There’ll be some big Double Gameweek 25 team news to come on Friday as 13 Premier League managers face 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 – so keep refreshing for the latest news.
For the headlines from the seven press conferences held already, read our Thursday round-up here.
GAMEWEEK 25: FRIDAY’S KEY TEAM NEWS UPDATES
- Liverpool: Gakpo a “bit of a doubt”, Jones suspended, Gomez out, Slot on Trent
- Aston Villa: Watkins + Mings available, five ruled out
- Arsenal: Havertz out for the season, Martinelli out, White available, Saka latest
- Manchester City: Akanji out for 8-10 weeks, Grealish a doubt
- Newcastle United: Gordon “should be fine”, positive news on Burn + Botman scans
- Tottenham Hotspur: Vicario, Maddison + Udogie return, wingers close, 2-3 weeks for others
- Bournemouth: Sinisterra + Scott “have a chance”, no availability update from Iraola on Kluivert
- Crystal Palace: Eze, Sarr + Nketiah passed fit
- Brentford: Flekken available, Henry + Hickey still out
- Everton: Ndiaye knee injury set to keep him out for “weeks”, Doucoure banned
- Manchester United: Amorim hints at injury + illness concerns without naming names
- Fulham: Tete, Wilson + Nelson still out, no fresh concerns
- Wolverhampton Wanderers: Strand Larsen to train tomorrow, Hwang out
GAMEWEEK 25: FRIDAY’S PRESS CONFERENCE TIMES
🚨 Friday's #FPL Press Conferences (GMT)
🔴 9am – Slot
⭕️ 9.30am – Arteta
⚫️ 9.30am – Howe
🍬 10am – Moyes
🔵 12.30pm – Guardiola
🍒 1pm – Iraola
🐓 1pm – Postecoglou
🐝 1.30pm – Frank
🦅 1.30pm – Glasner
⬜️ 1.30pm – Silva
👹 1.30pm – Amorim
🐺 1.30pm – Pereira
🟣 2pm – Emery pic.twitter.com/vOXQECQNM5— Fantasy Football Scout (@FFScout) February 14, 2025
LIVERPOOL
Cody Gakpo (knock) is a “bit of a doubt” after injury enforced his substitution in the midweek Merseyside derby.
The concern increased when Sky Sports News reported that Gakpo was not involved in team training on Friday afternoon.
Joe Gomez (hamstring) and Tyler Morton (shoulder) are definitely sidelined, too.
The Reds will be missing another player at Anfield on Sunday: Curtis Jones was sent off for two bookable offences in the midweek Merseyside derby.
He’ll be available for the second Double Gameweek 25 fixture against Aston Villa, however.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (thigh) returned to action in the draw with Everton, getting the final 30 minutes as a substitute. Arne Slot said this was the plan all along.
“We saw Trent of course being able to play… it was the intention to play around half an hour. I think he played somewhere around half an hour. So, he will be training with us again.
“Joe Gomez is out and Tyler Morton is out, I think those are the only two. We were off yesterday so I don’t know exactly the news.
“Cody is a bit of a doubt as well so let’s wait how he is today. I had to take him off because of an injury, because he got a knock, so let’s see how he is today.” – Arne Slot
“He is out then for one game and then next Wednesday there is a game and then Sunday there is a game again.
“He comes back from an injury, so he missed already a few games. I was planning to start him against Plymouth but he wasn’t completely recovered yet. I liked him a lot when he came in [against Everton]; a very good half hour. I think it was the best part of our game after we made the substitutions. That was the only part of the game where I felt a bit of comfort and a bit of, ‘Maybe this feels like a bit of control…’. I didn’t think we controlled the game or whatever, but [it was] maybe the most we controlled the game. Maybe because of that we went 2-1 up and afterwards I felt maybe we could have defended that lead.” – Arne Slot on Curtis Jones
ASTON VILLA
Ollie Watkins (groin) and Tyrone Mings (knee) are available for Aston Villa’s clash with Ipswich Town on Saturday.
Matty Cash (muscle), Pau Torres (foot), Ezri Konsa (muscle), Amadou Onana (unknown) and Ross Barkley (calf) are out, however.
“Still being out for tomorrow: Cash, Pau, Konsa, Onana and Barkley.
“They have trained this morning with the group and they are in the squad: Mings and Ollie Watkins.” – Unai Emery
ARSENAL
Kai Havertz is out for the season with a hamstring injury he picked up in a warm-weather training camp in Dubai.
“We can confirm that Kai Havertz has sustained a hamstring injury during a training session in Dubai last week.
“Subsequent assessments and specialist reviews have confirmed that the injury will require surgery, which will take place in the coming days. Soon after surgery, Kai will begin his recovery and rehabilitation programme, which is expected to extend into pre-season preparations for next season.” – Arsenal club statement
Already without Gabriel Jesus (knee) and Bukayo Saka (hamstring), Mikel Arteta also lost Gabriel Martinelli to a hamstring injury in the cup defeat to Newcastle United a week ago. Arteta hasn’t confirmed a timeline for Martinelli but reports suggest he could be out for more than a month.
“It’s too early, he’s still in the very early stage of the rehab. When we get a little bit closer and he starts to do more demanding stuff and [take on] more load, we will see where he is.” – Mikel Arteta on Bukayo Saka
“You don’t have to be very creative with the options that we have, I’m sure you’re going to get it right!” – Mikel Arteta, when asked what his front three will look like
“Obviously now in terms of the minutes and availability we have of players, other players are going to have more exposure and certainly Raz will be one of them.” – Mikel Arteta on Raheem Sterling
“I think it’s [more about] when, I think it’s in there as [a possibility] more than a necessity. He has that real quality. He’s been playing as an attacking midfielder and on the right wing and I think he’s been really good in that position, so that’s fine.” – Mikel Arteta on whether Ethan Nwaneri could lead the line
At the back, Ben White (knee) and Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee) have been on the sidelines for some time. Tomiyasu looks set to stay there amid suggestions he needs further surgery but White is available.
“Ben has been training more regularly now, we have to still manage a lot his load but he’s going to be available, yes.” – Mikel Arteta on Ben White
MANCHESTER CITY
Jack Grealish and Manuel Akanji both picked up muscle injuries against Real Madrid in midweek, the former lasting only half an hour and the latter coming off at half-time.
The news is bad for Akanji, while Grealish has avoided serious injury but remains a doubt for Gameweek 25.
“Surgery on Saturday, 8-10 weeks out.” – Pep Guardiola on Manuel Akanji
“Probably right now it is not as tough like Manuel has done but I don’t know if tomorrow will be ready. I don’t think so but we’ll see, we’ll assess the next hours.” – Pep Guardiola on Jack Grealish
Rodri (knee) and Oscar Bobb (leg/ankle) are also on the sidelines. Bobb had returned to training after a lengthy lay-off but reportedly suffered a minor ankle issue that has delayed a playing comeback.
Ruben Dias, Nathan Ake and Jeremy Doku all returned to fitness over the last week.
Nico Gonzalez came off early in the cup tie against Leyton Orient with a knock and while he made a swift return to the squad on Tuesday, Pep Guardiola suggests he is still not 100%.
“He had a little pain, especially against Madrid he was still not fully, fully fit. Day by day he is getting better.” – Pep Guardiola on Nico Gonzalez
NEWCASTLE UNITED
There’s good news on Anthony Gordon, who has trained this week after missing the cup tie against Birmingham City with a minor quad issue.
“Anthony should be fine, he’s trained this week no problems.
“It was a thigh problem but he responded well to treatment over the weekend and has trained well.” – Eddie Howe on Anthony Gordon
The updates on Dan Burn (groin) and Sven Botman (knee) are relatively positive, too.
Burn hobbled out of that Birmingham game a week ago, while Botman missed that match with a “knock” he sustained in the EFL Cup semi-final victory over Arsenal.
Botman is a big doubt for Gameweek 25 but Burn could yet feature and neither player is seriously injured.
“Good news on the scan that he had after the injury, we don’t think there’s any long-term issue there. Short term there’s still a bit of pain for him, so we think he’ll miss this weekend but hopefully, he won’t be far away for the following games.” – Eddie Howe on Sven Botman
“The initial look on Dan wasn’t positive but he again had a scan. The scan was good. He’s improved a lot very quickly this week so he’ll be very close this weekend.” – Eddie Howe on Dan Burn
Jamaal Lascelles (knee) and Joelinton (knee) remain out, while the trip to Manchester City may come too soon for Harvey Barnes (thigh).
“We hope by [the Carabao Cup final], [Joelinton] will be back fit and available. He is making good progress.
“Joe, when he approaches his injury recovery, is very positive, very driven to get back and shave time off the estimated target that he is given, which is a great thing but also we need to control that and make sure that he comes back in a really good place. He is very positive at the moment.”
“[Harvey is] not far, he’s doing really well. I am really pleased with how he has looked, so he’s another player that is close to being in contention.” – Eddie Howe
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Guglielmo Vicario (ankle), James Maddison (calf) and Destiny Udogie (hamstring) look set to be available for selection this weekend.
“Some of the lads who have been out for quite a while look like they’re in a good place now. Had a good week of training.
“Vic is probably the one who has come back ahead of schedule. He’s been training really well away from the team for maybe two weeks. In the last 10 days he’s integrated back into the team and is fully into training, so he’s in a good place, which means he becomes available for us.
“Madders also is a little bit ahead of schedule but he’s feeling really good. He’s had a good week of training. We were thinking maybe next week for him but he’s trained really well all week, and he’s had the least amount of time out, so he’s looking in a good place.
“Some of the longer-term one, Destiny is back in team training as well, which is good. He’s ticked all the boxes in terms of getting through his rehab and conditioning, so he’s part of the squad.” – Ange Postecoglou
There’s good news on wingers Wilson Odobert (hamstring), Brennan Johnson (calf) and Timo Werner (hamstring), too.
“Wilson’s back, which is brilliant for him because he’s been out the longest and it’s been a long road for him to get back, but again he’s back in team training. Obviously, he’s missed more football than the others, so we’ll see when we reintegrate him back into matchdays, but definitely looking good in training.
“Brennan is progressing well. Again, he joined in team training, he will train today which again means, whether it’s this weekend or next weekend, he’ll be good to go.
“The last one who is training with us at the moment is Timo, who is also getting pretty close to being available.” – Ange Postecoglou
Micky van de Ven (hamstring), Radu Dragusin (knee), Dominic Solanke (knee), Cristian Romero (hamstring) and Richarlison (calf) remain out but a recovery date is in sight for all bar Dragusin, whose season is ended.
“Micky, Cuti and Dom, again, we’re looking over the next two or three weeks for them.
“I guess with Micky because he played that game, we just decided to take a different strategy with him. We just want to make sure he’s absolutely right.
“Similar with Cuti. We’re just waiting… the healing in his quad is taking longer than we thought it would. He’s still got one more scan he needs to have just to make sure it’s healed properly. But once we get that sign off, he should be good to go.
“Richy, his was a calf. Again, probably similar to Madders and Brennan, who had similar calf injuries. Depending on how he recovers – Madders has bounced back really quickly, it’s only been two and a bit weeks for him, Brennan’s been three weeks – we’re looking about the same time frame for Richy.” – Ange Postecoglou
BOURNEMOUTH
Luis Sinisterra (hamstring) and Alex Scott (knee) are the two Bournemouth players that Andoni Iraola could call upon anew this weekend.
“From the past week I think the ones that have a chance to be in the squad – we will decide at the end of the session that we have now in the afternoon – will be Alex and Sini. I think both are expected to train and both have a chance. I don’t know if both will make the squad but I expect at least one of them to travel, yes.” – Andoni Iraola
Evanilson (foot), Enes Unal (knee), Julian Araujo (hamstring), Marcos Senesi (quad), Adam Smith (muscle) and James Hill (hamstring) remain on the sidelines for the Cherries.
Julio Soler is also still at the South American U-20 Championship.
As for dad-to-be Justin Kluivert, there was no update from Iraola. Such is the social media age we live in, the player himself responded to a question about his Gameweek 25 availablilty on TikTok saying he would “be there” on Saturday.
Iraola was asked about the Dutch midfielder’s recent goal contribution but didn’t mention anything about Kluivert possibly missing out.
“I think especially these last games when we have been without a specific number nine, everyone has been adding goals: Dango, Justin, Antoine.
“Justin I think is playing very well, is now adding more goals, more numbers but for me the key is the other things that he does that are important for the team.” – Andoni Iraola
CRYSTAL PALACE
There’s good news on the injury front at Palace.
Eberechi Eze was given a breather in Monday’s FA Cup win over Doncaster Rovers to let a niggling foot injury settle down and Oliver Glasner has confirmed he is available this weekend.
Ismaila Sarr (virus) and Eddie Nketiah (twisted ankle), who both sat out that game, are also fit.
“Fortunately no new issues and all three are back. All three trained and are available for tomorrow.” – Oliver Glasner
Chadi Riad and Cheick Doucoure are out for the season with knee injuries, while Joel Ward‘s availability is unknown: he has been sidelined since late 2024 with an unspecified issue.
Ben Chilwell is “ready to start” according to Glasner – but it doesn’t necessarily mean he will.
“Ben is ready to start. That doesn’t mean that he starts because also [Tyrick Mitchell] did well – it’s now to find the best mix. It’s not that we now have to change everything.
“We’ve been quite successful the last weeks and we want to stay consistent but it’s good to have options. There will be busier periods in the next months; now we have one more week until Fulham [away], but then the next three-game week comes up, so it’s good to have many options.” – Oliver Glasner
BRENTFORD
Josh Dasilva (knee), Gustavo Nunes (back), Igor Thiago (joint infection), Aaron Hickey (hamstring) and Rico Henry (hamstring) remain out this weekend.
There is good news about Mark Flekken, however. The goalkeeper sat out Gameweek 24 with a side strain but Thomas Frank says he is available for the West Ham United game.
“The same [players are] available from the last game to this game. No, of course, Mark Flekken is ready again and he will be in goal tomorrow, so that’s good.” – Thomas Frank
“He is training with the first team in parts, and is planning to be fully training next week with the team, so that’s positive.
“He has been out for 16 months. I will be happy the day he is involved in the squad, even more happy when he comes on the pitch, and even more, more happy when he is starting a game.
“From next week, a pre-season – he has been out for so long.” – Thomas Frank on Aaron Hickey
Frank said that Henry and Thiago are a “bit away”.
EVERTON
Iliman Ndiaye (knee) limped out of the midweek Merseyside derby and is now set for “weeks” on the sidelines.
“Ili has got a medial ligament injury, it’s not looking great at the moment. We’re probably not sure about how long it’s going to be, we’ll maybe get a bit more on that. It’s certainly going to be a few weeks, anyway.” – David Moyes
Abdoulaye Doucoure will sit out the clash at Selhurst Park, too, after being sent off for two bookable offences on Wednesday.
Armando Broja (ankle), Youssef Chermiti (thigh), Seamus Coleman (calf), Dwight McNeil (knee), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (hamstring), Nathan Patterson (hamstring) and Orel Mangala (knee) remain on the injury list heading into the trip to Crystal Palace.
MANCHESTER UNITED
Ruben Amorim hinted at injury and illness concerns in his squad without naming names.
“Was a good week until two days ago. We had some problems also. So we don’t have players back, maybe we have one or two issues but we are waiting.
“We have one player also who is sick so we will see the team at the weekend. But was good to work with the team, to feel the players and to try to improve our performance.” – Ruben Amorim
Lisandro Martinez (knee) is on the long-term injury list, while Jonny Evans (muscle) and Mason Mount (hamstring) haven’t been seen since December. Neither player was sighted in training this week.
Neither was Luke Shaw (hamstring), who had been on the cusp of a return before yet another setback.
Goalkeepers Altay Bayindir and Tom Heaton missed last week’s FA Cup tie against Leicester City. Heaton was expected to make an instant return but further word is awaited on Altay.
FULHAM
Reiss Nelson (hamstring) was on the cusp of a comeback but suffered another hamstring injury in his other leg and will be out for a “long time”.
Kenny Tete (knee) and Harry Wilson (foot) will likely be sidelined until April, too.
Other than those three, though, the Cottagers have no fresh concerns for Gameweek 25.
“We are going to have the same available players for tomorrow’s match that we had the last two.” – Marco Silva
Marco Silva confirmed that ‘new’ signing Willian will be in the squad.
“He is going to be in contention, he is going to be involved in the squad list definitely. Of course you have to go day by day, week by week with Willian. To get the best from him, you have to put him in the best physical condition you can.” – Marco Silva on Willian
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS
Jorgen Strand Larsen (muscle) will only return to full training tomorrow, so a Gameweek 26 comeback looks likelier for the striker.
Hwang Hee-chan came off with hamstring discomfort in the cup win over Blackburn Rovers and is set to be missing for 2/3 games.
Sasa Kalajdzic (knee), Yerson Mosquera (knee), Leon Chiwome (knee) and Enso Gonzalez (knee) remain out.
