out 100% is Tyler. The only one that I want to see if can be available is Dango. Dango is probably too early but has normally very good recoveries. We will see today.”
“He’s the only one we will probably have to assess today and decide but everyone else is available.” – Andoni Iraola
Loanee Kepa Arrizabalaga is available for selection after being ineligible to feature in Gameweek 4.
FULHAM
The Fulham team news is pretty identical to Gameweek 4, with Carlos Vinicius (calf) the only absentee.
“Not really changed from the last games. Carlos Vinicius is still out, probably is going to start running outside from next week. All the other players, they are going to be available.” – Marco Silva
NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Forest’s team news is pretty much unchanged from last week.
Danilo (ankle) and Ibrahima Sangare (hamstring) are out longer term for the Tricky Trees.
Willy Boly (calf) is “really close” to a recovery, according to Nuno Espirito Santo. He has missed the last two in league and cup since returning from international duty injured.
