Daniel Sturridge is ruled out of the weekend visit to the Hawthorns. Per Mertesacker remains “50/50” for Arsenal’s clash with leaders Chelsea. Spurs look set to welcome back Hugo Lloris in goal against Southampton, who could have Toby Alderweireld back fit and available, whilst Aston Villa receive mixed news in defence.
Brendan Rodgers has confirmed that Daniel Sturridge will miss the trip to the Hawthorns and is uncertain when the forward is expected to return. Lucas and Sakho also remain on the sidelines for the Baggies trip, though there is more positive news on Adam Lallana and Jon Flanagan, with the pair set to be monitored after returning to training ahead of the weekend.
Per Mertesacker is “50/50” to play against Chelsea after picking up an ankle injury in the FA Cup against Reading. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain continues to be unavailable for selection, while Mikel Arteta is back in full training, and edging closer to a return, though remains short of match sharpness to feature this weekend.
David Nugent remains a doubt with the calf complaint picked up during the warm-up prior to last week’s win over Swansea. Nigel Pearson has also confirmed Marcin Wasilewski will continue to be monitored after he was forced off at the break in the 2-0 victory due to a leg problem.
Mauricio Pochettino has revealed that Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris is close to being available for the weekend, having made a return to training. Kyle Walker remains sidelined for Spurs, though everyone else is available for selection, confirms Pochettino.
Saints boss Ronald Koeman has delivered a positive update on Toby Alderweireld, after the Belgian was stretchered off in the loss to Stoke. Koeman has confirmed that Alderweireld trained yesterday, and “if there is no reaction, he will be fit for Saturday”. Filip Djuricic remains sidelined by an ankle injury, while the Saints are again without Victor Wanyama who serves the final game of a two-match suspension.
Jordan Mutch and Chung-Yong Lee have stepped up their recoveries from injury and could be in line to make the Eagles bench against Hull. Marouane Chamakh and Frazier Campbell have also made a return to training, but the weekend will come too soon for the forward pair.
Chris Ramsey has admitted that Rio Ferdinand is nursing an injury but hopes to have the defender back before the end of the season. Yun is available after recovering from a recent head injury, while Leroy Fer is also back in contention for the R’s and will be on the bench “at the very least”, according to Ramsey.
Tim Sherwood has confirmed that both Philippe Senderos and Aly Cissokho will make a return to the Villa squad, having shaken off recent injuries. Sherwood also hopes that Gabby Agbonlahor will recover from a hamstring injury in time to face the champions, though is confident that the forward will be fit to face Everton the following weekend, should Saturday come too soon. Nathan Baker has been ruled out with a knee injury, and will be assessed on a week-to-week basis, however Ciaran Clark could be set to miss the rest of the season with a knee ligament injury picked up against Spurs. Elsewhere, Alan Hutton is making good progress on his foot injury and will continue to be monitored as he steps up his recovery.
Guy Demel has picked up a calf injury and looks set to miss out at the weekend, with Sam Allardyce also confirming that the Hammers have the same injury list as last week.
Newcastle have received a boost with head coach Chris Carver confirming that both Jonas Gutierrez and Siem de Jong will return against Swansea this weekend. The Argentine was left out of last week’s squad after a training ground bust-up with the Magpies boss.
Andrew Robertson and Curtis Davies have both been ruled out of Hull’s trip to Palace by Steve Bruce earlier this morning. The Tigers boss also conceded that Mo Diame isn’t 100% after swelling returned to his ongoing knee problem, though the midfielder will still be part of the weekend squad.
All this and more has now been updated in the Team News section ahead of tomorrow’s deadline. Keep an eye on our official Twitter Stream as breaking news unfolds.
