We’ll be getting team news from 16 Premier League managers on Friday as we count down to Gameweek 11.
One of them is Enzo Maresca but his press conference takes the form of embargoed comments held over from after full-time in Chelsea’s win over Noah on Thursday night.
Mikel Arteta, Arne Slot and Pep Guardiola are also facing the media.
As ever, we’ll bring you the key Fantasy Premier League (FPL) injury 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 four pressers held already, read our Thursday round-up here.
GAMEWEEK 11: FRIDAY’S KEY TEAM NEWS UPDATES
- Chelsea: Maresca says Palmer is “getting better”, Sancho a doubt
- Tottenham Hotspur: Spurs unscathed from Thursday, Romero could feature, Ange on Son
- Arsenal: Arteta “has to be vague” on Rice, Odegaard starting decision, Havertz head injury
- Manchester City: Grealish still out despite England call-up, no other returnees
- Liverpool: Jota’s return date, Slot on Robertson v Tsimikas + his striking options
- Manchester United: Amad to be assessed, three return on Thursday, Shaw trains
- Aston Villa: Barkley out, Cash unlikely, Rogers returned in midweek
- Newcastle United: Wilson + Trippier not ready to feature, no new injury issues
- Crystal Palace: Nketiah joins injury list, Eze still out, Hughes ban
- Brentford: Nunes + Thiago to get minutes over the break, Ajer still out
- Bournemouth: Kepa set to return, Sinisterra + Ouattara still out
- Wolverhampton Wanderers: Johnstone available, Hwang back in training
- Nottingham Forest: Forest team news “basically the same”, Ward-Prowse available
- Ipswich Town: Phillips banned, Greaves, Tuanzebe + Taylor to return after break
- Leicester City: De Cordova-Reid remains out, Daka won’t be rushed
- Southampton: No team news changes, likely too soon for Fraser
GAMEWEEK 11: FRIDAY’S PRESS CONFERENCE TIMES
🚨 Friday's #FPL Press Conferences Times!
🔴 9am – Slot
🍒 9am – Iraola
⚫️ 9.30am – Howe
🐓 11am – Postecoglou
😇 1pm – Martin
🐺 1pm – O'Neil
🧿 1pm – Maresca (embargoed)
👹 1.15pm – van Nistelrooy
⭕️ 1.30pm – Arteta
🔵 1.30pm – Guardiola
🌳 1.30pm – Nuno
🐝 1.30pm – Frank
🦊… pic.twitter.com/WvcExoVZxd— Fantasy Football Scout (@FFScout) November 8, 2024
CHELSEA
Cole Palmer is a slight doubt for Sunday’s clash with Arsenal after picking up a knock last weekend.
He couldn’t play in Chelsea’s clash with Noah on Thursday anyway due to not being named in the Conference League squad but he failed to train ahead of that European fixture, although Enzo Maresca did express hope that he would be fit when facing the media on Wednesday.
Speaking again after the 8-0 rout of the Armenian side (in quotes embargoed till Friday lunchtime), Maresca offered an update.
“He is better, he is getting better. If he can walk and have dinner (Palmer was spotted at Stamford Bridge on Thursday doing just that) it doesn’t mean that he is completely fit.
“He is getting better and we still have two days, tomorrow and Saturday, to prepare the game. Hopefully, we can have him for the session – at least on Saturday – and then we take a decision.” – Enzo Maresca on Cole Palmer
Palmer was, of course, also named in the England squad on Thursday.
Jadon Sancho, who was ineligible to face parent club Manchester United last week and who was ill anyway, is a concern because of a knock.
Maresca was asked about the Thursday-Sunday turnaround, meanwhile.
“At this moment, we are quite lucky we don’t have injuries, so we have 24 or 25 players available and we can choose.
“The way we have tried to do things since we started the season also means we protect players, as it’s one thing to play three matches a week and it’s another to play just one.
“We protect the players in this moment but it doesn’t mean it’s going to happen all season because also there will be a moment where we have injuries or we need to change things.
“But in this moment, we are in November, every game we change players. And fortunately also, we don’t have injuries in this moment.” – Enzo Maresca
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Richarlison (hamstring), Micky van de Ven (hamstring) and Wilson Odobert (hamstring) remain on the Spurs injury list.
“Yeah, it will be after the international break. When after, it will just be dictated by his progress during that time. The end of the international break is about four weeks, so it’ll be some time after that. When exactly, we’ll just have to wait and see.” – Ange Postecoglou on Micky van de Ven
It doesn’t sound like Timo Werner (groin) and Mikey Moore (illness) will return, either – but Cristian Romero (toe) could be back.
Spurs also got through Thursday’s defeat to Galatasaray unscathed.
“Last night, I think everyone got through it unscathed, which is good news. So everyone from last night should be okay to go.
“Cristian Romero is the one that we will just see how it goes, training today and tomorrow and we’ll make a call on him.
“Mikey unfortunately will still miss out the weekend and Timo Werner is likely to miss out as well, so really it’s only Cristian that has a possibility to come back in.” – Ange Postecoglou to Spurs’ in-house media
Postecoglou was asked about Son Heung-min‘s condition, following early withdrawals in the last two matches.
“Yeah look, like I said, for Sonny, he obviously had the injury, we brought him back and the first game back, he kind of had a relapse. What we don’t want to do is put him into that cycle, it’s very easy to fall into that cycle by pushing players, particularly when they’re coming back from injury.
“We’re just managing his minutes, building him up. He got a good 55 at the weekend, he got 45 last night. Hopefully we can continue to build that up. Ultimately for us, it’s about making sure that we get him back and keep him back because we can’t afford any more injuries in that position. We’ve already got Wilson with a long-term injury, we’ve got Richy with a long-term injury, we’ve got Mikey out now. We can’t afford to lose another player in that area of the park. I’ll always make decisions that are best for the club.” – Ange Postecoglou when asked if Son Heung-min was 100% fully fit and available to play 90 minutes
ARSENAL
More press conference vaguery from Mikel Arteta, who said that there would be late checks on Declan Rice (toe), Kai Havertz (head) and Mikel Merino (illness).
“I have to be very vague on that one because there’s no clarity whether he’s going to be fit or not for the weekend
“That’s for the doctor [whether he has a broken toe or not]. What I can say is that he hasn’t trained yet, and it’s not clear whether he’s going to be available or not to play.” – Mikel Arteta on Declan Rice
“We have to wait until tomorrow to see how they react. Kai was quite a nasty cut and he could not continue, we had to take him off. With Mikel, since the day before to be fair he wasn’t feeling great and we decided to sub him at half-time.” – Mikel Arteta on Mikel Merino and Kai Havertz
Arteta also said that he would have to assess whether Martin Odegaard (ankle) was ready for a start, following his briefest of cameos against Inter on Wednesday.
“Everybody that is in the squad is going to be fit and available to start the game. Then, it will be a decision whether it’s too early or the right moment for him to make that step again.” – Mikel Arteta on Martin Odegaard
Elsewhere, Riccardo Calafiori (knee), Kieran Tierney (hamstring) and Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee) remain out.
Loanee Raheem Sterling won’t be able to face his parent club in Gameweek 11, either.
MANCHESTER CITY
Pep Guardiola confrmed Jack Grealish (unknown injury) is still out, despite his call-up by England.
“No [he’s not available].
“A question for the manager from [England].” – Pep Guardiola
It doesn’t sound like Ruben Dias (muscle) and John Stones (foot) are going to return either.
“No, no good news. The same like I think in Lisboa. The same guys that travel, still they are there.” – Pep Guardiola
Rodri (knee) and Oscar Bobb (leg) are long-term absentees.
LIVERPOOL
Arne Slot only brought us an injury update on one player in his pre-match presser: Diogo Jota (rib).
“He will be back one or two weeks after the international break.” – Arne Slot on Diogo Jota
Alisson (hamstring), Harvey Elliott (foot) and Federico Chiesa (unknown) aren’t expected back before the November international break, either.
Ibrahima Konate has however made a very swift return from a wrist injury sustained in Gameweek 10. He started for Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday night.
Away from injuries, Slot was quizzed on his choices at left-back.
“I think my line-ups tell you what I think about this. I think we have two very good full-backs and we play many, many, many games. I think both of them need their games because it’s also a position where a lot of effort is being asked. So, if you look at the players who have played the most games, it’s mostly the centre-backs – and they don’t run the most if you compare that to full-backs or to midfielders or to wingers.
“So, there are multiple reasons why our full-backs or midfielders are sometimes rotated but it definitely also has to do with the quality of the players and the difference – at least in my opinion – between the quality of these players. For me, I have two very good left full-backs. Andy has started a lot. Kostas has started a few times. Let’s see who starts on Saturday.” – Arne Slot, when asked if there was much of a ‘gap’ between Andrew Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas
Following Luis Diaz‘s start up front in midweek, Slot also discussed his striking options.
“It depends also on the availability of the players. When we had Darwin and Diogo available we always played one of those two. The moment Diogo was no longer available and, in my opinion, because we play so many games and Darwin didn’t play in the first games, it was too much for him. So, that’s why we started to come up with other ideas.
“To be honest I liked especially the last idea, I think every Liverpool supporter did with Lucho (Diaz) scoring three goals, two as a nine and one as a winger. So, that is always interesting to see.
“But Lucho is also a very good left winger. At this moment we have got four attackers available for three positions, so we could come up with another idea again. But if Diogo comes back and Darwin is back then we have two no. 9s available again. At the beginning of the season I always chose one of these two.
“But, like I said, Lucho did really well and if was, even for me, maybe a bit of a surprise to see how well he did. Of course, I played him there for a reason, I expected him to do good but that he did so well that was even a surprise for me.” – Arne Slot on his strikers
MANCHESTER UNITED
Christian Eriksen (unknown), Mason Mount (knock/head) and Antony (ankle/foot) all returned to the United squad on Thursday evening.
Amad Diallo was the two-goal hero of that win over PAOK but will now need assessing himself.
Kobbie Mainoo (muscle) and Harry Maguire (muscle) look set to remain out, meanwhile.
Long-term absentees Luke Shaw (calf), Leny Yoro (foot) and Tyrell Malacia (knee) likely won’t be involved, either, but all three are now in training.
“Amad was assessed. We’re still working on him, to get him ready for Sunday. Hopefully, it will work.
“Kobbie is also progressing in his injury, he’s making the right steps, but is not yet with the team, though. That needs a bit more time.
“I have to say, yesterday, we had a lot of benefit from Christian [Eriksen] playing 30 minutes, obviously [Manuel] Ugarte and Mason [Mount] making his first minutes again.
“That benefited us as well. So I’m glad that they’re back and also, for a little bit longer [into the] future, good that Luke [Shaw] and Leny [Yoro] are on the pitch.” – Ruud van Nistelrooy
ASTON VILLA
We didn’t get much of a team news update from Unai Emery on Friday.
Two of Villa’s players missed out on their trip to Bruges in midweek: Ross Barkley is absent till after the international break, while it is likely that Matty Cash (calf) will be too.
Morgan Rogers, however, shrugged off a knock to start for the Villans in Belgium on Wednesday evening. He got through 66 minutes before being replaced.
The Villa website says that Youri Tielemans is expected to be available for Saturday’s trip to Liverpool.
The midfielder has not been included in Belgium’s squad for their forthcoming UEFA Nations League double-header as he manages a minor knee complaint.
NEWCASTLE UNITED
Eddie Howe confirmed that the weekend comes too soon for Callum Wilson (back) and Kieran Trippier (hamstring).
At least there are no new concerns, while Jacob Murphy (hamstring) should return.
“I don’t think we’re missing anyone new, I don’t think there’s anything new that’s developed. We’re still in the situation we’re in where we’re working to get the players back that are currently injured. I think they’re all in a decent enough place on their respective journeys back. So yeah, we’re happy.
“[Murphy] should be OK.” – Eddie Howe
Jamaal Lascelles (knee) and Sven Botman (knee) are probably out until 2025.
“Jamaal will be some time after Sven. Sven is making good progress. We hope he can begin light training with us in the next few weeks but there’s still a jump from training to playing, so we still need to be patient with him. If we see him before the end of the year, that would be a bonus, but we’re probably looking more January with him.” – Eddie Howe
Matt Targett, who has had a year on the sidelines with Achilles and hamstring injuries and an eczema flare-up, has been back in training this week.
CRYSTAL PALACE
Oliver Glasner confirmed on Friday that Eddie Nketiah has picked up a hamstring injury.
“He felt it during the [Wolves] game, something in his hamstring, but he was fighting for the team until almost the end of the game. Now he has problems with the hamstring, and let’s see how long it will take.” – Oliver Glasner on Eddie Nketiah
The striker joins Eberechi Eze (hamstring), Adam Wharton (groin), Jefferson Lerma (hamstring), Chadi Riad (knee) and Matheus Franca (groin) on the Eagles’ injury list.
Will Hughes is unavailable, too, thanks to a one-match suspension.
“We have suffered with several injuries. Let’s start with the long-term, it’s Chadi Riad and [Matheus] França. Still out.
“Then it’s Eberechi Eze, still out. Adam Wharton after his surgery is still out. Jeff Lerma, still out. Eddie Nketiah is out, hamstring injury.
“Will Hughes is suspended with his fifth yellow card, so quite a tight squad.” – Oliver Glasner
Joel Ward (unknown) and Chris Richards (hamstring) are fit, at least.
BRENTFORD
Thomas Frank isn’t expecting anyone to return for the visit of Bournemouth.
Kristoffer Ajer had been “progressing well”, the last we heard, but Frank ruled him for a “few more weeks” on Friday.
Rico Henry (knee), Igor Thiago (knee) and Gustavo Nunes (back) have all been back on the grass in some capacity recently. Henry played in a behind-closed-doors game in the October break, while the other two will get some friendly minutes next week.
Aaron Hickey (hamstring) and Josh Dasilva (knee) are long-term absentees.
BOURNEMOUTH
Luis Sinisterra (hamstring) and Dango Ouattara (abductor) are not ready to return for the trip to Brentford.
The latter is close but the Cherries will give him until after the international break to fully recover.
Bournemouth continue to be without longer-term absentee Alex Scott (knee).
Kepa Arrizabalaga (abductor), who missed the last two games, should be available, however.
“I think the only player we’ll recover is Kepa. [With] Dango and Sini, Dango is doing well but I think it’s too early for him. It’s just one week, is small, but I think it’s going to be safer to leave him to recover in the national team break. Sini’s is worse because he has tried and he has had like a small setback, so it will probably take a bit more time than Dango’s. That’s all, I think.
“[Ouattara] had a small abductor muscle injury. He’s not ready but it’s not something big. It’s very similar to Kepa’s injury. I expect him to be ready for the next game against Brighton with the proper recovery.
“Sini’s case worries me more because it’s more the hamstring. He has had previous injuries there and it’s one that will take more time I think, yes.” – Andoni Iraola
Kepa’s recovery means Andoni Iraola has a welcome selection headache between the posts after Mark Travers’ positive recent showings.
“It’s difficult for me, not just with the goalkeepers, but with every position.” – Andoni Iraola
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS
Sam Johnstone is back available. The goalkeeper had previously recovered from an adductor injury and was set to be on the bench against Crystal Palace last weekend but fell ill on the day of the game.
Hwang Hee-chan (ankle) is back in training as of Friday, meanwhile. Gary O’Neil said Wolves would “pick the right time for him to be involved”.
Young stopper Bastien Meupiyou has been back on the grass in the last week, too.
Yerson Mosquera (knee), Boubacar Traore (knee), Sasa Kalajdzic (knee) and Enso Gonzalez (knee) remain on the sidelines.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Nuno Espirito Santo says the Forest team news is “basically the same” going into Gameweek 11.
Danilo (ankle) and Ibrahima Sangare (hamstring) are long-term absentees.
Loanee James Ward-Prowse is back available this weekend; he couldn’t face his parent club last week.
IPSWICH TOWN
Chiedozie Ogbene (Achilles), Axel Tuanzebe (thumb), Jacob Greaves (hamstring) and Jack Taylor (unspecified) remain on the Ipswich injury list but all bar Ogbene – who is likely out for the season – should be back after the November international break
It’s one in, one out on the suspension front, meanwhile: Harry Clarke return from a one-match ban but Kalvin Phillips has to serve one of his own.
Kieran McKenna reported no fresh concerns, while Dara O’Shea continues to manage a back niggle.
LEICESTER CITY
Bobby De Cordova-Reid remains a doubt for the Foxes after picking up a “nasty wound” in the League Cup game at Manchester United just over a week ago.
Patson Daka is back in training after recovering from the ankle anjury he picked up in pre-season but Cooper stressed that he won’t be rushed back into action.
Hamza Choudhury (shoulder) returned to training last week, too.
Jakub Stolarczyk (ankle) is still unavailable.
SOUTHAMPTON
Russell Martin reported no fresh concerns from Gameweek 11.
Ryan Fraser (illness) is back in training but this game likely comes too soon, while Ross Stewart (hamstring), Gavin Bazunu (Achilles) and Will Smallbone (hamstring) remain out.
“No, I think it’s pretty much as is. [Fraser] has trained the last couple of days but it’s probably a bit too early for him to be back in the squad. He needs to build himself back up again. Everyone else seems to be good.” – Russell Martin
