There’ll be plenty of team news to wade through ahead of Gameweek 4 after the usual round of international break knocks and niggles.
Happily, the pre-match press conferences get underway on Thursday.
There are only four managers scheduled to face the media today: Graham Potter, Regis Le Bris, Daniel Farke and the headline act, new Nottingham Forest boss Ange Postecoglou.
We’re bringing you the latest key quotes and injury updates in the article below.
KEY GAMEWEEK 4 INJURY UPDATES FROM THURSDAY
- Nottingham Forest: Aina sent for scans, Zinchenko ineligible to face parent club
- Leeds United: Perri out, Rodon fit, Piroe + Nmecha doubts, Tanaka + Ampadu train
- West Ham United: Fullkrug nursing calf strain, no other worries
- Sunderland: Ballard still out, Le Bris on Brobbey, no fresh concerns
THURSDAY’S PRESS CONFERENCE TIMES
NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Ola Aina (hamstring) looks set to miss the trip to Arsenal with an injury picked up over the international break.
“Basically, I think we’ve got a clean bill of health except for Aina, who’s just come back. He had an issue with the national team, we’ve sent him for some scans and we’ll get some information this afternoon.” – Ange Postecoglou on Ola Aina
One potential replacement for the Nigerian, loanee Oleksandr Zinchenko, can’t feature either because Forest are facing his parent club.
New Forest boss Ange Postecoglou said the Tricky Trees otherwise had a fully fit squad.
“The rest of the boys, today is the first time I’ve had my eyes on them but they’re all fine and should be available for the weekend.” – Ange Postecoglou
Inevitably, Postecoglou was asked about his style of football given the on-paper differences to his predecessor.
“I do like my teams to play exciting football, score goals and get fans excited, for sure. I make no apologies about that, that’s just the way I am and the way I want to see my teams play. We want to dominate the ball, we want to put pressure on the opposition, we want to score goals, but all of it with the end goal of winning football games because that’s what excites me more than anything else. If you win games then you can win trophies. From my perspective, I see a group of players and the opportunity to build something that I think – not just for Forest fans but for everyone watching the game – will be good to watch.” – Ange Postecoglou
“It’ll be a gradual process but I think you know if you look at the squad and even the first two or three games, I think Nuno himself was probably transitioning to something a little bit different from what it was.” – Ange Postecoglou
The forme Spurs boss also hinted at rotation to come when Forest’s European campaign gets underway.
“I think all clubs that are in Europe know it’s a real challenge with the demands on players these days and I really like the squad. I think it’s got great sort of balance in terms of being able to cover most positions for the rotations you need.” – Ange Postecoglou
LEEDS UNITED
Lucas Perri (quad) will miss Gameweeks 4 and 5, so Karl Darlow looks set to deputise between the posts at Craven Cottage this weekend.
“We had a scan, there’s a muscle strain, and he will definitely miss the next two games – the Fulham game and also the next away game – and then we’ll see, we’ll have a bit more clarity on when he will return. But definitely out for the next two games.” – Daniel Farke on Lucas Perri
“He will come in. I’m pretty sure he will deliver a top performance also in the weekend.” – Daniel Farke on Karl Darlow
There are two doubts at the other end of the pitch, too, with Joel Piroe (calf) and Lukas Nmecha (foot) both concerns.
“A little question mark behind Lukas Nmecha, he got a hit on his foot, has missed training yesterday. Also Joel Piroe, he got a hit on his calf, a big bruise on his calf. We have to wait how their bodies react in the next 48 hours, so little doubts behind them.” – Daniel Farke
Ethan Ampadu (knee) and Ao Tanaka (knee) have resumed training this week, with the Whites set to make a late call on their involvement.
“Both since the beginning of this week integrated into major parts of training. Ethan Ampadu even slightly more than Ao Tanaka because he was slightly ahead of schedule in terms of his injury but we have also 48 more hours and we’ll take a late decision on them.” – Daniel Farke on Ethan Ampadu and Ao Tanaka
Joe Rodon is at least fit and “ready to go” after withdrawing from international duty with Wales.
Sam Byram, who took a whack to the face over the break, is also available after passing concussion protocols.
With Piroe and Nmecha doubts, it could be time for Dominic Calvert-Lewin to get his first Leeds start.
“Dominic, we don’t have to speak about his quality. He has proven more than enough with more than 250 games at Premier League level with so many goals, I think 60 goals, several England caps, also goals for England, what he’s capable to do once he’s fit.
“He’s four weeks in team training. Of course, he can’t be there at 100% for that. He needs game time and rhythm, but each and every day is is beneficial. The longer he stays fit, the longer he is with us in team training, I also agree he looked sharp in the last game, the more likely it is that he gets more and more minutes and of course he’s also in contention for the game on the weekend.” – Daniel Farke on Dominic Calvert-Lewin
WEST HAM UNITED
Niclas Fullkrug will be assessed for a minor calf complaint ahead of the visit of Tottenham Hotspur.
The Hammers have no other fresh concerns, although Luis Guilherme (collarbone) remains out.
“No absentees. We’ve got Niclas Füllkrug, who has had a slight issue with his calf from international duty. So, he came early. He’s trained lightly today but we’ll see how he reacts. Apart from that, everybody is okay.” – Graham Potter
Despite Fullkrug’s troubles, it may be too soon for a start for Callum Wilson.
“I think that’s something we have to take a decision on. I think it’s a big ask. Like I said, he hasn’t been with us that long and missed team training in pre-season. So, it’s always in the back of our mind. We have to do the right thing for him and for the team but I think he’s the type of professional that regardless of whether he starts or finishes, he can have a great impact for us.” – Graham Potter on whether Callum Wilson is ready to start
Lukasz Fabianski has rejoined the club this week but it does seem that the veteran Pole will be there more in a cheerleading capacity this season.
“I think it’s both but I don’t think he’d mind me saying he’s not at the start of his career. He’s towards the end of his career. There’s still still life there for sure but he’s starting think about, “Okay, what does life look afterwards as well?”. And then, supporting the team and helping the players that are here.” – Graham Potter on whether Lukasz Fabianski will play more of a part off the grass than on it
SUNDERLAND
Romaine Mundle (hamstring) and Dan Ballard (groin) remain on the Sunderland injury list ahead of the trip to Selhurst Park.
Mundle is out until after the October international break but Ballard could return as soon as Gameweek 5.
“Probably the next international break in October.” – Regis Le Bris on Romain Mundle
“Probably for Aston Villa.” – Regis Le Bris on Dan Ballard
Aji Alese (shoulder) and Luke O’Nien (shoulder) could also be back for the Villa game but Dennis Cirkin (wrist) and Leo Hjelde (Achilles) have had setbacks and need a period of rest.
“For Dennis, we have to wait a bit. Things didn’t heal properly after his wrist injury, and he has been complaining of his knee as well. He needs to rest a bit.
“Luke should be ready around Aston Villa, but Leo has struggled with his Achilles and will be a bit longer than expected as well. He had the surgery for both (of his Achilles) and worked hard last season to be connected with the squad, even if it was painful. But now, like Dennis, he has to rest completely to be able to connect with the squad again later.
“Aji is close to coming back, but after a long period without playing it is still hard for him to reconnect with the level, so we will have to be patient.” – Regis Le Bris, in quotes from the Northern Echo
Regis Le Bris added that his internationals have returned unscathed.
The Sunderland boss said “we’ll see” when asked if Eliezer Mayenda would keep his place up top. Not only is the striker under pressure from Gameweek 3 goalscorer Wilson Isidor but the Black Cats have also added Bryan Brobbey to their ranks on deadline day.
“A different profile. A pure striker with the ability to hold the ball, to run in behind and I think he’s good finisher with a different physical profile.
“Eli, Wilson and Bryan are different so for a manager, for a squad, if we can manage different options according to what is needed in a game, it’s better.” – Regis Le Bris on Bryan Brobbey
It does sound like Brobbey, along with fellow late arrivals Bertrand Traore and Lutsharel Geertrudia, will be used as a substitute at first.
“I don’t know for Bertrand [his fitness levels] because Bertrand was with his national team during this period. So, we’ll see this afternoon.
“For the two others, they seem okay. Probably not ready for 90 minutes right now, but they should be ready quickly, I think.” – Regis Le Bris, in quotes from the Northern Echo
