Team News
18 December 2025 220 comments
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The Gameweek 17 press conferences are underway, with the latest team news slowly starting to filter through.

Five Premier League managers face the media on Thursday, including Keith Andrews of Brentford. He’ll be giving us the latest on Igor Thiago (£7.2m).

All the key team news and quotes are in the article below.

We should hear from the bosses of the other 15 Premier League clubs in some form – be it a live press conference or embargoed quotes from midweek – on Friday.

KEY GAMEWEEK 17 INJURY NEWS FROM THURSDAY

THURSDAY’S PRESS CONFERENCE TIMES

BRENTFORD

As we feared might be the case due to the short turnaround between EFL Cup tie and pre-match presser, Keith Andrews couldn’t tell us much more about the likelihood of Igor Thiago being fit for Gameweek 17.

The Brazilian striker and Jordan Henderson both missed the loss to Manchester City with “knocks”. Andrews said at the time that the pair, who haven’t started any midweek game this season, were “not far off”.

“I don’t know yet, is the honest answer around exactly how they are. They’ve been with medics today, we’ll see how they are going into the game on Saturday.” – Keith Andrews on Igor Thiago and Jordan Henderson

Kevin Schade is available again after his one-match ban last weekend.

Dango Ouattara and Frank Onyeka have left for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), however.

Long-term absentees Josh Dasilva (knee), Fábio Carvalho (knee) and Antoni Milambo (knee) are also still unavailable.

The games against Leeds United last Sunday and City on Wednesday came too soon for Reiss Nelson (knock) but he shouldn’t be too far away.

NOTTINGHAM FOREST

Sean Dyche named only Chris Wood (knee) and Ola Aina (hamstring) as his confirmed injury-related absentees, although he could have neglected to mention Ryan Yates (hamstring), who he previously said would likely be out until January.

“It’s looking better. Woody is still recovering on the grass at the moment. He is not with us yet but is still recovering. Ola is kind of halfway through his progress into fitness, training more regularly with the team now, so that is good, but it has been a long-term injury so we have had to be careful with that one.

“I think pretty much everyone else is back on the grass. There is still pure match fitness, total match fitness. We can only play so many games and B Team games, but they are getting there. There is certainly a good training group now and a lot of demand within that training group, which is good.” – Sean Dyche


Taiwo Awoniyi is among those who have been back on the grass.

Matz Sels (groin) and Nicolas Dominguez (knee) weren’t risked in Gameweek 16 with a view of giving them the best chance of being fit for Monday.

In quotes reported from the non-broadcast section of his press conference, Dyche said Sels in particular should be fine.

“It has calmed right down, [Dominguez’s] knee. The doctor thought it would calm down and it did do, but we couldn’t take a risk when we are just getting players back fit.

“Matz has trained this week so hopefully should be fine for selection.” – Sean Dyche, via the Nottingham Post

Injuries aside, the Tricky Trees will be down two players due to AFCON involvement: Willy Boly and Ibrahim Sangare have joined up with the Ivory Coast.

SUNDERLAND

Five of Sunderland’s six AFCON-bound players have now left for the tournament.

They are: Bertrand Traore, Noah Sadiki, Arthur Masuaku, Chemsdime Talbi and Reinildo Mandava.

However, an unusual development regarding Habib Diarra. Called up by Senegal, he’s also just returned from a medium-term injury. As a result, he’s been on the Sunderland training ground this week to build his fitness and may even be on the bench this weekend before leaving for Morocco a week later than his aforementioned teammates.

“He might be with us for Brighton and then it will be end of his rehab process. If it’s all positive, he will be to leave with his national team.” – Régis Le Bris on Habib Diarra

“I’m not worried, to be fair. We knew before that this period will come. So, it’s not new. It’s not unexpected. So, with 26 points, I repeat, it’s better because the level of confidence is high and we trust the players who will be involved.” – Régis Le Bris on losing six players to AFCON

Away from international football, Luke O’Nien is suspended.

Régis Le Bris said the Black Cats have “no injuries”, however.

LEEDS UNITED

Lukas Nmecha (hamstring), Daniel James (hamstring) and Sean Longstaff (calf) remain out for the Whites.

Daniel Farke says that he expects to have the “same group of players” available as last weekend.

“It will still be about eight weeks in total that [James] will be out before he can then return back to team training, and then let’s see how quick he’s back to full speed and that he can then join in the games.

“With Sean, he’s progressing in his rehab. Also doing individual stuff on the pitch, also running stuff and also a little bit with a ball. But the first step will be for him to be reintegrated in team training and then he needs of course a few training sessions to be back available. So, it will last a bit so he’s not back in team training. So for that we decided then also from game to game and from day to day.

“And also Lucas Nmecha is also out for the next game. So, still a bit symptomatic.

“So, I have the same group of players available also for this Crystal Palace game.” – Daniel Farke

WEST HAM UNITED

The Hammers have lost both of their first-choice full-backs, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and El Hadji Malick Diouf, to AFCON.

Other than that, though, Nuno Espírito Santo hopes to have everyone fit for the trip to Manchester City.

Niclas Fullkrug has been in and out of the West Ham squad of late, missing out anew in Gameweek 16, but has partly trained as of Thursday.

“No major issues. Niclas Fullkrug returned today to part of the session. Aaron out, Malick out, but for the game, we are going to have everyone available, I hope.” – Nuno Espírito Santo

220 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Jet5605
    • 11 Years
    7 months, 1 day ago

    Evening all.

    Would you play BB if we get news Szob is fit for Spurs?.The risk of waiting is if he gets a YC and is banned for Wolves

    1. F4L
      • 11 Years
      7 months, 1 day ago

      if you're happy with the rest of your players for this gw, yes

      1. F4L
        • 11 Years
        7 months, 1 day ago

        *rest of players on the bench that is

        1. Jet5605
          • 11 Years
          7 months, 1 day ago

          Thanks it's Dub, Gudmund and Andersen. Next week better for Dub and possibly Gud too and probably 50/50 for Andersen.

          1. F4L
            • 11 Years
            7 months, 1 day ago

            think would use this gw, get the home fixtures for leeds and fulham

            im not sure who would be your 8th attacker next gw as i guess szobo would be starting

            1. Jet5605
              • 11 Years
              7 months, 1 day ago

              Attacker next week would be Wolte at Man U.
              Yeah you're right. I also just want it out of the way so I can ditch Wolte and Thiago for Guiu and Bowen/Eki

  2. Kaneyonero
    • 9 Years
    7 months, 1 day ago

    I have Reijnders but feel him to Cherki would be a waste of a FT while getting in Foden

    1. The Philosopher
      • 5 Years
      7 months, 1 day ago

      Rather do Reijnders to Minteh

  3. #FPLBhuna
    • 9 Years
    7 months, 1 day ago

    Play 1:

    1. Neco (FUL A)
    2. VVD (TOT A)
    3. Kroupi Jr (BUR H)

    1. F4L
      • 11 Years
      7 months, 1 day ago

      vvd

    2. Eze Come, Eze Go
      • 1 Year
      7 months, 1 day ago

      1

  4. Eze Come, Eze Go
    • 1 Year
    7 months, 1 day ago

    Who would you guys play in each one:

    Van Hecke or Chalobah
    Minteh or Raul

    1. F4L
      • 11 Years
      7 months, 1 day ago

      both brighton players

  5. Iceball
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    7 months, 1 day ago

    Excact cash to do Enzo and Thiago to Ekitike and Wilson
    A) Yes!
    B) No give Thiago Wolves game and reassess next week

    1. Iceball
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 months, 1 day ago

      Have 4ft by the way

      1. Gazwaz80
        • 6 Years
        7 months, 1 day ago

        4ft that’s impressive 😀

    2. Boz
      • 14 Years
      7 months, 1 day ago

      Yeah I would. Maybe Tavernier instead of Wilson

    3. F4L
      • 11 Years
      7 months, 1 day ago

      b

    4. Lanley Staurel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      7 months, 1 day ago

      Easily B. Enzos stats are amazing just not getting the rub of the green and now he plays a team with a 2nd string defence.
      Wilson is just not worth it and Ekiteke is always prone to competing with Isak.

  6. Boz
    • 14 Years
    7 months, 1 day ago

    What are Enzo owners thinking of doing? Feels like the right time to sell

    1. Lanley Staurel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      7 months, 1 day ago

      ….before the Toon who have their pre-schoolers in defence?

      1. Boz
        • 14 Years
        7 months, 1 day ago

        Great point tbh

  7. Pep Roulette
    • 8 Years
    7 months, 1 day ago

    Will we get an update on Thiago before deadline?

    1. Lanley Staurel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      7 months, 1 day ago

      Doubt it now

    2. Amartey Partey
      • 6 Years
      7 months, 1 day ago

      Maybe team training photos?

  8. Bigler
    • 8 Years
    7 months, 1 day ago

    Which one on FH?

    A) Petrovic+Saka
    B) Raya+Tavernier

    1. F4L
      • 11 Years
      7 months, 1 day ago

      a if the extra funds arent causing elsewhere

      1. F4L
        • 11 Years
        7 months, 1 day ago

        *causing issue

  9. F4L
    • 11 Years
    7 months, 1 day ago

    pretty mental United have FPL's top 3 mids for shots, and by some distance to.

    1. Lanley Staurel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      7 months, 1 day ago

      Last 4 GWs Semenyo is 2nd and Foden is 4th.

  10. Froes
    • 12 Years
    7 months, 1 day ago

    What do we think about evanilson? Any chance he takes on penalties ?

    1. F4L
      • 11 Years
      7 months, 1 day ago

      think both kluivert and semenyo are ahead of him on pen duties

      tbh, just too much comp from kroupi jr now i think. i mean he has more than double the league goals of evanilson in nearly a third of the minutes

    2. tucaoneo
      • 7 Years
      7 months, 1 day ago

      Didn't Semenyo miss a penalty recently?...

    3. Froes
      • 12 Years
      7 months, 1 day ago

      Yes,
      Semenyo just might lost his space on pens...

      But then u have tavernier and Kluivert

      Evanilson is like firmino with salah and sadio back in the days LOL

    4. Brosstan
      • 11 Years
      7 months, 1 day ago

      Hes probably behind both Kluivert and Semen

    5. Amartey Partey
      • 6 Years
      7 months, 1 day ago

      Kluivert

  11. FC Hakkebøf
    • 9 Years
    7 months, 1 day ago

    Who will score more points this week?

    A) Jimenez (NFO) and Gordon (CHE)
    B) Ekitike (tot) and Richards (lee)

    A, right?

    1. Iceball
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 months, 1 day ago

      My guess
      A. 2+2 = 4
      B. 8+6 = 14

    2. F4L
      • 11 Years
      7 months, 1 day ago

      on paper A should yeah imo

  12. Ninja Škrtel
    • 12 Years
    7 months, 1 day ago

    Are you TC'ing Foden or Haaland?

    1. Wenger's Warriors
      • 3 Years
      7 months, 1 day ago

      Robot

  13. Froes
    • 12 Years
    7 months, 1 day ago

    I need for my mental sanity to target burnley after discarding H.Wilson last week....dont have space for Bou miedfielders, might just go for evanilson. Just scared about is minutes with Kroupi:

    If he scored with that underlying data we would average around 7pts on the last 5 games

    Evanilson (avg 3.1)
    77 min - 1G 0A
    86 min - 0G 0A - 0.85 Xg
    29 min - 0G 01
    79 min - 0G 1A - 0.95 Xg
    90 min - OG 1A - 0.47 Xg

  14. F4L
    • 11 Years
    7 months, 1 day ago

    one thing with ekitike this GW is i imagine he starts with Isak which will be interesting because 1: see that dynamic in the prem and 2: who gets to hog the central areas and shots. ekitike ofc was class last gw with chance after chance but you do think about like how many of those chances wouldve fallen to isak instead if he was on the pitch

    if isak doesnt start then fair enough lol

  15. FantasyFooty01
    • 8 Years
    7 months, 1 day ago

    Verbruggen
    Richards Timber O’Reilly Rodon
    Foden Saka Semenyo Minteh
    Haaland Thiago
    Dubravka Guiu Mbeumo Keane
    0.7 ITB 3 FT

    Thinking of getting Ekitiké in as a differential. Any Suggestions or different plans I should be thinking of?

    1. F4L
      • 11 Years
      7 months, 1 day ago

      can you afford mbeumo to bruno and bench one of richards or rodon?

      1. F4L
        • 11 Years
        7 months, 1 day ago

        or even mbeumo to rice

      2. FantasyFooty01
        • 8 Years
        7 months, 1 day ago

        Can’t even 0.4 off it. Really want to get ekitike in. Thinking of taking mbuemo and guiu out for him and miley

  16. Mother Farke
    • 2 Years
    7 months, 1 day ago

    Hint that Grealish is fit?

    https://x.com/Everton/status/2001336591332315243?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2001336591332315243%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=

    Wouldn't tell a kid that he can walk out with him if he wasn't available?!

    1. Athletico Timbo
      • 3 Years
      7 months, 1 day ago

      Good spot

  17. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 11 Years
    7 months, 1 day ago

    I am a bit desperate to save my transfer to have 3 fts. Is kroupi jnr enough cover for Thiago? Reckon he'll get decent minutes?

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 11 Years
      7 months, 1 day ago

      Pope(dub)
      Timber hincopie truffert(chalobah alderete)
      Saka Bruno f&g szobo foden
      Haaland Thiago (kroupi J)

      2 fts 0 itb

      1. Traction Engine Foot
        • 8 Years
        7 months, 1 day ago

        I would just have Chalobah first on the bench. Doubt Kroupi starts

        1. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 11 Years
          7 months, 1 day ago

          Thanks.

  18. Slitherene
    • 8 Years
    7 months, 1 day ago

    Is Trafford going to start this week?

    On a FH

    1. Slitherene
      • 8 Years
      7 months, 1 day ago

      Oh, thought I read it somewhere

  19. wiseguy
    • 4 Years
    7 months, 1 day ago

    Thiago being both bad and injured does make it easier to climb aboard the Wissa Wagon, hmm.

    1. Fifa las vegas
      • 13 Years
      7 months, 1 day ago

      Is the Wissa Wagon just more of a trundling cart yet though?

      1. wiseguy
        • 4 Years
        7 months, 1 day ago

        Lol yes, that's why you can take a nice leisurely climb aboard next week for some delicious fixtures.

    2. I have no Wirtz
      7 months, 1 day ago

      It’s more a Guiu 442 wagon if I am not mistaken.

  20. Defcons are for Kinnear
    • 13 Years
    7 months, 1 day ago

    With Semenyo looking likely to leave in January do you think there's a chance that he might not get selected to avoid getting injured. Bournemouth would miss out on a big fee

    1. Pompel
      • 12 Years
      7 months, 1 day ago

      As long as he starts against Burnley this weekend. I'm happy to ship him after that

    2. Fifa las vegas
      • 13 Years
      7 months, 1 day ago

      Doubt it, he’ll still play you’d think

    3. Athletico Timbo
      • 3 Years
      7 months, 1 day ago

      Doubt it. His form might dip though

  21. 1justlookin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    7 months, 1 day ago

    Welbexk to Thiago or wait until the next GW?

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 16 Years
      7 months, 1 day ago

      Thiago might be injured

    2. Fifa las vegas
      • 13 Years
      7 months, 1 day ago

      I’ll probably to removing Thiago after this week!

      1. Mother Farke
        • 2 Years
        7 months, 1 day ago

        Does Klopp endorse this? That's Thiago!

      2. Defcons are for Kinnear
        • 13 Years
        7 months, 1 day ago

        His next 3 home fixtures aren't too bad

    3. Brosstan
      • 11 Years
      7 months, 1 day ago

      The cool kids are starting to consider selling Thiago.

      1. 1justlookin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        7 months, 1 day ago

        Why

  22. Evasivo
    • 16 Years
    7 months, 1 day ago

    Enzo owners, are you holding out or letting go?

    1. Cheeky Reijnders
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      7 months, 1 day ago

      Shipped last GW

  23. Slitherene
    • 8 Years
    7 months, 1 day ago

    How likely is Calafiori starting this GW?

    1. Traction Engine Foot
      • 8 Years
      7 months, 1 day ago

      Likely

    2. Fifa las vegas
      • 13 Years
      7 months, 1 day ago

      I would’ve thought a certainty?

  24. Eze Come, Eze Go
    • 1 Year
    7 months, 1 day ago

    If Thiago doesn’t start who would you have as your first bench sub out of these: 1. Raul or 2. Chalobah?

    1. Cheeky Reijnders
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      7 months, 1 day ago

      Tough. Chalobah, just.

  25. Robben The GOAT
    7 months, 1 day ago

    Would you play Hincapie EVE(A) or R. Jimenez NFO (H) this week?

  26. OverTinker
    • 7 Years
    7 months, 1 day ago

    Thiago to Ekitike or keep.?

    1. I have no Wirtz
      7 months, 1 day ago

      Playing 442/352? Then yes

  27. BenSvnt
    • 12 Years
    7 months, 1 day ago

    Come on KuPS!

  28. Cheeky Reijnders
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    7 months, 1 day ago

    gtg? Or any team/bench change?

    Verbs
    Guehi, Senesi, Cash
    Saka, Rogers, Foden, BrunoF
    Welbeck, Thiago, H

    Bench: Dubs, BrunoG, Chalobah, Burn

    TIA & GL all.

    1. I have no Wirtz
      7 months, 1 day ago

      Gtg, good bench order

  29. antis0cial
    • 10 Years
    7 months, 1 day ago

    Hold Gordon for his upcoming fixture run or just get rid? Rest of midfield below.

    Saka BrunoF Foden Rice

    1. Athletico Timbo
      • 3 Years
      7 months, 1 day ago

      Definitely hold

  30. I have no Wirtz
    7 months, 1 day ago

    Given Thiago uncertainty, looking at Bench order:

    Guehi first, Chalobah second correct?

    1. Athletico Timbo
      • 3 Years
      7 months, 1 day ago

      Yes