We’ll be hearing from at least 16 Premier League managers on Friday – and we’ll be bringing you the key Fantasy Premier League (FPL) team news for Gameweek 16 as it arrives.
This is a ‘live’ article and will be updated as and when the press conferences are stage, so make sure to hit refresh for the latest injury updates.
The bosses of Brentford, Burnley and Nottingham Forest faced the media on Thursday, with the main updates from those pressers also to be found in this article.
FPL GAMEWEEK 16 TEAM NEWS: INJURY UPDATES
- Tottenham Hotspur: Son to be assessed, a couple of others with knocks
- Brentford: Mbeumo out for “weeks”
- Liverpool: Alisson could return, Mac Allister a major doubt
- Arsenal: No midweek concerns for Arteta but Tomiyasu out
- Manchester City: Rodri returns, no update on Doku
- Newcastle United: Dead leg for Lascelles, Dubravka’s back knocks
- West Ham United: Areola a concern
- Chelsea: Nkunku looks set to miss out again
- Aston Villa: Emery to check on squad after a busy week
- Everton: Pickford to be assessed, Onana + Garner could return
- Crystal Palace: Mitchell out, Eze “nowhere near”
- Manchester United: Rashford ill, Lindelof out
- Brighton and Albion: Dunk, Dahoud + Lallana available
- Wolverhampton Wanderers: Sa fit, Ait Nouri unlikely
- Sheffield United: Late call on Baldock, two banned
- Luton Town: Kabore ineligible, three could return
- Burnley: Koleosho to miss much of 2023/24
- Fulham: A late call on Muniz + Adama
- Bournemouth: No new concerns, no-one expected back
- Nottingham Forest: Awoniyi + Aurier the only confirmed absentees
VIDEO ROUND-UP
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Son Heung-min will be assessed in training today after he picked up a knock in the defeat to West Ham United.
The South Korea international was visibly in pain following his substitution against the Hammers but he was moving more freely when conducting his post-match interviews.
Ange Postecoglou couldn’t offer us too much new in Friday’s pre-match presser, ahead of the visit of Newcastle United.
“Nothing new really, last update I got was late last night. He’s a bit sore after the game, we’ll see how recovers today.” – Ange Postecoglou on Son Heung-min
Postecoglou otherwise reported “some knocks” without naming names, although Pedro Porro was apparently spotted limping after the game.
“There were a couple of others with some knocks but I don’t think anything else significant.” – Ange Postecoglou
Spurs will again be without Eric Dier (groin), James Maddison (ankle), Micky van de Ven (hamstring), Manor Solomon (knee), Ivan Perisic (knee), Ryan Sessegnon (hamstring), Alfie Whiteman (ankle), Ashley Phillips (ankle) and Rodrigo Bentancur (ankle).
BRENTFORD
Bryan Mbeumo will miss the trip to Sheffield United with the ankle injury he picked up in midweek.
It’s an issue that will keep him out for “weeks”, with an exact timeframe still to come from the Bees.
“It is bad. He’ll have a scan later, but we don’t know the exact number of weeks he will be out.
“He will definitely not play on Saturday [against Sheffield United], and he will be out for weeks. We will know more in the next couple of days.” – Thomas Frank on Bryan Mbeumo
- READ MORE: Who are the best Mbeumo replacements in FPL?
Aaron Hickey (hamstring), Kevin Schade (muscle), Rico Henry (knee), Josh Dasilva (hamstring), Ivan Toney (suspended), Nathan Collins (ankle) and Kristoffer Ajer (foot) remain on the sidelines.
Brentford also may not take a risk on Mathias Jensen, whose return from an adductor injury is imminent.
“[Mathias] Jensen will be a decision I need to make in the next 24 hours, whether I want to push him to be ready or be a little more cautious and have him ready for Villa. I will assess him in the next 24 hours.” – Thomas Frank
Christian Norgaard returns from a ban.
LIVERPOOL
Alisson (muscle) could make a swift return from injury, having trained fully with the team on Thursday.
“Alisson looks good, I don’t know if good enough now for tomorrow – I will have to check that with the coaches, the medical department and with Ali, of course.
“Yesterday he trained normally.” – Jurgen Klopp
Alexis Mac Allister is a major doubt, however, having picked up a knock on Wednesday.
“Macca doesn’t look good. We will have to see day by day, we were hopeful after the game that it was not that serious. And it’s not that serious but in our period of the year, if you’re out for five days it’s 12 games pretty much. We have to wait there [and see] how he shows up here today. I don’t expect him to be ready for tomorrow, don’t know about Thursday or Sunday after that.” – Jurgen Klopp
Andrew Robertson (shoulder), Stefan Bajcetic (calf), Thiago Alcantara (hip), Diogo Jota (muscle) and Joel Matip (knee) remain sidelined.
ARSENAL
Mikel Arteta expects everyone who featured at Luton Town in midweek to be fit for the trip to Villa Park.
The Arsenal boss was asked about Gabriel Martinelli in particular after the Brazilian received some rough treatment from the Hatters.
“I think everybody is going to be okay.” – Mikel Arteta
Arteta had earlier in the week confirmed that Takehiro Tomiyasu (calf) would be “out for a while”.
Fabio Vieira (groin), Thomas Partey (muscle), Jurrien Timber (knee) and Emile Smith Rowe (knee) are also still sidelined.
“We are quite short with five key players for us not being available for us for a bit of time, but we have to continue.
“We don’t know [how long Partey will be out for], he’s getting a very good evolution in the injury but it’s a bit early to get a timeframe. That would be incredibly fast if he’s able to do that, so we’re going to have to wait.” – Mikel Arteta
Arteta was also asked about David Raya‘s mistakes in midweek.
“Look at his form and what he has achieved since he’s been with us, it’s really impressive, but what can I say? I have three great goalkeepers. I’m really happy. I have great wingers, some of them are on the bench, but the questions are not related to them and we have to accept that.
“As well, we have to support our players in the best possible way, we have to protect them and we have to get the best out of them. So, I would focus much more on that. Every player needs the right support, the right love, and they deserve that.” – Mikel Arteta on David Raya
MANCHESTER CITY
Jack Grealish and Rodri return from suspension, while Kevin De Bruyne (hamstring) remains out.
The Belgian is back running and was named in the City squad for the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup but Pep Guardiola fears the trip to Saudi Arabia will come too soon.
There was no update on Jeremy Doku, who missed the defeat at Aston Villa with an unspecified injury.
WEST HAM UNITED
David Moyes said on Friday morning that he had “no team news to give out”, having not had the chance to check on his players after the win at Tottenham Hotspur.
The Hammers had been in action just 12 hours before Moyes faced the media in his pre-match presser.
The concern is over Alphonse Areola, who missed out in Gameweek 15 with a wrist injury.
Moyes did, at least, give us more of an update on the budget FPL goalkeeper after full-time at Spurs.
“Not quite sure yet. He’s just got a little bit of ligament damage in his wrist, so we’re not quite sure if he’s ready. We thought he would be ready for tonight [v Spurs], so we’ll find out.” – David Moyes on when we can expect to see Alphonse Areola again
Moyes praised stand-in goalkeeper Łukasz Fabiański‘s performance as “excellent” in north London.
Michail Antonio (hamstring) is expected to remain out.
NEWCASTLE UNITED
Eddie Howe carried out his Gameweek 16 media duties immediately after the defeat to Everton, so he and the Magpies hadn’t had time to assess properly any fresh concerns from Goodison Park.
Howe did say that Jamaal Lascelles likely only had a dead leg when limping off later on, while he also revealed that Martin Dubravka took a couple of knocks to his back in his first league start of 2023/24.
“I think he got a couple of knocks in the game. I don’t know of any permanent problem to his back.” – Eddie Howe on Martin Dubravka
“Well I don’t think it’s a serious one, I think it’s a dead leg – a knock to his thigh, I think. Fingers crossed he’ll be OK but I don’t know.” – Eddie Howe on Jamaal Lascelles
Harvey Barnes (toe), Joe Willock (Achilles), Callum Wilson (hamstring), Sean Longstaff (ankle) and Sven Botman (knee) are all nearing a return.
“A lot of the players that are injured were working today at the training ground so we are hopeful that we can get some support.” – Eddie Howe
Jacob Murphy (shoulder), Elliot Anderson (back), Matt Targett (hamstring), Dan Burn (back), Sandro Tonali (ban) and Javier Manquillo (groin) are also on the unavailable list.
CHELSEA
Conor Gallagher is available again after serving a one-match ban last weekend.
Lesley Ugochukwo (muscle), Ben Chilwell (hamstring), Wesley Fofana (knee), Trevoh Chalobah (hamstring) and Carney Chukwuemeka (knee) remain on the injury list, however.
Romeo Lavia (ankle) and Christopher Nkunku (knee) are back in training but also look set to miss out, with Mauricio Pochettino saying that he didn’t expect the latter to feature.
Malo Gusto (knee) stands a better chance of being involved, however.
The name of Noni Madueke (muscle) was absent from the weekly medical bulletin so he is assumed to be fit.
ASTON VILLA
Unai Emery will assess his squad ahead of Saturday’s clash with Arsenal, which will be Villa’s third match in seven days.
“We are going to train in two hours. We had to rest a lot after the match we played on Wednesday, we (also) played on Sunday and last Thursday.
“And the players at the beginning, we are not having a lot of information about some injuries.
“But it’s going to be very, very important the last day until tomorrow, how the players as well can tell me physically and mentally how they are for tomorrow.” – Unai Emery
Long-term absentees Tyrone Mings (knee) and Emi Buendia (knee) remain out, while Bertrand Traore (unspecified) hasn’t been seen since the international break.
EVERTON
Sean Dyche is hoping to have James Garner (illness) and Amadou Onana (calf) back for the visit of Chelsea.
“Jimmy, I hope. It’s a sickness bug and you never know, but they can pass very quickly. As we know – we’ve all had one – [it can be] 24 hours, but there are some longer ones.
“We hope it’s a 24-hour situation, so he’d have time to get food back in himself and feel stronger again.
“Amadou, we’re hoping will be around it – possibly in the squad. We’ll just have to wait and see how the next couple of days of training go.” – Sean Dyche
The Toffees will have to check on the minor injuries that Jordan Pickford and Seamus Coleman picked up on Thursday night, however.
“We’ll check on Seamus tomorrow. He has a minor situation, we think, which is unfortunate but that can happen. He has been out a long time. It’s great to have him back, he wore the armband with pride like he does.
“[Pickford] has just got a niggly thing on his knee. I’ll find out more tomorrow, you never like to talk about it until you find out 24 to 48 hours later. I don’t think it’s anything too serious.” – Sean Dyche
CRYSTAL PALACE
Tyrick Mitchell has joined the Crystal Palace injury list after sustaining a hip problem in midweek.
Roy Hodgson also said in Friday’s presser that Eberechi Eze (ankle) is “nowhere near” a return and is still in a protective boot.
Cheick Doucoure (Achilles), Rob Holding (ankle), Jesurun Rak-Sakyi (hamstring), Dean Henderson (thigh) and Nathan Ferguson (hamstring) remain out.
Hodgson said he would have to make a call on whether Michael Olise starts, given his recent recovery from injury and the tight turnaround this week.
MANCHESTER UNITED
Erik ten Hag challenged Marcus Rashford to follow the leads of Scott McTominay and Harry Maguire and win his place back – although media reports late on Friday suggest he’s a doubt for the visit of Bournemouth due to illness.
Rashford was benched for the 2-1 win over Chelsea.
“So Rashford is an incredible, good player. You can’t do it with 11 players, he can’t play every game, he’s not in this moment in the form he was last year but I am sure he will get there.
“What I said about Scott McTominay and Harry Maguire: up to them. The team will always line themselves up and the best players who form the best team will play.
“I think we have a squad and in the squad there is internal competition. If you want a successful season you need more than 11 players.
“Finally, as in every season, it will turn and in every season it’s what is the best team. From when they were here, they (Maguire and McTominay) are great players and played into the team. That’s what you expect from every player, there has to be dedication to aim for this.” – Erik ten Hag on Marcus Rashford
Raphael Varane is available after missing out in Gameweek 16 with a sore back but United have now lost the services of Victor Lindelof, who is sidelined for Saturday’s game.
Jadon Sancho (disciplinary), Casemiro (ankle), Tyrell Malacia (knee) and Lisandro Martinez (foot) will also miss out.
Mason Mount (calf), Amad Diallo (knee) and Christian Eriksen (knee) are thought to be close to a return, with Amad spotted in training on Friday.
BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION
Lewis Dunk and Mahmoud Dahoud return from bans, while Adam Lallana is available again after missing out in midweek.
Solly March (knee), Danny Welbeck (muscle), Julio Enciso (knee), Adam Webster (unspecified), Pervis Estupinan (muscle), Ansu Fati (muscle) and Tariq Lamptey (muscle) remain on the sidelines through injury.
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS
Jose Sa has been declared “100% fit” after recovering from the back problem that forced a Gameweek 15 no-show.
Pedro Neto (hamstring) is still a couple of weeks away, however, while Gary O’Neil said that Rayan Ait-Nouri (ankle) hasn’t recovered as quickly as hoped and looks unlikely to feature.
“His ankle is still a little bit sore and he’s not progressed quite as quickly as we would have hoped.
“We were hoping he’d do the last two days training and he didn’t manage to train yesterday and only did a little bit today, so we’ll assess him again in the morning, but it’s probably likely that Rayan won’t be available tomorrow.” – Gary O’Neil on Rayan Ait-Nouri
“The plan is to do one more week, or maybe five days, with the fitness coach and then come back into the group to join us for training.
“He’ll then be back available from then, hopefully. It’ll take a little bit of time to build him up.” – Gary O’Neil on Pedro Neto
Joe Hodge (shoulder) and Jonny Otto (disciplinary) remain unavailable for selection.
SHEFFIELD UNITED
Chris Wilder says that the Blades will make a late call on whether to include George Baldock (unspecified injury) in the squad to face Brentford.
Oli McBurnie and Oliver Norwood are banned.
Chris Basham (leg), Tom Davies (thigh), John Egan (leg) and Daniel Jebbison (illness) also remain out but Rhian Brewster (knee) and Rhys Norrington-Davies (hamstring) have been spotted in training recently.
LUTON TOWN
Loanee Issa Kabore can’t face his parent club but Rob Edwards hopes to have Tom Lockyer (back), Marvelous Nakamba (knee) and Albert Sambi Lokonga (hamstring) back this weekend.
Daniel Potts (ankle), Mads Andersen (hamstring), Reece Burke (hamstring) and Cauley Woodrow (calf) remain out.
BURNLEY
The Clarets have been dealt a big blow with the news that Luca Koleosho looks set to miss much of what remains of 2023/24 with a knee injury.
“It’s bad news for us, he’s going to be out for a while apparently.
“We will do everything we can to make sure he will get back healthy and ready to go again. The key concern now is to make sure he doesn’t sustain any long-term damage because he’s still young, so we’re going to do everything that is right by him.
“I can’t really share the medical details but it appears in a collision, he did something to his knee.
“I’d like to think he will still play this season, but it might be towards the end of the season.” – Vincent Kompany on Luca Koleosho
Josh Cullen (unspecified) and Jack Cork (calf) remain on the sidelines, while it is assumed that Lyle Foster won’t be back for this one as he continues to receive treatment for his mental health.
“Lyle is making good progress.
“I just know that he is getting good care and he’s in a better place than he was four weeks ago now.
“Let’s put it this way, the best I can say is that I’m hopeful it won’t be too long before he’s able to come and help us again.” – Vincent Kompany on Lyle Foster
Jordan Beyer returns from a ban, at least.
FULHAM
Marco Silva will make a late call on Adama Traore (hamstring) and Rodrigo Muniz (knee), who have both rejoined training.
Issa Diop (foot) remains out, however.
BOURNEMOUTH
Andoni Iraola will have the same players available to him for the trip to Manchester United, with no new injury concerns from the win over Crystal Palace.
Hamed Traore (illness), Lloyd Kelly (hamstring), Max Aarons (hamstring), Tyler Adams (hamstring), Alex Scott (knee) and Ryan Fredericks (calf) remain out, while Emi Marcondes got his first minutes of 2023/24 in a behind-closed-doors friendly last week.
“I think we have the same players in the squad.
“Junior (Traore) continues to be ill. He has a temperature, and will not be able to be a part of the squad.
“Lloyd (Kelly) is still not close.
“I think the next one we should recover is Max (Aarons). Max is training on his own but is already outside, and I think he is the next one that we will recover. Tomorrow, no chance. He hasn’t trained with the team. It is also going to be very difficult next weekend, but he is next in line to recover.” – Andoni Iraola
NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Steve Cooper held his pre-match presser barely 12 hours after the crushing defeat at Fulham, so wasn’t able to bring us up to speed on any fresh concerns as he hadn’t seen his players in training yet.
He did at least tell us that Serge Aurier will be out for a “couple of weeks” with a calf strain.
Taiwo Awoniyi (groin) is the only other definite absentee but Willy Boly (hip) came off in Gameweek 14 and didn’t feature in midweek, so could also miss out.
