We’ll be getting team news from 13 Premier League managers on Friday as we count down to the early Gameweek 9 deadline.
The top-flight bosses we’re expecting to hear from include Mikel Arteta, who will hopefully provide us with the latest on Bukayo Saka (£10.0m). Don’t hold your breath…
As usual, 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 seven pressers held already, read our Thursday round-up here.
GAMEWEEK 9: FRIDAY’S KEY TEAM NEWS UPDATES
- Arsenal: Saka “has done a bit of training”, Calafiori needs more tests, Saliba ban
- Tottenham Hotspur: Son “still not right” and “unlikely” to face Palace
- Manchester City: De Bruyne, Doku, Grealish + Walker all out
- Liverpool: Jota ruled out of Arsenal game, Bradley + Chiesa doubts, Alisson latest
- Newcastle United: Wilson not ready to return, no fresh concerns
- Manchester United: Ten Hag hopeful on Evans, seven could miss out
- Aston Villa: Clean bill of health, Philogene suspended
- Chelsea: No injuries reported, two returns from a ban
- Brentford: Jensen passed fit, five still out
- Wolverhampton Wanderers: Johnstone returns to training
- Crystal Palace: Glasner expects to have same squad, Doucoure only just back in training
- West Ham United: Kudus begins a ban, no word on injuries
- Bournemouth: Scott out for months after surgery, Sinisterra to miss Villa
GAMEWEEK 9: FRIDAY’S PRESS CONFERENCE TIMES
*Since the above list was posted, Enzo Maresca and Erik ten Hag have been confirmed at 1pm and 1.30pm respectively. Times in BST.
ARSENAL
Bukayo Saka (hamstring) and Jurrien Timber (muscle) have done “a bit of training” ahead of Sunday’s clash with Liverpool.
Shortly after Sky Sports News had reported no sightings of the pair on the Arsenal training ground, Mikel Arteta indulged in the standard weekly mind games.
“He’s done a bit of training on the grass, how far we can get him to Sunday, that’s a different question. We have another day which is the good thing, that this week we have an extra day. We will see.” – Mikel Arteta on Bukayo Saka
“Timber, again, it’s the first session that he could have some involvement. He’s been out for a while, we expected him to be further back from where is at the moment but again we have to wait and see.” – Mikel Arteta on Jurrien Timber
Riccardo Calafiori (knee) looks less likely to feature, however.
“He needs some more tests. Yesterday he had some, today he is going to have some more and from there we will know. Because last time as well we thought he was really bad and he ended up playing two or three days after! So let’s see how it is.” – Mikel Arteta on Riccardo Calafiori
Martin Odegaard (ankle), Kieran Tierney (hamstring) and Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee) remain out, while William Saliba serves a one-match ban.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Son Heung-min‘s comeback from injury looks set to be short-lived, with Ange Postecoglou saying his winger was “unlikely” to be fit to face Crystal Palace.
“Sonny is still not right, he’s still not feeling 100% . He won’t train today so unlikely for the weekend and we’ll see how he is beyond that.” – Ange Postecoglou
Djed Spence (groin) is expected to return to full training next week, meanwhile.
The Lilywhites at least have no other major concerns from Thursday’s win over AZ Alkmaar. Wilson Odobert (hamstring) returned as a substitute in that game.
“Last night all good, no issues last night. Obviously, a bit of fatigue with some of the boys because they haven’t played for a while. All good.” – Ange Postecoglou
Beyond injury news, there was plenty of chat about James Maddison. The playmaker was hooked at the interval in Gameweek 9, while a start with the second string on Thursday may have raised alarm bells about his game-time on Sunday.
“I think I made the point, it’s not that Madders didn’t play well [v West Ham]. I thought he actually played well in the first half, it was just a tactical change I thought was needed for the team to win.
“I understand the players obviously want to play all the time but yeah, I thought he was really good last night, I thought his leadership throughout the game was good in the way he played. He was really positive on the ball and kind of when we needed moments of creativity or discipline, he was there.
“Look, he’s a vice-captain, he’s one of our leaders and last night I thought he really stood up and played well – but I thought he played well at the weekend, too.” – Ange Postecoglou on James Maddison
MANCHESTER CITY
Kevin De Bruyne (thigh), Kyle Walker (knee), Jack Grealish (unknown) and Jeremy Doku (unknown) will all miss the visit of Southampton on Saturday.
“No, not yet.” – Pep Guardiola when asked if he had any hope of Kevin De Bruyne or Kyle Walker returning this weekend
“I don’t know.
“Hopefully he can come back soon but I don’t know yet. I would like to tell you but I don’t know.” – Pep Guardiola on when Kevin De Bruyne
“No.” – Pep Guardiola on whether Jeremy Doku or Jack Grealish will be fit
Rodri (knee) and Oscar Bobb (leg) are also long-term absentees, of course.
As well as injury news, Pep Guardiola was asked about Phil Foden‘s form in Friday’s presser.
“I’m not concerned at all about how far he is [from the Foden of last season] because I know that when he is fine, he will get it. He’s a natural talent, he will get it. The first goal against Sparta Praha defined a little bit Phil’s incredible talent, to have solved the game for himself.
“But in a career of many, many years – already Phil has many, many years – you have these bumps, ups and downs a little bit. Try to reduce these short setbacks as quickly as possible. They are human beings. Be patient, let them feel that, these types of players in these types of moments, we are there. Everything is going well.
“Sooner or later… I’m happy to hear that he feels good because in the end, it depends on himself.” – Pep Guardiola on Phil Foden
LIVERPOOL
Diogo Jota will miss the trip to Arsenal this weekend with the rib injury he picked up in Gameweek 8.
Federico Chiesa and Conor Bradley (both unspecified injuries) are doubts for Sunday’s match, too.
“I think they feel good but not when it comes to playing for us during the weekend.
“Federico might train with us today or tomorrow – but Diogo definitely not. And Conor Bradley, let’s see if he can be with us tomorrow.” – Arne Slot
Alisson (hamstring) and Harvey Elliott (foot) remain sidelined.
“He’s progressing well, like we expect, but it’s not a short-term recovery.
“It’s always difficult to judge him. I think the best way to judge an injury is in the end of an injury, the end phase of his rehab, and he’s not there yet.
“So, I can’t tell you how much longer he will be out but don’t expect him to be in against Brighton in the cup or next week.” – Arne Slot on Alisson
The turnaround between midweek European fixture and weekend Premier League game may influence Slot’s Gameweek 9 team selection but the Liverpool boss was quick to point out the extra day of recovery that the Sunday staging allows.
“That’s part of our lives, that’s also what the players are used to if they play Champions League or, like last season, the Europa League. You know that these challenges are there, you know also that they are experienced in this: how to take care of their body, what to do immediately after the game and the days after to prepare yourself in the best possible way.
“We had three days in between, so that’s more than we had before the Leipzig game, it’s also more than we have for the Brighton game. Unfortunately for us, all these three games, we have one day less in recovery than the three teams we face. But that is also part of a season and part of our lives and I think these players are experienced enough, and they get the help of a fantastic staff, to be in the best possible way, physically prepared for that game. It’s my job also to prepare them in a tactical way as well.” – Arne Slot on the congested schedule
NEWCASTLE UNITED
Callum Wilson (back) – who hasn’t featured this season – had been on the cusp of a return but in one of the least surprising team news updates of the day, the striker’s recovery has stalled.
He’ll not be back before Gameweek 11.
“We’re going to lose Callum for the next three games definitely, he’s just had some tightness in his body. He hasn’t felt like he could kick on to that last part that he needed. He had trained with us and had looked really good but with Callum we’re hypersensitive, and he’s hypersensitive, to any reaction to the work.
“He’s got no injury as such, it’s just he’s not ready to come back yet.” – Eddie Howe on Callum Wilson
Elsewhere, Kieran Trippier (hamstring), Jamaal Lascelles (knee) and Sven Botman (knee) remain on the sidelines. Trippier should be back after the next international break, according to Howe.
Matt Targett also hasn’t been spotted since an eczema flare-up in late September.
Martin Dubravka (knee) has been seen back on the grass, however, while the Magpies have no new worries.
“I don’t think we have any fresh problems. Dan Burn was nursing an ankle last week but he managed to play the game, of course, and played well. No, I think we’re pretty good.” – Eddie Howe
MANCHESTER UNITED
Kobbie Mainoo (muscle), Harry Maguire (muscle), Leny Yoro (foot), Tyrell Malacia (knee), Luke Shaw (calf) and Mason Mount (knock/head) look set to miss out again.
Jonny Evans could be back after missing out on Thursday’s draw with Fenerbahce, however. Bruno Fernandes wasn’t involved in Turkey due to suspension.
“We expect of course Bruno back [from suspension] and hopefully also Jonny Evans.” – Erik ten Hag
Antony was a casualty of that midweek UEFA Europa League match. Only on as a late substitute, he was stretchered off and later sighted on crutches and in a protective boot.
“I haven’t seen it, it’s only what I have to tell you out of the second hand, so from the doctor and the physio, who told me what they saw.
“So, first, I have to see the video before I can give comment on this.” – Erik ten Hag on Antony
ASTON VILLA
Villa have a clean bill of health for the visit of Bournemouth.
Jaden Philogene misses Gameweek 9 through suspension, however.
“All the players are ready except for Jaden, who is suspended. Two young players are playing with the under-21s today, Lamare Bogarde and Sil Swinkels.
“The other players are training every day with us, they are available and in the squad.” – Unai Emery
CHELSEA
We haven’t had any team news from Enzo Maresca so far but we’re not aware of any injury issues affecting the Blues.
Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana return from bans.
BRENTFORD
Mathias Jensen (calf) will return to the Bees’ squad this weekend.
“He will be involved in the squad, which is very positive. He has trained all week and looks good.” – Thomas Frank on Mathias Jensen
Rico Henry (knee), Igor Thiago (knee), Gustavo Nunes (back), Aaron Hickey (hamstring) and Josh Dasilva (knee) remain out – although the first three are getting closer.
“Rico is getting closer, but not close enough [for Ipswich]. I don’t know if cautious is the right word, but we want to get it right. When a player has been out for a long time, you want to be sure when you put him on the pitch that he is ready.
“I’d love to say something now, but it’s better for me to come to a future press conference and say: ‘Tomorrow, Rico is available.’”
“Both [Thiago and Nunes] are running around on the pitch, but not with the team. That’s positive.” – Thomas Frank
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS
Gary O’Neil said on Friday that Sam Johnstone has trained “quite a bit” this week, having missed Gameweek 8 with a minor adductor injury.
The Wolves boss says he is “really clear” on which goalkeeper will start at Brighton.
Hwang Hee-chan (ankle), Yerson Mosquera (knee), Boubacar Traore (knee), Sasa Kalajdzic (knee) and Enso Gonzalez (knee) remain out.
CRYSTAL PALACE
Oliver Glasner expects to have the same squad available to him as last weekend.
Cheick Doucoure (toe) has only had one training session with his teammates, so looks set to miss out again.
Chadi Riad (knee), Chris Richards (hamstring) and Matheus Franca (groin) remain sidelined.
WEST HAM UNITED
Mohammed Kudus begins a three-match ban following his dismissal for violent conduct last weekend.
There was nothing from Julen Lopetegui in terms of fitness updates but Niclas Fullkrug (Achilles) is thought to remain on the injury list.
BOURNEMOUTH
Alex Scott underwent surgery on Thursday to repair a meniscus injury sustained earlier this week. The midfielder will face months on the sidelines as a result.
“Definitely more than six weeks, six weeks was probably if they removed the meniscus. If they repair it, you have to wait more. Now he has to have some time without doing anything, so it will be more – but I don’t know how much.” – Andoni Iraola on Alex Scott
Luis Sinisterra won’t make the trip to Aston Villa, either, but should be back within a week or two.
“Sini is not going to travel, it’s nothing big but he was with some issues after the game against Arsenal. Probably he will be available next week, if not [Manchester] City it’s going to be Brentford.” – Andoni Iraola on Luis Sinisterra
