After some low-key injury bulletins in Thursday’s press conferences, there were some more headline-grabbing updates on Friday.
Pep Guardiola ruled Kevin De Bruyne (groin) out of Sunday’s visit of Wolverhampton Wanderers, although the medium-term prognosis for the Belgian looks more positive.
Guardiola said of De Bruyne:
No, tomorrow is not fit. After the international break, he will be ready. It’s not a big, big problem.
The City boss also confirmed that John Stones (thigh) could be in line for a return after the resumption of play in a fortnight’s time.
Diogo Jota (toe) is a doubt for that match, with Nuno Espirito Santo saying earlier today:
He is not 100 per cent. He still has some issues. Hopefully, he will be with us soon. It is a matter of time. First is to take away the pain that he is still suffering every time he tries to run, he still has some pain.
He is not stopped, he is active, he does a lot of exercises, a lot of cardio, so we try to manage, put again the routine of the training session. If it is soon, better, because we are a very short squad so every player is important.
City’s title rivals Liverpool could be boosted by the return of Alisson (calf) this weekend, meanwhile.
Speaking on Friday, Jurgen Klopp said:
With Alisson it’s still maybe, maybe not! Yesterday he trained with the team [for the first time]. Goalie sessions are often more intense than the proper football sessions. Looked really good, we will see.
It’s different with goalkeepers [re: “rushing” players back]. The good thing, Adrian did that well, we don’t feel pressure, we don’t have to rush it – but we don’t. He’s training already for ten days.
The Liverpool boss also confirmed that Joel Matip (knock) will be sidelined for the visit of Leicester City, saying:
Joel looks good but is not ready for tomorrow. Shaq, not. Clyney, not. That’s it pretty much. After the international break they are all back on track [apart from Clyne].
Daniel Farke gave a now-customary lengthy injury update ahead of Norwich’s clash with Villa, with Todd Cantwell‘s hamstring injury the stand-out concern from a Fantasy perspective.
Speaking on Friday, Farke said:
There is a little doubt, a little question mark behind Todd Cantwell. He’s got some hamstring problems. He was out Wednesday and Thursday, returned back today on the training pitch, it looked alright. We have to wait a bit, how his body reacts. I hope to have him available for tomorrow.
On the rest of Norwich’s walking wounded, Farke said:
For this game tomorrow, all the [long-term] players who were injured, there’s no chance for them to return.
Ralf Fahrmann is not capable to play. Tim Krul is also not able to play, so for that Michael McGovern will start tomorrow.
Grant Hanley will be out tomorrow. He was alright for two weeks but since Wednesday he felt again some problems. He will need to see a specialist to find out what the reasons [are].
Sam Byram is struggling a bit, since two weeks, with his ankle, it was one of the reasons we didn’t start him at Crystal Palace. During this week he felt it even more. But he will be with us tomorrow in the squad.
[Jamal Lewis] will be with us and has a good chance to play tomorrow. It’s just ligament damage, so nothing broken. With tape or whatever, we’ll find some solutions for him to be on the pitch. He will be available for tomorrow.
Ben Godfrey (hernia) is available but will undergo surgery during the international break and is a doubt for the Bournemouth match, but Onel Hernandez (knee) – a positional rival to Cantwell – is close to a return to training.
Manchester United could well be without Paul Pogba (ankle), Anthony Martial (thigh), Luke Shaw (hamstring) and Aaron Wan-Bissaka (tonsillitis) for the trip to Newcastle.
When asked whether any of his sidelined players could return on Sunday, Solskjaer said:
I don’t know. Let’s see on Saturday morning. Probably not.
Asked specifically about whether Pogba could face the Magpies, the Norwegian added:
Probably not, there’s an international break as well, it might be time for us to give him 10 or 14 days extra to be ready for Liverpool.
Mauricio Pochettino hinted at possible rotation when Tottenham Hotspur take on Brighton tomorrow.
The Spurs boss said:
Some players that play two games, was a tough game playing one hour with ten men [v Southampton], maybe some players are going to rest for tomorrow.
Asked about who would replace the suspended Serge Aurier, Pochettino said:
A few options, I think Moussa [Sissoko] was very good playing one hour against Southampton with tough players like Boufal and Redmond. He did very well and that made me think a little bit that his option is bigger than maybe another player.
There were no real injury updates in Frank Lampard’s very brief press conference, at least not in the broadcast section.
The Chelsea boss said of N’Golo Kante‘s fitness:
That’s something we’ll have to watch over the next 24, 48 hours to make sure he’s still on a semi-recovery, as they all are, from the trip to Lille. He hasn’t played much, obviously. In terms of the injury, he’s fine.
The Blues take on Southampton this weekend, who will be without Cedric Soares (calf) and Moussa Djenepo (muscle).
Roy Hodgson confirmed that Mamadou Sakho (muscle) is his only injury-related absentee for Crystal Palace’s trip to West Ham, although Luka Milivojevic serves a one-match ban after collecting five yellow cards.
Eddie Howe said of Bournemouth’s injury situation:
There’s a whole group of players that aren’t far away now, so excited to possibly get them close to returning after the international break. But they’re not ready for this game.
Howe didn’t provide any specific update on Ryan Fraser (illness) in the broadcast section of his press conference but said of Bournemouth’s overall fitness situation:
Touch wood, I think we’re OK.
Chris Mepham (calf) has since withdrawn from the Wales squad, however.
Asked about Diego Rico, Howe responded:
I’ve been very impressed in recent weeks, I think he’s had a decisive say in a lot of games if you look at the assists that he’s made for the team. His corners and free-kicks in recent games have been really valuable for us.
He’s grown into the position, he’s growing in confidence all the time. The challenge for him is to maintain that progression and if he does, with his qualities, he’s going to be an important player for us.
Isaac Hayden begins a three-match ban for Newcastle, while Matt Ritchie (ankle) and Florian Lejeune (knee) remain out.
The Magpies are otherwise looking in decent shape for the visit of Manchester United, however, with Jonjo Shelvey (hamstring), Dwight Gayle (calf) and Jetro Willems (knee) back in contention.
We have yet to hear from Unai Emery today following Arsenal’s win over Standard Liege but Alexandre Lacazette (ankle) is expected to remain sidelined.
For a round-up of yesterday’s eight press conferences, click here.
Predicted line-ups and more detailed information can be found in the Team News tab, which is being updated this afternoon.
You can view a video round-up or listen to the podcast summary of Gameweek 8’s press conferences below:
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