The remaining pre-Gameweek 2 manager press conferences take place today – and we’ve got the key Fantasy Premier League (FPL) team news updates here.
This is a ‘live’ article and will be updated as and when the pressers are staged on Friday. Make sure to hit refresh for the latest news.
There are 14 in all, one of which is Erik ten Hag’s press conference. That was staged on Thursday but embargoed till lunchtime today.
For the headlines from yesterday’s four media gatherings, read our previous round-up here.
GAMEWEEK 2 TEAM NEWS: INJURY UPDATES FROM FRIDAY
- Chelsea: James confirmed out
- Brighton and Hove Albion: De Zerbi: “Everyone is good”
- Manchester City: Stones + Bernardo out, Dias a “maybe”
- Liverpool: Salah has had a “super training week”
- Manchester United: Martinez expected to be fit
- Aston Villa: Mings and Buendia long-term absences
- Newcastle United: Hall set to join the Magpies
- Tottenham Hotspur: Romero “good to go”
- Brentford: Jensen fit to start
- Fulham: Mitrovic out, Palhinha returns
- Everton: Calvert-Lewin back in contention
- West Ham United: Ward-Prowse available
- Bournemouth: Kelly could return but seven still out
- Wolverhampton Wanderers: No injury concerns
FRIDAY’S PRESS CONFERENCE TIMES
CHELSEA
Reece James (hamstring) was confirmed as injured by both the Chelsea website and Mauricio Pochettino on Friday.
The Blues’ site said that James was “starting rehabilitation having undergone assessments on an injury sustained in training this week”, with Pochettino adding the following:
“I think we are going to assess him day by day. He’s going to be, for sure, as soon as possible, going to be again with the team.
“It’s not a few days, maybe it’s a few weeks. The good thing it’s not a big issue.” – Mauricio Pochettino on Reece James
Armando Broja (knee), Wesley Fofana (knee), Marcus Bettinelli (unknown), Christopher Nkunku (knee), Trevoh Chalobah (knock) and Benoit Badiashile (hamstring) remain out but Broja and Badiashile are “at the end stages of their rehabilitation programmes”.
Pochettino was asked about whether the Blues would add a mere back-up to Robert Sanchez or seek to recruit a direct challenger, following Kepa Arrizabalaga‘s move to Real Madrid.
“That is a good question because we are thinking of that. We are thinking of the all situations and possibilities on the market. The club is open to assess all the options.” – Mauricio Pochettino
BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION
There was no mention of Pervis Estupinan in the broadcast section of Roberto De Zerbi’s presser, following wild conjecture about his fitness on social media.
The Brighton boss, indeed, said that “everyone is good” heading into the trip to Wolves.
That presumably also means that Adam Webster and Adam Lallana will return to the squad after they weren’t risked on the opening weekend.
De Zerbi has confirmed that Tariq Lamptey will play for the under-21s tonight as he seeks to build up his match fitness.
MANCHESTER CITY
John Stones (muscle) and Bernardo Silva (illness) have joined Kevin De Bruyne (hamstring) on the sidelines for the visit of Newcastle United, while Ruben Dias is only a “maybe” following last week’s concussion.
Dias was, at least, on the bench for the midweek Super Cup tie against Sevilla.
“Important players are not here, will not be here. John is out, Bernardo is out, Ruben I don’t know.” – Pep Guardiola
“Stones, yes [he’s out], Ruben maybe he will be fit.
“[Stones is a] muscular issue. Last training he did not feel comfortable. I don’t know how long he will be out.” – Pep Guardiola
Guardiola added that Julian Alvarez “was in discomfort” ahead of that Sevilla game, hence why he only came on as a late substitute.
LIVERPOOL
Jurgen Klopp said that Mohamed Salah has had a “super training week”, following his minor temper tantrum after his late-game substitution against Chelsea.
“I think this story was already over after the game, since then – nothing else happened.” – Jurgen Klopp on Mohamed Salah’s angry reaction to being subbed off in Gameweek 1
The Liverpool boss said that he wasn’t sure whether new signing Wataru Endo would be ready to face Bournemouth.
Thiago Alcantara and Stefan Bajcetic have been back in training after long-term lay-offs and are “really close but not there yet.”
MANCHESTER UNITED
Lisandro Martinez is expected to be fit for Manchester United’s trip to Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.
The Argentina international was substituted at half-time of Monday’s win over Wolverhampton Wanderers but has since trained.
“He was just training [on Thursday], so I think so. Yeah.” – Erik ten Hag on whether Lisandro Martinez will be fit
Rasmus Hojlund (back), Tom Heaton (calf), Kobbie Mainoo (ankle), Amad Diallo (knee) and Tyrell Malacia (unknown) remain out.
ASTON VILLA
Tyrone Mings (knee) is set for a lengthy lay-off and has joined Emi Buendia (knee), Jacob Ramsey (foot) and Alex Moreno (hamstring) on the sidelines ahead of the visit of Everton.
Moreno is close to a return, at least, while Bertrand Traoré and Jhon Durán have rejoined training this week.
NEWCASTLE UNITED
Newcastle look set to add Lewis Hall to their ranks after Eddie Howe all but confirmed the Chelsea youngster was on his way.
Howe tends to be tight-lipped when asked about transfer activity but the fact that he was willing to talk about Hall suggests a move is imminent.
“What can I say? Let’s see and what happens today. He is a player that I like. Very versatile. Really good potential.
“Yes, I think it is [a loan deal].” – Eddie Howe
Injury-wise, Howe said he wasn’t expecting any of his sidelined players back for the trip to Manchester City. Nor were there any fresh issues reported.
Javier Manquillo (groin), Joe Willock (hamstring) and Emil Krafth (knee) remain unavailable, then.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Ange Postecoglou confirmed that Cristian Romero is “good to go”, having been substituted in the match against Brentford with a head injury.
The Spurs boss said that there was otherwise no change to the team news, so Ryan Sessegnon (hamstring), Bryan Gil (groin), Rodrigo Bentancur (knee), Fraser Forster (back) and Alfie Whiteman (ankle) are presumably all still out.
“In terms of Cristian [Romero], he’s good to go. He’s been in the hands of the medical team just going through all the protocols. It’s a pretty clearly defined process he needs to go through and he’s ticked all the boxes. He’s felt fine all week and has trained, ready to go.”
“Aside from that, no change from last week.” – Ange Postecoglou
BRENTFORD
Mathias Jensen has recovered from the injury he suffered in Brentford’s draw with Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, with Thomas Frank confirming that he will start against Fulham.
Frank Onyeka (knock) is available, too, but Ivan Toney remains suspended.
There wasn’t a fresh update on Ben Mee (calf) but the understanding is that the defender will undergo late checks before the west London derby.
FULHAM
Marco Silva has confirmed that Aleksandar Mitrovic will miss the visit of Brentford with an ankle problem.
Joao Palhinha has recovered from a shoulder injury and will be part of the matchday squad “at least”.
EVERTON
Dominic Calvert-Lewin looks set to be involved against Aston Villa, having got more game-time under his belt in a midweek behind-closed-doors game.
“He’s in good shape. Managed to get the end part of his rehab done this week with 90 minutes [in a friendly]. He certainly comes straight back into the thinking.” – Sean Dyche on Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Dwight McNeil (ankle), Dele Alli (hip) and Seamus Coleman (knee) remain out.
WEST HAM UNITED
David Moyes expects to have a fully fit squad for the visit of Chelsea, with new signings James Ward-Prowse and Edson Alvarez available for selection.
BOURNEMOUTH
Adam Smith (muscle), Ryan Fredericks (calf), Marcus Tavernier (unspecified), Emiliano Marcondes (foot), Alex Scott (knee), Dango Ouattara (ankle) and Lewis Cook (hip) will all miss the trip to Anfield.
Lloyd Kelly could be back from his own recent lay-off, however, having returned to training this week.
Marcos Senesi and Max Aarons are also fine after cramping up in the draw with West Ham United.
“Probably the only one we can recover is Lloyd Kelly, who has started training with the group in the last three or four sessions.
“Probably if he feels good today, he can travel with the team. But the rest continues the same.” – Andoni Iraola
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS
It’s all quiet on the team news front at Wolves: Gary O’Neil confirmed that he had no fresh injuries ahead of the visit of Brighton.
