It’ll be a busy day of Gameweek 31 team news as 16 Premier League managers will face the media on Friday.
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 four press conferences held already, read our Thursday round-up here.
GAMEWEEK 31: FRIDAY’S KEY TEAM NEWS UPDATES
- Arsenal: Gabriel out for the season, White + Timber could play, Arteta on Saka
- Newcastle United: Isak, Gordon, Trippier + Joelinton updates from Howe
- Bournemouth: Kluivert a doubt, Christie out, Araujo back
- Manchester City: De Bruyne to leave City, no fresh team news updates
- Aston Villa: Watkins managing knee issue, Bailey + Barkley could return
- Tottenham Hotspur: Richarlison could return, only cramp for van de Ven
- Chelsea: Lavia + Fofana ruled out, Maresca on James
- Manchester United: Mainoo could feature, de Ligt a doubt
- Crystal Palace: Richards still out, Hughes returns
- Brentford: Henry could make the squad, Damsgaard to start, Jensen trains
- Brighton and Hove Albion: Veltman still out, squad to remain the same
- Fulham: No fresh worries, Tete could return, Wilson on the grass
- Everton: McNeil close to contention, Moyes on Ndiaye
- Wolverhampton Wanderers: No new concerns for Pereira, final game of Cunha’s ban
- Ipswich Town: Davis + Hutchinson to be assessed, no fresh worries
- Southampton: Onuachu has an ankle problem, Downes banned, Smallbone could return
GAMEWEEK 31: FRIDAY’S PRESS CONFERENCE TIMES
(times in BST)
ARSENAL
As revealed on Thursday, Gabriel Magalhaes will be out for the rest of the campaign with a hamstring injury.
Mikel Arteta also confirmed in Friday’s presser that Riccardo Calafiori (knee) remains out.
Gabriel Jesus (knee), Kai Havertz (hamstring) and Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee) are out for the season, too.
There were more positive updates on Jurrien Timber (knee) and Ben White (knee), at least. Timber came off in the midweek win over Fulham, a match that White missed altogether – but both could feature on at Goodison Park.
“Riccy is not fit, as well. In the last week or so we lost four players and that’s obviously a big task. Let’s see how Ben and Jurrien are tomorrow as well.
“There’s chance, yeah, [that Timber and White are available].” – Mikel Arteta
As for whether Bukayo Saka is ready to start, Arteta was predictably non-committal.
“The only focus now is on what we have to do against Everton. We know how tough that place is and we have experienced it. Every team that goes there struggles and tomorrow we are going to have to be really strong. The best way to prepare for Real Madrid is to win and play really well tomorrow.” – Mikel Arteta, when asked if he would risk Bukayo Saka from the start this weekend given that Real Madrid follow on Tuesday
“That’s a possibility. We’re going to decide tomorrow what’s the best option for that because it’s not only him involved. We have a lot of pieces to move and some players know they’re not going to be able to finish the game, so it’s a lot to decide.
“He needs exposure and he’s going to have exposure. He played 30 minutes the other day, he felt really well. He scored a goal and he wants more. He’s clear in the last two days. He’s demanding more and he wants more, so that’s a good sign.” – Mikel Arteta on if Bukayo Saka needs to start tomorrow to get minutes under his belt ahead of Madrid
NEWCASTLE UNITED
As predicted, Eddie Howe couldn’t offer us much new on Alexander Isak (groin) and Kieran Trippier (groin).
Both players were substituted in the Gameweek 30 win over Brentford but Newcastle had yet to train when Howe held his presser on Friday morning.
“I’ll wait and see today, really. Of course, I’ve had medical updates yesterday but I’ll see them for the first time today. Hopefully they’re feeling okay, we don’t think we’ve got any big injuries from Wednesday night but we have certainly got a few niggles. So, let’s wait and see.” – Eddie Howe when asked about the latest team news
“Alex felt good going into the [Brentford] game, there were no problems. Sometimes you just have to let the players play. Now, he felt something but it wasn’t enough to stop him. He felt he could play, he wanted to play, he scored, so we’re pleased with that. Now we’ve got to try and make sure he’s fit for Leicester.
“Alex certainly isn’t [an injury-prone player]. He’s had issues with a groin problem that tends to rear its head now and then. It came to the fore just before we played Liverpool [in the Premier League] but with rest he was fine, he was good to go and played really well in the cup final. For whatever reason it just resurfaced before Brentford but I think it’s a very minor problem that will go away quite quickly.” – Eddie Howe on Alexander Isak
Joelinton battled through a knee niggle to last 90 minutes in midweek but is another player Howe has to assess.
“We hope [he’s okay], he’d be another in the category that has got a niggle. But knowing Joey, he will probably say he’s fine today and good to train. We will have to manage him and we will have to look after him.” – Eddie Howe on Joelinton
Anthony Gordon has finished his three-match ban but remains a doubt because of a knock he picked up on international duty.
“No, he hasn’t [trained fully yet], not yet. He’s another one who we’re monitoring, he’s still recovering really from the really, really bad knock he got for England. He’s still got huge bruising on his leg.
“He’s done individual training, he’s not done group training. He’s still not feeling 100% pain-free, so again let’s wait and see.” – Eddie Howe on Anthony Gordon
Lewis Hall (foot), Sven Botman (knee) and Jamaal Lascelles (knee) remain unavailable.
Matt Targett missed the win over Brentford with illness.
BOURNEMOUTH
Justin Kluivert (muscle) remains a doubt for the trip to West Ham United, with Andoni Iraola again saying it would be “difficult” for him to feature.
Ryan Christie is definitely out: the club have admitted defeat with his niggling groin injury.
“Justin also I think going to be difficult, I wouldn’t say, like Ryan, definitely not. We’ll see today if he can train with us and help us from the bench at least but he still feels tight so I’d say difficult.” – Andoni Iraola on Justin Kluivert
Marcus Tavernier (ankle), Luis Sinisterra (hamstring) and Enes Unal (knee) also remain on the sidelines but Julian Araujo (hamstring) returns.
“Ryan Christie is going to be out. Ryan’s situation is worrying, I think, because he has been dealing with a groin issue, the pubis, the abductor, a little bit of everything since, I would say, the beginning of the season. He’s so honest and he wants to push, even with pain he has been playing, and he’s played very, very well for a lot of time. But I think it’s arriving at the moment where his body is telling him that maybe it’s time.
“There is a chance we even decide that we have the surgery now, recover, take your time and probably be ready for next season but it’s not something that we’ve decided.” – Andoni Iraola on Ryan Christie
“Probably the best news is that we expect Julián Araujo to be in the squad because he’s training well.” – Andoni Iraola
MANCHESTER CITY
The announcement that Kevin De Bruyne is to leave Manchester City at the end of the season dominated Pep Guardiola’s pre-match press conference – so much so that there were no team news questions asked in the broadcast section.
After the win over Leicester City in midweek, Guardiola confirmed that Erling Haaland (ankle) was looking at five or six weeks out.
Nathan Ake (foot), Manuel Akanji (groin) and John Stones (adductor) are definitely sidelined, too.
Rodri (knee) is back on the grass but targeting a return to play later in the campaign.
Abdukodir Khusanov was left out of the squad to face the Foxes, with the Man City website curiously saying he’d been given “a well-earned rest”.
ASTON VILLA
Leon Bailey (knock) will be assessed after missing out in midweek.
Ross Barkley (calf) meanwhile is back training after two months out and could return to the matchday squad this weekend.
“We will train this afternoon. Bailey is getting better but we’ll check this afternoon how he’s progressing. Barkley is working with the team this week.” – Unai Emery
Villa have no other concerns but Unai Emery did say that Ollie Watkins has been managing a knee issue since the international break, hence successive benchings in league and cup.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Ange Postecoglou confirmed that Micky van de Ven was suffering only cramp when coming off against Chelsea on Thursday night.
Spurs otherwise emerged from that defeat unscathed.
“Micky cramped up, obviously he hadn’t played 90 minutes for a while. The positive thing is that he felt really good apart from the cramping up. It was a tough game defensively, we had to work hard.
“Everyone else… nothing significant coming out of the game.” – Ange Postecoglou
Elsewhere, Richarlison (calf) could be involved in the matchday squad after returning to training this week.
Radu Dragusin (knee), Kevin Danso (hamstring) and Dejan Kulusevski (foot) remain out.
On the subject of rotation, Postecoglou said he would make “a couple of changes”.
“To a certain extent. I think we’re sort of a little bit beyond that in terms of… I think for the most part the group’s in a decent place physically, where I don’t have to get players game time. As said I think it’s important we get some momentum leading into the game on Thursday, so we’ll make a couple of changes. We won’t make too many.” – Ange Postecoglou when asked if the visit of Southampton presented a good opportunity to rotate
CHELSEA
Romeo Lavia (muscle) and Wesley Fofana (muscle) won’t recover for the short trip to Brentford.
Both players missed out in Gameweek 30, with Fofana more of a concern.
“We don’t know yet [on their timelines]. We are waiting for both. Romeo looks a little bit better injury compared to Wes, in terms of probably Romeo can be back earlier than Wes.
“Both same problem, muscle problem.” – Enzo Maresca
Marc Guiu (hamstring) and Omari Kellyman (hamstring) remain out, while Mykhailo Mudryk is still provisionally banned by the Football Association.
Reece James was on the bench on Thursday, with Maresca again stressing the need to protect him.
“It’s because we try to take care of him. We know that in this moment he cannot play every three days. And hopefully, soon he can start to play every three days. But the main target with him, with Romeo, with Wes, is to keep them fit because we know how important they are for us.” – Enzo Maresca on Reece James
MANCHESTER UNITED
Rubem Amorim revealed that Kobbie Mainoo (calf) could be involved this weekend, although likely not from the start.
The United boss also said that Matthijs de Ligt is a doubt.
“I think Kobbie is returning to training, so we’ll see and assess for this game already. Of course, he cannot play a full game, he’s a long time without training.
“I think Matta [de Ligt] has an issue. He has something during the game [at Forest] and we have to assess. I think the rest is normal.” – Ruben Amorim
Luke Shaw (hamstring) isn’t thought to be ready to feature, despite his own return to training.
Ayden Heaven (ankle/foot), Jonny Evans (muscle), Amad Diallo (ankle) and Lisandro Martinez (knee) are all on the injury list.
CRYSTAL PALACE
Chris Richards (calf) is “not 100%” so will miss the ‘A23 derby’ this weekend.
Chadi Riad (knee) and Cheick Doucoure (both knee) on the longer-term injury list.
Will Hughes is back from suspension, at least, after two games out.
“No, unfortunately he was very close. He was training with us today. He was outside on the pitch, it was a very short session – but he’s not at 100% and then we spoke.
“If it had been the last game of the season, I think he would have played and would have started. But we can’t take the risk when you see our upcoming schedule and the amount of games.
“He still feels a little bit of pain, very low level, but we took the decision not to take any risks.” – Oliver Glasner on Chris Richards
BRENTFORD
Thomas Frank says “there’s a good chance” Rico Henry (hamstring) will be in the squad against Chelsea on Sunday.
Gustavo Nunes (back) and Aaron Hickey (hamstring) are not yet ready to feature despite starting for the under-21s on Monday – as Henry did – to build up match fitness.
Mathias Jensen (illness) has trained and could be involved, meanwhile.
Longer-term absentees Igor Thiago (knee), Josh Dasilva (knee) and Fabio Carvalho (shoulder) remain out.
“Everyone from the [midweek] game is fine.
“Matty is fine and is training well, he could be available for Sunday.
“There’s a good chance [Henry will be involved].” – Thomas Frank
Mikkel Damsgaard was limited to a substitute role in midweek but is “fine” and Frank revealed he will start this weekend.
BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION
Joel Veltman (foot) won’t recover in time to face Crystal Palace, so Fabian Hurzeler looks set to have the same squad available to him this weekend.
Georginio Rutter (ankle), Adam Webster (muscle), Tariq Lamptey (foot), James Milner (hamstring), Ferdi Kadioglu (toe), Igor Julio (hamstring) and Jason Steele (shoulder) are also out.
“Joel Veltman won’t be in the squad. It will be the same like the last game.” – Fabian Hurzeler
FULHAM
Marco Silva confirmed that he had no fresh concerns on the fitness front.
Reiss Nelson (hamstring) remain on the injury list, while Harry Wilson (foot) is only doing individual work on the grass.
Kenny Tete (knee) could make the squad, however, after returning to full team training.
EVERTON
Dwight McNeil (knee) could come into the squad this weekend after training this week.
Iliman Ndiaye (knee) returned as a substitute in midweek, with David Moyes asked about whether the Senegal international could start against Arsenal.
“[Ndiaye and McNeil] are both back in training. Ili has been back in training, obviously, we got him some minutes the other day. Look, he’s getting closer, it’s just that he’s probably lacking real match fitness but he’s back in the frame and we’re considering him.
“Dwight is back in training. He’s been back in and has probably had about three or four days now on the grass so we’re getting closer.” – David Moyes
Jesper Lindstrom (groin) has joined Dominic Calvert-Lewin (hamstring) and Orel Mangala (knee) on the sidelines.
“Jesper is not available. He’s going to get checked with a specialist – he’s got a groin problem. We’re half looking to see if it could be a hernia, that’s why we’re just checking it.” – David Moyes
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS
Vitor Pereira reported no fresh injury concerns in Friday’s presser.
Sasa Kalajdzic (knee), Yerson Mosquera (knee), Leon Chiwome (knee) and Enso Gonzalez (knee), who have been out for a considerable period, are all still sidelined.
This is the final game of Matheus Cunha‘s ban. The Brazilian forward will return in Gameweek 32.
IPSWICH TOWN
Kieran McKenna reported that he has no new injuries from the win over Bournemouth in midweek.
The Ipswich Town boss said he would make late availability calls on Leif Davis (leg) and Omari Hutchinson (hamstring), both of whom missed out on Wednesday.
Wes Burns (knee), Chiedozie Ogbene (Achilles) and Sammie Szmodics (ankle) are all on the medium-to-long-term injury list.
SOUTHAMPTON
Midweek goalscorer Paul Onuachu is a doubt after picking up an ankle injury against Crystal Palace.
Flynn Downes is also suspended after collecting his 10th booking of the season on Tuesday.
Will Smallbone (groin) is expected back in training tomorrow, however, and could be involved against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
Lesley Ugochukwu and Ryan Manning are also fine after their enforced midweek substitutions.
We await an update on Albert Gronbaek, who missed out in Gameweek 30 with a tendon issue.
Long-term absentees Juan Larios and Ross Stewart are injury-free. While the former remains with the under-21s, Stewart could be involved in the run-in.
