A busy day of press conferences is ahead: we’ll be getting Gameweek 7 team news from 14 Premier League managers on Friday.
We’ll bring you the key Fantasy Premier League (FPL) updates on this page.
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 7 guide.
GAMEWEEK 7: FRIDAY’S KEY TEAM NEWS UPDATES
- Manchester City: De Bruyne among four still out, Haaland okay
- Arsenal: Arteta’s updates on White + Timber, Tomiyasu “close”
- Tottenham Hotspur: Son “unlikely” to play, Udogie set to recover
- Liverpool: Chiesa a doubt, Slot on Darwin, Jota, early kick-offs + Gameweek 8
- Aston Villa: Bailey + Ramsey doubts, Emery more positive on Onana
- Newcastle United: Isak misses out again, Pope, Trippier + Schar should be fine
- Brighton and Hove Albion: Pedro + van Hecke still out, three in contention
- Manchester United: Fernandes available, Mainoo to be assessed, three still out
- Chelsea: James still injured, no fresh injury concerns
- Brentford: Norgaard available, Henry in training
- Crystal Palace: Franca injured again
- Bournemouth: No new injuries, Adams close to a return to full training
- Wolverhampton Wanderers: Bueno recovers, Dawson not training fully
- Nottingham Forest: Gibbs-White back from a ban, two still out
GAMEWEEK 7: FRIDAY’S PRESS CONFERENCE TIMES
Times in BST
VIDEO SUMMARY
MANCHESTER CITY
Rodri (knee) is on the long-term injury list, while Oscar Bobb (leg) and Nathan Ake (hamstring) remain sidelined.
Kevin De Bruyne (thigh) won’t recover in time to face Fulham, either.
“Except Nathan, Kevin, Rodri and Oscar, the rest are fine.” – Pep Guardiola
“For tomorrow he is not ready.” – Pep Guardiola on Kevin De Bruyne
There are no lingering concerns about Erling Haaland, who recovered from a Gameweek 6 “knock” to last an hour of Tuesday’s win over Slovan Bratislava.
“Yep.” – Pep Guardiola when asked if Erling Haaland was “okay”
ARSENAL
Martin Odegaard (ankle), Oleksandr Zinchenko (calf) and Kieran Tierney (hamstring) remain sidelined but Mikel Merino (shoulder) returned to the Arsenal squad for Tuesday’s win over Paris Saint-Germain.
“Alex [Zinchenko], probably after the international break if everything goes well. He is progressing really well.
“Martin, difficult to give a timeline.” – Mikel Arteta
Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee) could be the next Gunner back, having trained with his teammates over the last week or so.
There are also concerns over Jurrien Timber (muscle) and Ben White (groin).
White has now missed the last three competitive matches, having been restricted to a substitute role in Gameweek 5.
Timber meanwhile was hooked at half-time of the PSG game as a precautionary measure.
“We had to modify training for a lot of players. We’ve done the same today because of the load that they’ve had. It’s a decision to make this afternoon, whether to involve them: yes or no.
“Yeah, they are close, yeah. Tomiyasu as well is quite close to being involved, so good news.” – Mikel Arteta, when asked about Jurrien Timber and Ben White
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Richarlison (muscle) and Wilson Odobert (hamstring) remain out for Spurs.
There’s mixed news on Son Heung-min (hamstring) and Destiny Udogie (quad), who sat out Thursday’s UEFA Europa League tie with Ferencvaros.
Son was injured a week ago against Qarabag, while Udogie came off at half-time in Gameweek 6. The former is the biggest concern.
“First thing’s first, last night all good. The boys are fairly tired, but physically, no issues from last night’s game.
“Of the guys who stayed back… Destiny, we think will be okay. Obviously we’ve got training today and tomorrow, so he has got to get through that. Sonny unlikely, again he’s pushing hard, but I just don’t think the turnaround will be quick enough for him to be available at this stage.
“That’s it, the others are long term.” – Ange Postecoglou
Away from injuries, Dejan Kulusevski, joint-second for chances created in the Premier League this season, was praised by his manager.
“Yeah, Deki has been brilliant, out of this world in many respects, in terms of what he’s able to do in that central role. Obviously, we used him more as a wide player last year because we didn’t have too many options out there.
“When we started using him inside, he felt that it unshackled him a little bit. He has got an unbelievable capacity to run with and without the ball. His physical numbers are ridiculous. He has the quality to hurt teams with that. I think at times maybe playing out wide he felt a bit suppressed because especially in our system, there are a lot of times when you have got to hold your position and just do the thing for the team but not be involved. He’s the kind of player who wants to be involved.
“Obviously, we brought a couple of wide players in this year. I really sort of thought, ‘Let’s go with him inside’. Obviously, preseason played him as a nine because we didn’t have a nine and even there he made an impact.
“The beauty of Deki is that I think he’s sort of just getting started. I think he enjoys the role, I think he can make an impact and it just adds a different dimension to us because there aren’t many players like him.” – Ange Postecoglou on Dejan Kulusevski
LIVERPOOL
Harvey Elliott remains sidelined with a fractured foot.
Having missed out in midweek, Federico Chiesa is an ongoing concern. He sat out Wednesday’s win over Bologna with what Arne Slot said were “some problems” and he remains a doubt for Gameweek 7.
“Wait and see. He didn’t train the last two days, he came in today to see if he could train. If he can, I still have a decision to make because we can only select 20 and he hasn’t trained for a few days. But first of all, we have to wait and see if he can even train.” – Arne Slot on Federico Chiesa
Slot’s presser was more notable for tactical discussion than injury news.
Asked whether Darwin Nunez had to adapt to Liverpool or vice-versa, he said:
“It’s both. I think it’s the challenge we as staff always have to bring the best out of the individuals. We try to find different ways of positioning Darwin than Diogo [Jota] because they are not the same players. Their teammates also adjust to the player they are playing with. That’s also what I as a manager have to do and also what we are doing.
“Yes, he didn’t score in his last game because he was offside as well. When we bring him the chances, he is able to score but unfortunately, we couldn’t bring him that much in the position we want to. If I’m completely honest, which I like to be just as you journalists [are], even Diogo didn’t [score many goals]. I think the most goals we score come from our wingers until now and Diogo scored two – one when we played West Ham when he played from the No.10 position.
“So maybe it’s also for us something to look at, although we score a lot of goals, to bring our striker if it’s Diogo or Darwin even more in positions to score.” – Arne Slot
There were also quotes from the Liverpool boss on 12.30pm kick-offs and Gameweek 8.
“Because we play so many times at 12.30, people talk about 12.30. I think we have to talk about an away game and [how] that is difficult, because if 12.30 was a difficult time to perform then I’m a really stupid manager because we train every day at 12 o’clock. So, I don’t see the idea behind it being that difficult performing at that time.” – Arne Slot on early kick-offs
“The difference between this international break and the last one is this time we play a late kick-off [on] Sunday and last time we played on Saturday. So, it gives us one extra day of rest, which is always helpful, especially for the ones that come back with jet lag from South America.” – Arne Slot on Gameweek 8
ASTON VILLA
John McGinn (hamstring) remains sidelined, while long-term Villa absentees Tyrone Mings (knee) and Boubacar Kamara (knee) are targeting a return after the October internationals.
Matty Cash (hamstring) was back in the matchday squad after a month out on Wednesday, albeit as a non-playing substitute.
The win over Bayern Munich may have come at a further cost. Jacob Ramsey hobbled off in the first half with what looked like a groin injury, while Amadou Onana appeared to be feeling his hamstring when he was hooked on the hour.
Leon Bailey, a first-half substitute for Ramsey, was later subbed off himself. The Jamaica international picked up an injury in training before the Bayern game but still featured off the bench, albeit briefly.
Onana seems to be the likeliest to feature.
“Both, they are now doubts. I don’t know if they are going be available on Sunday. Tomorrow we are going to train but they are so, so tight if they are available Sunday.
“At the moment, today, they are doubts.” – Unai Emery on Jacob Ramsey and Leon Bailey
“He is a doubt but I think he will be available because it is not a really serious injury. But playing matches during the week and on weekends, we have to be clinical in our decisions [for] the next match.” – Unai Emery on Amadou Onana
NEWCASTLE UNITED
As expected, Alexander Isak (toe) will miss the trip to Everton.
Jamaal Lascelles (knee), Sven Botman (knee), Callum Wilson (back) and Lewis Miley (back) also remain unavailable for the Magpies.
Eddie Howe is hopeful that Isak will follow Wilson in being fit for Gameweek 8.
“No, unfortunately not, he won’t make the game. We hope he will be back with Callum for the game after the international break. That’s the plan at the moment, so fingers crossed both players continue to do well.” – Eddie Howe on Alexander Isak
There is positive news elsewhere.
Fabian Schar (ankle) and Martin Dubravka (knee) both hobbled out of the midweek cup win over Wimbledon, a match that Nick Pope (knee) and Kieran Trippier (muscle) also missed.
But Schar and Pope “should” be available, while there is hope for Trippier. Dubravka could miss out but his issue is also not serious.
“Yeah, [Nick Pope] should be OK. Yeah, we hope [Kieran Trippier will be fit], yeah. [Fabian Schar] should be OK.
“Martin took a nasty whack to his knee. He had a scan, the scan showed just bruising – hopefully. Whether he’s fit for this game or not, I’m not sure. But it won’t be a serious injury.” – Eddie Howe
BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION
Jan Paul van Hecke (groin), Matt O’Riley (ankle) and Joao Pedro (ankle) remain out for the Seagulls.
Fabian Hurzeler interestingly grouped the three as “long-term” injuries.
James Milner (hamstring), Brajan Gruda (unknown injury) and Solly March (knee) are all closing in on comebacks, however.
“Let’s start with the positive things. Brajan Gruda and Solly March, they trained really good this week. They might be an option for the weekend.
“The others, the long-term injuries, Matt O’Riley, Joao Pedro, JP and… I forgot someone… not James Milner, he’s also an option for this weekend.
“So, there is positive and negative news but in general we see more positive that the players come back.” – Fabian Hurzeler
Van Hecke himself suggested earlier in the week that he would be out for around six weeks.
Hurzeler didn’t offer a timeline – but did compare it to Pedro’s injury.
“I don’t know, we have to go week for week. I think that it’s not that bad, like for example the issue for Joao, but let’s see and go week for week.” – Fabian Hurzeler on Jan Paul van Hecke
Joel Veltman (illness) returns but Simon Adingra remains a doubt. The winger missed out in Gameweek 6 as a “precaution” but Hurzeler has hinted he may not be risked this weekend.
“Simon, we have to be careful. Joel will be back. Simon, we have to look how it’s going and then we have to make a decision.” – Fabian Hurzeler
Aside from injuries, Hurzeler reflected on last week’s loss at Chelsea.
“In the end, we have to learn from it, I have to learn from it, because I was a responsible person for this match plan. The match plan was not good enough and therefore I also have to learn from it. Now we try to show a reaction.
“[We have to try to beat Spurs by] trying to to defend better than against Chelsea, I think that’s the main thing, but on the other side, it’s also [about] being brave in possession. So, I think in possession we made a good game against Chelsea and we have to continue doing this, being brave with the ball, trying to bring our identity on the pitch.
“I think it’s also a priority from us to defend as whole team better, we are talking a lot about the high line. For me, it’s not a high line – it’s more like an active line. But how do we get to these moments, it’s also the responsibility from the offensive player to defend the lines [so] that the opponent can’t break the lines that easily and their players can play a ball behind our line.” – Fabian Hurzeler
MANCHESTER UNITED
Bruno Fernandes is available: he’s had his Gameweek 6 red card rescinded on appeal.
Leny Yoro (foot), Tyrell Malacia (knee) and Luke Shaw (calf) remain out for United, however.
Kobbie Mainoo will also have to be assessed ahead of the trip to Aston Villa. Mainoo limped out of Sunday’s loss to Tottenham Hotspur and, although he travelled to Portugal, wasn’t in the matchday squad to face Porto on Thursday.
He did at least train on Friday.
“So we had three players with issues going into this game: Harry Maguire, Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo. Harry Maguire and Alejandro made the squad and were capable to play some minutes, [whereas] Mainoo didn’t make it. It was too big a risk.
“We have to wait and see if [Mainoo] can play on Sunday – if he is fit enough to start or be on the bench.” – Erik ten Hag
Mason Mount didn’t travel to Portugal, having suffered a head injury and picked up a knock in Gameweek 6. We haven’t had an update on him.
CHELSEA
Enzo Maresca has confirmed there are no fresh injury concerns for Sunday’s game against Nottingham Forest.
Carney Chukwuemeka missed Thursday’s win over Gent due to illness, however.
Reece James (hamstring) and Omari Kellyman (hamstring) are the only Blues on the sidelines at present.
“Carney was in the squad [for Gent] but didn’t feel well during the night. He was ill, this is why he wasn’t in the squad.
“There is no update on the rest, everyone else is available [for Forest]. The only one who isn’t is Reece James, who is still out. The rest are available.” – Enzo Maresca
BRENTFORD
Aaron Hickey (hamstring), Igor Thiago (knee), Josh Dasilva (knee), Yoane Wissa (ankle), Gustavo Nunes (back) and Mathias Jensen (calf) remain out for the Bees.
Long-term absentee Rico Henry (knee) will not be ready to return, either, but the good news is that he’s back in training.
Christian Norgaard (minor injury) is back for this one. He missed out last weekend in what was described as a “close call” but Thomas Frank has confirmed his availability for Gameweek 7.
CRYSTAL PALACE
On the cusp of a return from a rib injury, Matheus Franca has suffered another issue – and Oliver Glasner suggests he won’t feature much again in 2024.
Chadi Riad (knee), Cheick Doucoure (toe) and Chris Richards (hamstring) remain out, meanwhile.
BOURNEMOUTH
There are no fresh injury concerns for the Cherries ahead of their trip to Leicester City.
Tyler Adams (back) is on the only player on the sidelines but even he is close to a return.
The American midfielder will return to full training during the international break.
“No, I think Tyler will not be fit for the Leicester game but he’s almost there. I think he’s going to train fully with the team in the international break. He will not be involved in the game tomorrow but apart from Tyler, everyone is available.” – Andoni Iraola
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS
Yerson Mosquera (knee), Bastien Meupiyou (unknown), Boubacar Traore (knee), Sasa Kalajdzic (knee) and Enso Gonzalez (knee) are unavailable for Wolves.
Santiago Bueno is fine, however, after he complained of tightness in his glute against Liverpool. He has trained since.
Gameweek 6 absentee Craig Dawson (illness) has been on the grass, too, but not fully according to his manager.
“Santi’s glute is okay. Daws has trained a bit this week, not full, but a bit. So yeah and apart from that, the longer-term ones of Bouba and Yerson are still out. Bastien is still out but getting closer, hopefully Bastien will train with the group some point next week or the week after.” – Gary O’Neil
NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Danilo (ankle) and Ibrahima Sangare (hamstring) are out long term for Nottingham Forest.
“Danilo is out. Ibrahim Sangare is also out. That’s enough!” – Nuno Espirito Santo
Morgan Gibbs-White back from a one-match ban, however, following his Gameweek 5 red card.
“Very important to have him back, very special player for us. His talent, the team relies on him to produce some things. It’s good to have him back, definitely.” – Nuno Espirito Santo on Morgan Gibbs-White
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