We’ll be getting team news from at least 15 Premier League managers on Friday as we count down to Gameweek 15.
We say ‘at least’ as we don’t yet have a time for Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola. It may be that his Gameweek 15 media commitments take the form of embargoed quotes from Thursday’s post-match presser.
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 15: FRIDAY’S KEY TEAM NEWS UPDATES
- Arsenal: Gabriel + Calafiori yet to train, Arteta non-committal
- Liverpool: Alisson nearing a comeback but still not ready, Mac Allister suspended
- Manchester City: Foden + Ake sidelined, Akanji not ruled out, four others unavailable
- Chelsea: James + Fofana both weeks away, Mudryk ill, everyone else fine
- Manchester United: Mainoo + Martinez return from bans, Shaw out again
- Brighton and Hove Albion: Late decision on Welbeck, Veltman could be back
- Newcastle United: Howe on momentum vs fresh legs, Gordon + Isak tired, Botman latest
- Tottenham Hotspur: Romero set to train, Davies joins the injury list
- Aston Villa: Ramsey out, Onana could return, Emery on the schedule
- Fulham: Nelson both ineligible and injured, Lukic returns from suspension
- Leicester City: Possibly too soon for Winks, Buonanotte ineligible
- Southampton: Onuachu unlikely, Bednarek still a doubt, three back from bans
- Crystal Palace: Wharton + Riad nearing returns but game comes too soon, Kamada available
- West Ham United: No team news updates, Ings + Todibo the flagged doubts
- Ipswich Town: No major fresh concerns, Johnson + Phillips not 100%
GAMEWEEK 15: FRIDAY’S PRESS CONFERENCE TIMES
Friday's #FPL Press Conferences (GMT)
9.30am – Howe
11.30am – Postecoglou
1pm – Lopetegui
1pm – Maresca
1pm – Martin
1pm – Silva
1.15pm – Slot
1.15pm – Amorim
1.30pm – Guardiola
1.30pm – Arteta
1.30pm – van Nistelrooy
1.30pm – Glasner
… pic.twitter.com/pj4LdVoywF
— Fantasy Football Scout (@FFScout) December 6, 2024
ARSENAL
Gabriel Magalhaes and Riccardo Calafiori have yet to train with their teammates after missing out in midweek.
Mikel Arteta, predictably, didn’t offer us much of an update in Friday’s presser.
“Well, we have a few obviously. It’s matchday minus two so we have to modify a few players’ [training]. We have another training session tomorrow so we’ll see how everybody is for Sunday.
“Until we see tomorrow’s training sessions, it is very difficult to say something [about Gabriel]. The same [for Calafiori].
“It depends how they evolve in the next few days.” – Mikel Arteta
Ben White (knee) and Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee) remain out.
There was praise for Jurrien Timber, meanwhile, the third-most-bought FPL defender of Gameweek 15.
“I’m really impressed. He’s coming from a long-term injury after his ACL. We knew the talent, the leadership, the skill that he has. He’s been in great form, he gives us something very different to any other full-back that we have in the team and his impact has been tremendous, I think.” – Mikel Arteta on Jurrien Timber
LIVERPOOL
Alisson (hamstring) remains unavailable, so Caoimhin Kelleher will continue between the sticks – although seemingly not for long.
“[Alisson is] not ready yet but he will be ready very soon.” – Arne Slot
Ibrahima Konate (knee), Conor Bradley (hamstring) and Kostas Tsimikas (unknown injury) are still some distance from a return.
Diogo Jota (rib), who has been sidelined since Gameweek 8, is nearing a comeback, however.
Federico Chiesa is also close to being available after a lengthy period out. Not only is he back in training, he also built up his match fitness with a run-out for the under-21s in midweek.
“There are only three injuries left and they are in our last line, with Diogo close to being back, Federico close to being back, and the same for Alisson.
“That means that only Ibou, Conor and Kostas are a bit further away from playing time.” – Arne Slot
Alexis Mac Allister will definitely be out: he collected his fifth booking of the season on Wednesday.
MANCHESTER CITY
Phil Foden isn’t ready to return after bronchitis forced his no-show against Nottingham Forest in midweek.
Nathan Ake picked up a hamstring injury in that match and will also miss Gameweek 15.
John Stones (foot) and Mateo Kovacic (unknown) remain out, too, as do longer-term absentees Rodri (knee) and Oscar Bobb (leg).
Manuel Akanji, who came off at half-time on Wednesday, isn’t yet ruled out, however.
“[Foden] is not ready. No [timescale on that].
“Nathan is out; Manu we’ll see.
“Still [Stones and Kovacic] are out.” – Pep Guardiola
After Kevin De Bruyne‘s impressive showing in midweek, Pep Guardiola was asked if the veteran Belgian could start again on Saturday with the quick turnaround.
“We don’t have many players, so we’ll see. But yeah, it’s important he’s back. But, you know, long time every three days, three days, three days. We’ll see. We’ll see how does he react to this amount of games.” – Pep Guardiola on Kevin De Bruybe
CHELSEA
Wesley Fofana (hamstring) and Reece James (hamstring) remain “weeks” away from a return, while Mykhailo Mudryk is currently ill.
Other than that, though, the Blues are in rude health.
“[Reece James and Wesley Fofana] are slowly getting better but as we said the other day, it is a matter of weeks. They are still far.
“The only one that is still ill is Micha Mudryk.
“The rest, they are all okay.” – Enzo Maresca
Enzo Maresca was asked again about his rotation policy, having changed seven of his starting XI in midweek.
“Since we started, we’ve tried to share minutes and to change players. We did exactly the same thing against Southampton. For sure, when you change seven in the Premier League, it can be a big number.
“But they all deserved minutes. The good thing is that no matter how many players we change, you can see the identity of the team and the team doing the right things. This is the best thing.” – Enzo Maresca
Maresca reiterated his support for Robert Sanchez, too, when asked whether it was more difficult to select a first choice between the posts.
“No, no. Robert [Sanchez] is number one.” – Enzo Maresca
MANCHESTER UNITED
Kobbie Mainoo and Lisandro Martinez are back from one-match bans and are available for the clash with Nottingham Forest.
Luke Shaw will miss the game due to injury, however, having suffered a “small setback” prior to the Arsenal game in midweek.
Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof are sidelined too but the latter has at least resumed work at Carrington.
“Jonny’s still not training. Victor returned to training but is not available for tomorrow. Maybe the next game, he will be available.
“Licha and Kobbie are returning for the team so we are prepared for the game.” – Ruben Amorim
Having rotated heavily in his first few games in charge, Ruben Amorim was asked if he knew his best XI yet – and had some encouraging words for Bruno Fernandes owners.
“More or less [I am close to knowing my best line-up], yes. You have an idea, but then you have the problem of players returning without training and then you have to manage the load. So you also have the same problem.
“But then you have to imagine and understand what kind of player you have. Bruno Fernandes, you feel it, against Arsenal, in the end, he was a little bit tired, but you know he is going to recover very well. Manuel Ugarte, I’ve known for so long; I know that he needs sometimes a little bit more time.
“So we are in that process, to know the players and trying to manage that, but we’re getting closer to an idea, yes.” – Ruben Amorim on knowing his best XI
BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION
A late decision will be made on the availability of Danny Welbeck (ankle) for Sunday’s trip to Leicester. The veteran striker missed out completely in midweek.
“He trained outside, yes.
“I think so [that he will be available]. I didn’t talk to him afterwards. I think that we have to sit together with the medical team, then we have to make a decision.” – Fabian Hurzeler on Danny Welbeck
James Milner (hamstring), Adam Webster (hamstring), Solly March (knee/match fitness), Ferdi Kadioglu (toe) and Jack Hinshelwood (knee) look set to remain out, meanwhile.
Joel Veltman could be back, at least: he missed the last two games with reportedly a minor injury but had returned to training just before Gameweek 14.
“No, nothing special.” – Fabian Hurzeler on the latest team news
NEWCASTLE UNITED
Kieran Trippier will be assessed ahead of the trip to Brentford after missing out in Gameweek 14 through illness.
“Yeah, he’s improving. We’ll see today [if he returns to the squad].” – Eddie Howe on Kieran Trippier
Jamaal Lascelles (knee), Sven Botman (knee) and Emil Krafth (collarbone) remain on the sidelines for the Magpies.
Botman is now in full training, however.
“He’s doing well. So, the initial moments in training were very much passive and making sure he didn’t do too many duels, working on his technical work. But now he’s fully training, we’ve done a couple of 11 v 11s with him and he’s looked good in those 11 v 11s.
“He’s still a few weeks off playing competitively but he looks and feels good.” – Eddie Howe on Sven Botman
Eddie Howe will be one of a number of managers weighing up how many changes to make, with Gameweek 15 following hot on the heels of a midweek round of fixtures.
“That’s something we’re going to discuss at length today and try and find the right balance between change and consistency of selection.
“I think there are a few things to note, there were some tired bodies in the team after the game. Sandy [Tonali] was getting cramp with about 10-15 minutes to go. Anthony Gordon was fatigued at the end of his performance which was very, very good. Naturally, when you empty like that and you give so much to the game, there’s going to be a hit. I thought Alex worked extremely hard and he was tired at the end.
“But our job is to refuel, regroup and go again in what is another great opportunity for us.” – Eddie Howe
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Ben Davies has joined the Spurs injury list after sustaining a hamstring injury in Thursday’s loss at Bournemouth.
Guglielmo Vicario (ankle), Richarlison (hamstring), Wilson Odobert (hamstring), Micky van de Ven (hamstring) and Mikey Moore (virus) remain out, too.
Rodrigo Bentancur serves game four of a seven-match suspension, meanwhile.
Cristian Romero (toe) could potentially return on Sunday, however.
“Ben [Davies], too early again [to tell how long he’ll be out] mate, he’ll probably go for a scan today. We’re talking 10 hours after last night’s game, so we’ll find out more.
“Cuti [Romero] is due to train, we’re not doing much today but we’ll see how he goes tomorrow.” – Ange Postecoglou
Ange Postecoglou rotated Pedro Porro and Son Heung-min at the Vitality Stadium but the Spurs boss said on Friday that the shortage of fit players is hindering his ability to make wider changes.
“We know we’re really thin on the ground in terms of squad numbers, we know that you know there’s not a lot of opportunity there to rotate and rest players.
“We’ve got European games, we’ve got the Carabao Cup in there as well, so we’ve just got to try and manage and prepare the players the best we can to make sure we get the maximum performance out of it.” – Ange Postecoglou
ASTON VILLA
Jacob Ramsey (hamstring) remains sidelined but Amadou Onana (knee) could return for Saturday’s visit of Southampton.
“It’s been very difficult because we played two matches in three days, even we played against Juventus but we had, more or less, one day more to rest. And we are playing three matches, with the match tomorrow, just in the middle of another match against Leipzig on Tuesday.
“It’s the most difficult challenge we can have, playing four matches in those days.
“Today I don’t know exactly which players are available for tomorrow – some are doubts, yesterday they were in some pain and as well some were really tired.
“We are going to train now, this afternoon, but even training this afternoon, I think until tomorrow morning it’s not going to be clear for me which players will start the match.” – Unai Emery
FULHAM
Joachim Andersen (calf) and Harrison Reed (knee) remain out, while Tom Cairney serves game two of a three-match ban.
Reiss Nelson is unavailable, too. Not only is the loanee ineligible to face his parent club but he now has a hamstring injury that will also keep him out of Gameweek 16.
Sasa Lukic returns from a one-match ban, at least.
LEICESTER CITY
Odsonne Edouard has returned to training this week and is available for Sunday. He hadn’t featured since the November international break.
Ruud van Nistelrooy said the game may come too soon for Harry Winks (groin), however.
Loanee Facundo Buonanotte can’t feature, either, as his parent club is in town.
SOUTHAMPTON
It looks unlikely that Paul Onuachu (unknown injury) will return for this one, while Jan Bednarek (knee) remains a doubt: the Polish stopper was on the cusp of a return in midweek but felt some discomfort on the eve of the Chelsea game.
Adam Lallana (hamstring), Juan Larios (unknown), Aaron Ramsdale (finger), Ross Stewart (hamstring), Gavin Bazunu (Achilles) and Will Smallbone (hamstring) look set to remain sidelined, too.
To compound matters, Jack Stephens begins a four-match ban following his Gameweek 14 dismissal.
“Jan is touch and go. He was going to play on Wednesday and wasn’t quite right on Tuesday in training. We’re giving it another go and we’ll wait and see tomorrow.
“We were hopeful for Big Paul to be bac but it looks a bit unlikely so he’ll probably be the Spurs game now. But everyone else is ready and available, yeah.” – Russell Martin
There is some good news, at least.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Tyler Dibling and Flynn Downes are all back from one-match bans.
Loanee Lesley Ugochukwu is also available again after being ineligible to face his parent club on Wednesday.
CRYSTAL PALACE
Chadi Riad (knee) and Adam Wharton (groin) are nearing returns, although Gameweek 15 comes too soon for the pair.
“Adam was out for four weeks, but he trained with us. If he can train completely next week, then maybe he will be available for Brighton. We have Brighton, and then Arsenal twice, and we really hope that he’s available for those games.
“They’re going in the right direction, training with us but for both [Chadi and Adam] the game is too early. Especially for Chadi, because he has been out for three-and-a-half months now. He will play with the under-21s on Tuesday, getting his first 45 minutes in three months. He’s doing really well.” – Oliver Glasner on Chadi Riad and Adam Wharton
Daichi Kamada is back from a three-match ban, too.
Matheus Franca (groin) is the only long-term injury for the Eagles.
WEST HAM UNITED
There were no team news updates from Julen Lopetegui, who instead had to bat away multiple questions on his future.
Danny Ings picked up a knock in midweek and is one possible doubt, while Jeanclear Todibo sat out Gameweek 14 with a supposed niggle.
There is speculation that Todibo and Lopetegui clashed at half-time in the Arsenal game, however – something that the West Ham boss didn’t completely deny on Friday.
“The things that happen in the dressing room, they have to stay in the dressing room – always.
“I don’t exactly what you thought but nothing important happened.” – Julen Lopetegui on reports of a bust-up
IPSWICH TOWN
Kieran McKenna reported no new concerns going into the weekend’s clash with Bournemouth.
Axel Tuanzebe (hamstring), George Hirst (knee) and Chiedozie Ogbene (Achilles) are on the medium-to-long-term injury list.
Kalvin Phillips (ankle) and Ben Johnson (muscle) were back in the squad on Tuesday but are still “not 100%” according to McKenna. Late calls will be made on those two.
3 months, 28 days agoHope it gets postponed tbh