Having the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) deadline of Gameweek 14 on a Tuesday means a very busy day of press conferences is coming, and we’ve gathered the team news talking points here.
Seven top-flight managers faced the media on Monday, with key quotes from the rest below. But there’s a high chance that Thursday night boss Ruben Amorim won’t speak.
Keep checking back throughout the afternoon for more updates.
KEY GAMEWEEK 14 INJURY UPDATES FROM TUESDAY
- Crystal Palace: Sarr will miss at least the next two matches
- Brentford: No mention of Igor Thiago after late treatment
- Arsenal: A matter of days for Saliba and Trossard, but weeks for Havertz and Gabriel
- Chelsea: Palmer could start, but Caicedo begins three-match ban
- Liverpool: Bradley aiming for Gameweek 15, Isak cramp, Salah can play Gameweek 16 before AFCON
- Brighton and Hove Albion: “Hope” that Rutter and Mitoma can be available
- West Ham United: No Paqueta due to suspension
- Aston Villa: Barkley absent for eight to 12 weeks
- Leeds United: Stach back, but James has a hamstring injury
- Wolverhampton Wanderers: Krejci to miss a second match
- Sunderland: Being elbowed won’t keep Sadiki out
- Burnley: Nothing new, just the same long-term absentees
PRESS CONFERENCE TIMES
CRYSTAL PALACE
In bad news for many FPL managers, Oliver Glasner has confirmed that Ismaila Sarr picked up an ankle ligament injury at the weekend.
Further assessments will determine whether he’ll feature for Senegal at the African Cup of Nations (AFCON).
“Ismaïla Sarr is out for this game. Honestly, it doesn’t look too bad, but he will definitely miss both games this week. There are some issues with his ankle ligaments. They are not completely torn, but there are some issues with the ankle very swollen. But we are still hopeful, and I know our medical department, how hard they are working.
“We have hope that he could return before AFCON, but we have to do further assessments and of course have to see how the next days are going for him.” – Oliver Glasner
Borna Sosa (knock) could be back for Gameweek 15, while Cheick Doucoure (knee) and Caleb Kporha (back) have been absent all season.
BRENTFORD
11-goal Igor Thiago received treatment before a late substitution on Saturday, but Keith Andrews didn’t mention him by name. Is that good news for owners, or just a head coach choosing not to reveal much?
“We’ve got a couple of bits and bobs that we’ll have to decide on but, in the main, we’re in a good place.” – Keith Andrews
We already know that Fabio Carvalho, Antoni Milambo and Josh Dasilva have knee injuries. The first two are almost certainly out for the whole campaign.
On loan from Arsenal, Reiss Nelson is ineligible to face his parent club. Not that he’s featured much for Brentford.
ARSENAL
Speaking of both the Gunners and managers with notoriously vague words, it sounds like both William Saliba (knock) and Leandro Trossard (knock) are aiming for the weekend, rather than Wednesday night.
“I am not going to be able to help you much today because we have another training session.
“He had a little niggle, but I think it’s going to be a matter of days.” – Mikel Arteta on William Saliba
When asked about Kai Havertz (knee) and Gabriel Magalhaes (knee), he said it would be “a matter of weeks.”
“Yeah, so he was doing everything, he could not go to the next level. We are all desperate to have him.He’s a player I love so much for what he brings to the team. I see him suffer. I think it’s going to be a massive boost for the team (when he’s back).” – Mikel Arteta on Kai Havertz
But at least the 1-1 draw at Chelsea saw Viktor Gyokeres come on for a cameo, as Gabriel Jesus made the bench.
CHELSEA
After it was announced that Cole Palmer would be back for that match, the England international stayed on the Blues’ bench.
Enzo Maresca says this is because being reduced to 10 men didn’t suit Palmer, and he could instead potentially start at Leeds United.
“He [Palmer] is available. He was on the bench last game. With ten players, it was more complicated for Cole because he needs to come back in terms of fitness condition. He can start the game. The idea is to start giving him minutes until he can play 90 minutes.” – Enzo Maresca
Of course, Moises Caicedo is why they were one man down. He begins a three-match suspension.
Fellow midfielder Dario Essugo (thigh) has been building up match fitness but “has to slow down for a bit”. Still out are Romeo Lavia (quad), Levi Colwill (knee) and Mykhailo Mudryk (suspended).
Another start for often-hurt Reece James isn’t expected.
LIVERPOOL
Arne Slot spoke nice and early about the Conor Bradley (muscle) and Jeremie Frimpong (hamstring) injury situations.
“Conor [Bradley] got into a team training session yesterday for the first time. Not everything 100% yet so we have to manage that so don’t get hopes up too soon. We expect the same with Jeremie [Frimpong] next week. Unfortunately we play a lot of games, so he’ll miss a few. Hopefully Conor is available for Leeds.” – Arne Slot
Stefan Bajcetic (hamstring), Jayden Danns (hamstring) and Giovanni Leoni (ACL) remain sidelined.
Meanwhile, Slot mentioned that Alexander Isak felt a bit of cramp late on against West Ham United. This week, the minutes of him, Florian Wirtz and Joe Gomez need careful management.
“I don’t think they can play three times 90 in a week. Now I have to wait to see if they can be involved from the start on Wednesday. All three can feature in all the three games.” – Arne Slot on Isak, Wirtz and Gomez
The Dutchman also praised Mohamed Salah’s positive attitude when being an unused substitute at the London Stadium, before confirming that he’ll leave for AFCON on December 15 – making him available for Gameweek 16, at home to Brighton and Hove Albion.
BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION
Fabian Hurzeler is uncertain if Georginio Rutter (head) can play, having been taken off against Nottingham Forest.
“We hope that he’s [Rutter] available tomorrow. It was not a concussion but, of course, you have to follow the procedure because we have to take care of the player’s health.” – Fabian Hurzeler
Of the rest, Kaoru Mitoma (ankle) could return. Nothing was said about James Milner (muscle), though Solly March (knee) and Adam Webster (knee) are still sidelined.
“Kaoru Mitoma was in training yesterday so he will train today and then we have to make a decision if he’s an option for the squad. But he’s definitely really close.” – Fabian Hurzeler
WEST HAM UNITED
Lucas Paqueta returned from suspension in Gameweek 13, only to then receive a red card against Liverpool. He won’t face Manchester United.
“I spoke to Lucas [Paqueta], and he spoke not only with me but with all his teammates. First of all he apologised. He’s aware of his mistake but we as a club, first and foremost protect our own and solve things among ourselves.
“So we move on, Lucas will be out of the game against Man Utd but he will be involved in the next one.” – Nuno Espirito Santo
As for Crysencio Summerville (knock), the trip to Old Trafford will likely come too soon.
“I don’t think so, unfortunately. We’ll assess him, but for Thursday, I think it’s going to be too soon.” – Nuno Espirito Santo on Crysencio Summerville
Neither Lukasz Fabianski (back) nor Oliver Scarles (shoulder) are quite ready.
ASTON VILLA
Ross Barkley sprained his knee at the weekend and is expected to miss between eight and 12 weeks.
Similarly, Tyrone Mings (hamstring) isn’t close to coming back.
“Out tomorrow are Tyrone Mings and Ross Barkley. I don’t know exactly how long Ross Barkley is out for – maybe eight, 10 or 12 weeks. Maybe a little less. It’s a pity because we were now getting a good performance with him and he was progressively so close to getting in the starting team.” – Unai Emery
LEEDS UNITED
While Anton Stach (concussion) is available again, a newly injured Daniel James may need hamstring surgery.
“As it stands, it looks like he could do it in a conservative way, but [even that] way, he will probably miss the next eight weeks. So we have to expect that he’s out for two months at least. It could be worse with surgery, but we hope just eight weeks.” – Daniel Farke on Daniel James
He joins Sean Longstaff (calf) on the sidelines, who has to miss four to six weeks.
Goalkeeper Karl Darlow (adductor) and Sebastiaan Bornauw (knee) should be fine.
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS
Having missed Sunday due to a knock, Ladislav Krejci probably won’t feature here either.
“Yeah, he was out on the grass today. He didn’t train with the group – I don’t think he’ll be ready for tomorrow – but he was out there doing some running. So, we’re hoping he’s not far away.” – Rob Edwards on Ladislav Krejci
Matt Doherty (knee) might be named in Wednesday’s matchday squad, but Rodrigo Gomes (groin), Leon Chiwome (knee) and Dan Bentley (ankle) won’t.
SUNDERLAND
Noah Sadiki had to suffer being an elbowing from Bournemouth’s Lewis Cook, but is fine for the trip to Anfield.
Dennis Cirkin (wrist), Leo Hjelde (Achilles) and Aji Alese (shoulder) are lacking match fitness after being sidelined. Habib Diarra (groin) still needs more time.
BURNLEY
Apart from long-term absentees Jordan Beyer (hamstring), Connor Roberts (Achilles) and Zeki Amdouni (knee), the Clarets’ treatment room is empty.
“No injury concerns, other than the ones that are maybe a bit more long-term. But other than that, everyone’s fit and well.” – Scott Parker
MANCHESTER UNITED
We won’t hear from Ruben Amorim before this evening’s deadline, but Matheus Cunha (head) has been pictured in training after missing two matches.
Yet Benjamin Sesko (knee) and Harry Maguire (hamstring) still can’t play.
