Riyad Mahrez is set to return to training today and make himself available for Leicester City’s trip to his January suitors, Manchester City.
Wilfried Zaha is out of Crystal Palace’s trip to Everton, while Petr Cech is an injury worry for Arsenal ahead of the north London derby.
Here’s our summary of the key team news so far, with a whole host of big-name press conferences still to come this afternoon.
Reports breaking this morning suggest that Riyad Mahrez is set to return to training today, and will to make himself available for the trip to the Etihad Stadium. On Thursday, Foxes boss Claude Puel had stated in his press conference that he felt that the Algerian winger would be unavailable for Saturday’s clash. But with the latest reports suggesting that Mahrez has now arrived in training, he may yet make the matchday squad. His late return could, however, be seen as a disruption with Puel perhaps more likely to omit Mahrez against the club that triggered the player’s recent absence with their deadline day pursuit.
Elsewhere, Leicester will be without Shinji Okazaki due to a knee problem. The striker could be sidelined for two weeks, with either Kelechi Iheanacho or Demarai Gray set to play up in support of Jamie Vardy at the Etihad.
For City, David Silva will be assessed following an abdominal injury, while John Stones could also return following a knee injury. Pep Guardiola’s men also have Champions League duties on Tuesday evening, when they travel to Switzerland to face FC Basel which could possibly impact on the selection, particularly in defensive areas with Nicolas Otamendi perhaps considered for a rest following 14 successive starts in all competitions.
Marko Arnautovic was pictured back in training ahead of West Ham United’s home meeting with Watford following a hamstring problem – we expect David Moyes to confirm whether the Austrian is available later today. The Hammers boss has also revealed that he is considering fast-tracking new arrival Patrice Evra to the teamsheet against the Hornets.
Heurelho Gomes (back), Christian Kabasele (hamstring) and Tom Cleverley (knock) all remain doubts for the Hornets who could again line up in a 3-4-3 formation following the 4-1 win over Chelsea on Monday night.
Lucas Moura is expected to be in contention to make his Premier League debut for Tottenham Hotspur against Arsenal. At the back, Toby Alderweireld is also an option to start after returning from injury to play 90 minutes in the midweek cup clash with Newport County. Like Guardiola, Mauricio Pochettino may also be considering Tuesday’s Champions League tie with Juventus, though, given the significance of Saturday’s encounter, the Spurs boss is unlikely to compromise his team selection.
Petr Cech is a concern for the Wembley Stadium clash due to a calf injury, so David Ospina will be on standby to start in goal. Nacho Monreal is expected to recover from illness to start.
Everton manager Sam Allardyce may hand recalls to Wayne Rooney and Gylfi Sigurdsson for the home encounter against Crystal Palace. Meanwhile, Seamus Coleman will be expected to return in defence after being left out against Arsenal having only just returned from a lengthy injury lay-off. His link with Theo Walcott down the Everton right could be a key weapon against the Eagles.
Palace will be without Wilfried Zaha for the trip to Goodison Park due to a knee injury, with new boy Alexander Sorloth in line for his first minutes since arriving in the January transfer window. Hodgson has hinted that Zaha’s absence will grant an opportunity for Chung-yong Lee to gain starts. Julian Speroni and Martin Kelly are also sidelined for the visit to Merseyside, with Mamadou Sakho set to return in central defence in the latter’s absence.
Paul Lambert has revealed that Jese Rodriguez will be included in Stoke City’s squad for the home encounter against Brighton & Hove Albion. Darren Fletcher may also be available to return having missed the defeat at Bournemouth.
Brighton’s club-record signing Jurgen Locadia will be in the squad for the trip to the bet365 Stadium after recovering from a hamstring injury.
Swansea City head coach Carlos Carvalhal has stated that both Andre Ayew and Andy King are available for selection against Burnley. Leroy Fer and Wilfried Bony are ruled out for the rest of the campaign, while Angel Rangel, Leon Britton and Renato Sanches are also sidelined.
Phil Bardsley has been ruled out for the trip to south Wales due to a hamstring strain, while James Tarkowski and Chris Wood remain out. But Stephen Ward is available to return for the Clarets, though he may sit out with Charlie Taylor continuing at left-back.
Christopher Schindler and Laurent Depoitre could overcome minor foot injuries to return for Huddersfield Town as they host Bournemouth at the John Smith’s Stadium. Danny Williams is doubtful due to a hip problem.
Cherries boss Eddie Howe has revealed that both Adam Smith (thigh) and Steve Cook (hamstring) should be in contention for the trip to the John Smith’s Stadium.
Ciaran Clark (knee) and Islam Slimani (thigh) will be assessed ahead of Newcastle United’s home meeting with Manchester United. Meanwhile, Jose Mourinho could hand recalls to Phil Jones, Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial for the trip to St James’ Park.
Southampton boss Mauricio Pellegrino may consider naming an unchanged starting XI for the visit of Liverpool to St Mary’s.
As for the Reds, they have concerns over Joe Gomez and Adam Lallana for the Saints’ encounter. Jurgen Klopp’s selection may also factor in the midweek slate of Champions League matches, with Liverpool travelling to Porto on Wednesday night.
Antonio Conte will be without the suspended Tiemoue Bakayoko for the home encounter against West Bromwich Albion, but Marcos Alonso is expected to be fit to return after missing Monday’s loss at Watford due to fatigue. Pedro (knock) and Ross Barkley (hamstring) remain doubtful, while Olivier Giroud could make his first start, with Alvaro Morata (back) expected to miss out again. We will know more following Antonio Conte’s press conference at lunchtime.
Jonny Evans, Kieran Gibbs and Jake Livermore all remain very doubtful for the trip to Stamford Bridge, while Grzegorz Krychowiak is also an injury concern due to a thigh problem.
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 account for breaking news – as the day unfolds, we will issue updates from Friday’s press conferences and refresh our Team News tab accordingly to keep you informed.
6 years, 3 months ago
Difficult choice of which 3 defenders to start this GW.. Which 3 would you start out of these?
Jones - Bellerin - Daniels - Ogbonna - Mee
Currently on Jones, Daniels, Mee but unsure....