The Gameweek 14 press conferences began on Monday, with seven Premier League managers facing the media to discuss injuries and team news.
All the key quotes are in the article below.
The managers of the other 13 top-flight clubs will hopefully host pre-match pressers on Tuesday, although there’s a chance that Thursday night bosses Ruben Amorim and Nuno Espirito Santo won’t.
KEY GAMEWEEK 14 INJURY UPDATES FROM MONDAY
- Newcastle United: No fresh injuries; Pope to be analysed, but Botman needs a specialist
- Tottenham Hotspur: Romero back from ban
- Manchester City: Rodri and Kovacic are still unavailable
- Bournemouth: Suspensions for Senesi, Brooks and Cook
- Nottingham Forest: Gibbs-White and Murillo are expected to make the XI
- Everton: Still no Coleman, Branthwaite or Gana
- Fulham: Wilson knock shouldn’t be a problem
NEWCASTLE UNITED
A long-awaited away win finally came for the Magpies on Saturday, thrashing Everton 4-1. Eddie Howe doesn’t report any new problems on top of absentees Kieran Trippier (hamstring), Emil Krafth (knee) and Will Osula (ankle).
“No fresh injuries I believe. We will have a good look at the lads today. Positive physical performance I thought. It wasn’t the biggest game in terms of load so the lads are okay.” – Eddie Howe
The head coach doesn’t have any specific update on Nick Pope (groin) but praised Aaron Ramsdale for “a really good start” in goal.
“No further update from Saturday. He is probably one of a number of players that we will analyse early this week and try and get a proper diagnosis.” – Eddie Howe on Nick Pope
Meanwhile, yet-to-debut Yoane Wissa (knee) has featured in an 11 v 11 training game, and Sven Botman (back) will meet an expert to specify his situation.
“Sven [Botman] is going to see a specialist in the next couple of days just to get a definitive opinion on whether he needs an injection or whether he is able to rest for a few days and then resume training. So we’ll wait and see.” – Eddie Howe
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Other topics took centre stage during Thomas Frank’s press conference, but he did drop in a line about team news.
“Everyone ready for the Fulham match is ready for Newcastle tomorrow.” – Thomas Frank
He’ll also have Cristian Romero back from a one-match suspension.
Fellow defenders Radu Dragusin (knee) and Kota Takai (thigh) are still building up their match fitness.
So, that leaves just Dominic Solanke (ankle), James Maddison (knee), Dejan Kulusevski (knee) and Yves Bissouma (ankle) on the sidelines.
MANCHESTER CITY
In an extremely brief chat with the media, Pep Guardiola’s only injury-related comment confirmed that Rodri (hamstring) won’t be available on Tuesday.
“Not yet [ready]. I don’t know [if he will be fit for the weekend].” – Pep Guardiola on Rodri
Mateo Kovacic (ankle) isn’t available either.
BOURNEMOUTH
Affecting over three million FPL managers is the one-match suspension of defender Marcos Senesi. Both he and David Brooks have accumulated five yellow cards and will miss the Cherries’ meeting with Everton.
Given a straight red card for violent conduct, Lewis Cook isn’t around for three matches.
“I think everyone will be available. Apart from the suspensions, the two Scottish players Ryan [Christie] and Ben [Gannon-Doak] out. I think everyone else should be available, yes.” – Andoni Iraola
As for injuries, there’ll be no Ben Gannon-Doak (hamstring) or Ryan Christie (knee) either.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Despite saying that Murillo (knock) “should be fine” to face Brighton and Hove Albion, the Brazilian didn’t make Sean Dyche’s squad.
And, while Morgan Gibbs-White did recover from a midweek knock to take part, he was forced off in Sunday’s final minutes.
“Murillo – we think will be alright. He’s got a little bit of a virus today. Hopefully he will be fit for selection tomorrow.
“[Morgan] Gibbs-White came off with a knock but we’re expecting him to be ready for selection tomorrow.” – Sean Dyche
Chris Wood (knee), Taiwo Awoniyi (knock), Douglas Luiz (hamstring), Angus Gunn (knee), Ola Aina (hamstring), Oleksandr Zinchenko (muscle) and Dilane Bakwa (hamstring) remain on Forest’s injury list, although the latter two are back in training.
“Bakwa and Zinchenko are both back training. Bakwa will be slightly longer.” – Sean Dyche
EVERTON
The Toffees don’t like visiting Bournemouth, drawing one and losing seven of their last eight trips there, across all competitions.
On Tuesday, David Moyes still won’t be able to call upon Seamus Coleman (hamstring), Jarrad Branthwaite (hamstring), Nathan Patterson (foot) or Merlin Rohl (hernia).
“None of them are available for the game. As you can see we are missing Merlin [Rohl], we are missing an extra midfield player which we are lacking a little bit. Seamus [Coleman] would give us more cover at right back if he was available.
“Jarrod [Branthwaite] has been out for most of the season so we are a little bit limited to what we have got central defender wise. We’re just a little bit short in those areas but we will be fine and we’ll get through it.“ – David Moyes
Furthermore, Idrissa Gana Gueye is serving the second part of his three-match ban.
FULHAM
Continuing the good news of back-to-back victories, Marco Silva has no extra injuries to deal with.
Just a tiny knock to Harry Wilson, alongside the already-known absences of Antonee Robinson (knee) and Rodrigo Muniz (hamstring).
“Wilson felt something in the game, but he was okay yesterday. He felt something vs Sunderland. Doesn’t look like it’s something that will take him from the game tomorrow. [Robinson] is doing gym work, let’s hope we have good news in December.” – Marco Silva
