There’s more Fantasy Premier League (FPL) injury news to come today as 11 managers face the media ahead of Gameweek 22.
Among them are Liverpool’s Arne Slot, Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta and Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola.
You’ll be able to find all the injury updates and key quotes in the article below.
We’ve already had nine pressers, with new Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior among the managers in front of the cameras on Thursday. You can read what they had to say here.
KEY GAMEWEEK 22 INJURY NEWS FROM FRIDAY
- Arsenal: “Might be” a chance of a player returning, no fresh worries
- Manchester City: Stones + Bobb still out, Pep non-committal on Gonzalez
- Liverpool: No new injury concerns, Slot on Salah’s return date
- Crystal Palace: Guehi City-bound, Glasner to leave
- Manchester United: De Ligt still out, Mbeumo + Amad back from AFCON
- Newcastle United: Schar out for three months, Murphy sidelined
- Aston Villa: Kamara out, Martinez to be assessed
- Brighton and Hove Albion: Minteh an “option”, Baleba returns, Wieffer still out
- Everton: Grealish available, Keane banned, no one expected back from injury
- Brentford: Ouattara available, Henderson has made “good progress”
- Wolverhampton Wanderers: Agbadou back from AFCON, no new injuries
FRIDAY’S PRESS CONFERENCE TIMES
ARSENAL
Mikel Arteta said there “might be” a chance of one of his injured players returning this weekend.
Piero Hincapie (muscle), Riccardo Calafiori (muscle), Max Dowman (ankle) and Cristhian Mosquera (ankle) were the four names.
“It might be. So, I need to meet now with the medical staff – we have a training session now – and see if somebody is available for the weekend.
“I cannot tell you because I don’t know.” – Mikel Arteta on whether there is a chance that any of his injured players could return in Gameweek 22
Given that Arteta mentioned only on Tuesday that Calafiori, Dowman and Mosquera were looking at “weeks” out, we’re assuming Hincapie is the one who is closest to a recovery.
The Arsenal head coach did confirm that there were no fresh concerns from the midweek win over Chelsea.
Away from injuries, Mikel Arteta was asked if he has to think a few games in advance with the schedule so intense.
“Well, in certain things, yes, and especially looking at the opponent and the things we’re going to be able to train that we can replicate in those games. Sometimes, ideally we want to plan, ‘Ok for this game, we think this player could be better and the load’, and some other times it’s just impossible and you have to go game by game. We have more players back now, we have better options and that’s very helpful because obviously we’ve been giving game time to almost every player.” – Mikel Arteta
MANCHESTER CITY
Pep Guardiola confirmed, with a shake of the head and a “no”, that John Stones (thigh) and Oscar Bobb (hamstring) remain sidelined for the Manchester derby.
Ruben Dias (hamstring), Josko Gvardiol (leg), Mateo Kovacic (ankle) and Savinho (thigh) are still out, too.
“We are in a difficult situation for not one game but for a long, long period. But Ruben will be back soon, Josko no, John, hopefully, we will see.” – Pep Guardiola on his injured defenders
At least the centre-back crisis looks set to be remedied by the capture of Marc Guehi, which you can read about below.
Omar Marmoush is still at the Africa Cup of Nations, meanwhile, although Rayan Ait-Nouri returned from Morocco this week. He featured in the EFL Cup on Tuesday.
Nico Gonzalez (knock) remains a doubt, with Guardiola yet to make a call on his midfielder’s availability.
“We’ll see, we’ll see, this afternoon in training.” – Pep Guardiola on Nico Gonzalez
LIVERPOOL
Arne Slot reported no new injury concerns for Liverpool’s clash with Burnley.
Alexander Isak (ankle), Conor Bradley (knee), Giovanni Leoni (knee), Stefan Bajcetic (hamstring) and Jayden Danns (hamstring) remain unavailable.
“Yes, we’ve got a few injuries. We’ve got Giovanni Leoni out for the season, we’ve got Conor Bradley out for the season and Alexander Isak out for multiple months. But for the rest, I think everyone is available.” – Arne Slot
Despite Bradley being ruled out for the season, don’t expect Calvin Ramsay to challenge for right-back duties any time soon…
“When someone is really unlucky with the injuries we are having, there’s always a player that benefits from that and Calvin is one of them. So, he’s with us, but I still think I have better options to play.” – Arne Slot
This is the final league match that the Reds will be without Mohamed Salah, who contests an Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) third/fourth-place play-off with Egypt this weekend.
“Now, first of all, he needs to play another big game for Egypt on Saturday, and then he comes back to us. I’m happy that he comes back because similar to Andy [Robertson], Mo has been so important for this club, for me. So, I’m happy that he’s [soon going to be] back because even if I had 15 attackers, I still would have been happy if he would have come back. But that’s not our current situation, so happy to have him back after an important game that he still has to play.
“[He’ll be available] next week. We’re in talks with him, what is expected of him over there and what we expect over here.
“[Champions League availability] is something we are talking about together now.” – Arne Slot on Mohamed Salah
Injuries and availability aside, Slot was asked about the style of football his side is currently serving up.
“I think in the last 11 games, we’ve hardly conceded chances. But in the period before that, when we lost a lot of games, we created a lot of chances, but we conceded more chances than we are conceding recently. Those were more open games, where maybe people look back at it now [and say], ‘Please give us those open games again.’ But the results weren’t as we wanted them to be.
“So, we have to find a balance and we will because I can see the players growing, they get more and more belief again and they are getting fitter, as I’ve mentioned many times. We are just waiting for a moment – because we are doing well, like you just said – where we can kick-start our season even more than we’ve done in the recent 11 games.” – Arne Slot
CRYSTAL PALACE
In a bombshell-filled press conference, Oliver Glasner has revealed he will be leaving Crystal Palace at the end of the season.
“I had a meeting with Steve [Parish] in October… and I told him that I will not sign a new contract with Crystal Palace. We agreed at the time that it was best to keep it between us and I think this is how confidential we work together, that we could keep it between us for three months in the football times we are in. I told the team today, the same. I think now it’s important to have clarity.
“I told Steve I’m just looking for a new challenge. This is my feeling after everything. I told him in October, so it has nothing to do with the transfer window.” – Oliver Glasner
The outgoing Palace boss also said that Marc Guehi won’t be in the squad to face Sunderland, as a move to Manchester City is imminent.
“My latest understanding is that the deal with Marc is in the final stages. I can’t confirm the club [buying him] because it’s still not done but in the final stages. The result is that Marc doesn’t play tomorrow for us.” – Oliver Glasner
“Yeah, we have to find [a replacement for Guehi in the transfer market]. Let’s see.” – Oliver Glasner
Glasner couldn’t rule out the prospect of Jean-Philippe Mateta heading for the exit door, either, with Juventus circling.
“It’s the same. There will be a price where Crystal Palace say, ‘Okay, 18 months left on his contract, we’ll do the deal’ – if JP wants. If nobody pays this price, JP will stay.” – Oliver Glasner on Jean-Philippe Mateta
Team news wise, Jefferson Lerma (concussion) and Chadi Riad (knee) are back this weekend. Daniel Munoz (knee) is aiming for a Gameweek 23 return, and that’s when Ismaila Sarr will be back from international duty, too.
“Jeff Lerma can play again tomorrow. Dani Munoz had one session with us this week so he will train with us next week and should be available against Chelsea. The same with Ismaila Sarr.” – Oliver Glasner
Rio Cardines (groin), Daichi Kamada (hamstring), Cheick Doucoure (knee), Caleb Kporha (back) and Eddie Nketiah (hamstring) remain out.
There was no update on Nathaniel Clyne (knock) but Glasner had previously said the plan was for him to return against Chelsea in Gameweek 23.
MANCHESTER UNITED
Michael Carrick’s first pre-match press conference was short on team news but the interim United boss did at least give an update to MUTV.
Matthijs de Ligt (back) remains out, while Shea Lacey serves a one-match ban after being sent off in the FA Cup third round last weekend.
Noussair Mazraoui also remains on international duty but Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo are back from Morocco after their nations bowed out of the Africa Cup of Nations.
Harry Maguire (hamstring) returned to the squad last week.
“We’ve had a good week really. Matthijs de Ligt has been carrying a bit of an issue but, hopefully, we’ll get him back in some time soon.
“It’s been a little bit slower than what they thought previously.
“All in all, the boys are in good shape. I just feel the energy, whether it’s fresh or not! Obviously, I’m delighted to be here. I want to work a certain way, I want to enjoy what we do and work hard to get success. The boys have put the work in this week and we feel we’re ready.” – Michael Carrick, via MUTV
NEWCASTLE UNITED
Fabian Schar underwent ankle surgery this week, with the defender set to be out until the spring.
“He had successful surgery yesterday, which is great news. Everything went according to plan. It’s difficult to give a definitive [timescale] but I think roughly around three months.” – Eddie Howe on Fabian Schar
Jacob Murphy (hamstring) has joined him on the sidelines, too. While another scan has come back clear, repeated complaints about his hamstring mean the winger will be given a period of rest.
“Jacob has had another scan and again, nothing is showing. So, it’s a strange one. Of course, you have to go on the symptoms and how the player feels.
“I’m sure that’ll probably mean a period where Jacob has to come out. For how long, I don’t know at this moment in time, but we’re very thankful it’s not a serious problem and hopefully one we can overcome very quickly.” – Eddie Howe
Emil Krafth (knee) and Tino Livramento (hamstring) also remain out but Dan Burn (rib) and Will Osula (ankle) are closing in on returns.
“They’re both getting closer.
“Will, hopefully will be training imminently, and then we’ll of course have to make a decision on when we can involve him in a matchday squad.
“Dan is improving. He’s running, which is a really good thing. His fitness will be okay, that won’t be an issue, it will just be managing the pain of his injury. It’s not like he’s been sort of rested and and not on the grass. I’ve seen him. He looks in good shape. It’s just the pain, I think, the top-end pain when he’s fully sprinting. So, hopefully not long.” – Eddie Howe
Howe also commented on the fitness of Yoane Wissa, who missed the first few months of the season through injury.
“There’s been a lot of games and then rest and then game and then rest, and it’s very stop-start for any player in this situation. You’re not necessarily building fitness, you’re maintaining fitness in this moment and there’s no way for me that you can gain fitness really because the training is what gives you that. The games are the part obviously where you show your fitness.
“I think there’s a lot more to come from Yoane. I think we will see him in a much better physical condition than he is now. And that’s not to say that he’s not fit. He is fit and you can see that he’s had some really good games for us. But I think he’s probably gone through that really high emotional state when he’s first come back, and then you’ll always have a dip as a player. Then it’s the real hard period before you then feel even fitter and better as you go forward.” – Eddie Howe on Yoane Wissa
ASTON VILLA
Villa will be without Boubacar Kamara (knee) this weekend, while Emi Martínez (calf) will be assessed ahead of the visit of Everton.
“Emiliano Martínez is progressing well but tomorrow we’ll assess him if he will be available for Sunday or not.” – Unai Emery
“Kamara, of course, is out. It’s his knee. We are checking him, he’s visiting some doctors as well. We’re going to know about him in a few days. But of course, now, he’s not available, and maybe for a long time. Hopefully not so, so long time but we’re checking him.” – Unai Emery
Ross Barkley (knee) and Amadou Onana (muscle) remain sidelined, while new boy Alysson also isn’t ready to feature.
“Onana is not available for [Sunday], he’s ruled out. Barkley as well is ruled out. Both are progressing very well. In a few weeks, maybe Onana even next week, they can be training with us. Ross Barkley will need maybe some time more.
“Alysson is still being a little bit in pain and is not ready for Sunday.” – Unai Emery
Evann Guessand is back from the Africa Cup of Nations, at least.
BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION
Yankuba Minteh (dead leg) is an “option” again this weekend, according to boss Fabian Hurzeler.
Carlos Baleba is back from international duty with Cameroon, meanwhile.
“Yes, he’s back and in a good shape, in a good mood. He’s ready to play.
“Carlos needs to understand that we have more midfielders now. We have Jack Hinshelwood back after injury. We have Yasin [Ayari], we have Pascal [Gross], we have Diego [Gomez], we have Carlos. So, there’s competition and I think there are only benefits regarding the intensity in the training sessions, benefits from learning from a really good and experienced player like Pascal, who has, I think, exactly these kind of things what Carlos definitely has to improve on.” – Fabian Hurzeler on Carlos Baleba
Mats Wieffer remains out with a toe injury, along with Solly March (knee), Adam Webster (knee) and Stefanos Tzimas (knee).
Hurzeler also reported a bout of illness but didn’t seem unduly concerned.
“Nothing new. So, Minteh will be back will be an option. Mats Wieffer still is out. We had some players who were sick during this week, but I hope we have two, three more days to recover and they will be an option for the game.” – Fabian Hurzeler on the latest Brighton team news
The Brighton boss also discussed Danny Welbeck, who has not been without his issues in the past, but for now, remains injury-free.
“He’s getting better and better, but of course, we have to modify him. We have to manage him. And I think there, we have to give like a big praise to our medical department, to everyone who’s involved in managing him, because I think he’s playing the last month an incredible amount of minutes, minutes he never played before. I think that has to be to the credit of the medical team and, of course, also for Danny because he behaves very professionally. He is preparing well for the training sessions. He does everything for good regeneration to make sure he’s ready for the next session, for the next game.” – Fabian Hurzeler on Danny Welbeck
EVERTON
Michael Keane serves game two of a three-match ban but Jack Grealish is available after his one-match ban was fulfilled in the FA Cup third round last weekend.
David Moyes says he isn’t expecting anyone back from injury, although Seamus Coleman (hamstring) and Jarrad Branthwaite (hamstring) are getting closer.
“Probably, not, no. There’s one to two [who are] back on the grass but I don’t think they’re available for this weekend.” – David Moyes on whether he was expecting back for Gameweek 22
“Both Jarrad and Seamus have been back on the grass. They’ve been getting involved with training. Good to get Jarrad back, good to get Seamus back, as well. They’re back in amongst it.” – David Moyes
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (hamstring), Carlos Alcaraz (unspecified) and Tim Iroegbunam (knock) are also out.
“No [timeline], they’re getting closer but they’re not training yet.” – David Moyes on Messrs Dewsbury-Hall, Alcaraz and Iroegbunam
Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gana Gueye remain at the Africa Cup of Nations, too.
BRENTFORD
Dango Ouattara is back available after his involvement in the Africa Cup of Nations came to an end.
Frank Onyeka remains in Morocco.
Jordan Henderson could make a swift recovery, meanwhile, despite having suffered an ankle injury last weekend.
“Dango is back. It probably would have been a bit too tight to get him back for the Sheffield Wednesday game, so we decided to give him an extra few days. Just the bigger picture, really, looking at the rest of the season. So, he’s back, he’s been training well.
“Jordan took a knock last weekend, as most poeple would have seen, an ankle knock. Contact, then slighty rolled it. He’s made really good progress. It was the right decision to take him off, I think the medics did well with that one. He’s back on the grass and we’ll see how he is for tomorrow.” – Keith Andrews
Josh Dasilva, Fábio Carvalho and Antoni Milambo are on the sidelines due to knee injuries.
Keith Andrews discussed new signing Kaye Furo, the young striker who signed for Club Brugge this week.
“Kaye has come in and setted really well, really pleased with him. Really shrewd bit of business by the club. A proper number nine, I would say. Obviously very young, hasn’t had lots and lots of first-team action but he is a player that we have a lot of belief in already.
“He’s already struck up a good relationship with Thiago, who I’m sure he’ll pick up a lot off.” – Keith Andrews
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS
There’s not much team news to report from the Wolves camp.
Emmanuel Agbadou‘s Africa Cup of Nations campaign is over, so he’s “back available and in the squad”.
There are no new injuries to report, either, with only a bit of illness affecting Tawanda Chirewa.
“Tawanda has had a bit of an illness this week so he’s not trained with us. Other than that, though, I think yeah, we’re in a good place.” – Rob Edwards
Jean-Ricner Bellegarde (hamstring) and Toti Gomes (hamstring) remain out.
Marshall Munetsi, who had been sidelined recently with a calf issue, has joined Paris FC on loan.
