There’s much Gameweek 24 team news to dissect as 14 more pre-match press conferences take place on Friday.
All the injury updates and key Fantasy Premier League (FPL) talking points will be covered in this ‘live’ article.
Hit refresh for the latest news from 1pm GMT as this piece will be updated as and when the pressers take place.
The main headlines from Thursday’s half-dozen media gatherings are available to read here.
GAMEWEEK 24 TEAM NEWS: KEY INJURY UPDATES
- Liverpool: Salah remains out but could return next week, Bradley still unavailable
- Arsenal: Saka “looks OK”, Arteta coy on the others
- Newcastle United: Gordon hasn’t trained all week, Isak to miss out
- Tottenham Hotspur: Son + Bissouma back from international duty, Lo Celso trains
- Manchester City: No known concerns for City
- Brighton and Hove Albion: Pedro could be out for weeks
- Aston Villa: Digne back in training and could feature
- Chelsea: Badiashile undergoing a scan, Colwill could be available
- Wolverhampton Wanderers: Hwang returns and is ready to start, no injuries
- West Ham United: Paqueta still out, Antonio in training but not match fit
- Luton Town: Mengi a doubt, new signing not ready
- Fulham: Broja recovers from a knock, Jimenez out for another month at least
- Bournemouth: Four still injured, Billing begins a ban
- Nottingham Forest: Montiel joins Wood on the injury list, Gibbs–White to be assessed
GAMEWEEK 24 TEAM NEWS: FRIDAY’S PRESS CONFERENCE TIMES
LIVERPOOL
Mohamed Salah (hamstring) will miss the visit of Burnley on Saturday but could return to training next week.
Even then, it’s not a given that he’ll be ready for Double Gameweek 25.
“Right direction. We hope, but we don’t know, that he will be a part of parts of training next week but we have to see. He’s going through all the paces now but it’s positive. It’s either next week or the week after. If you ask him, it’s next week!” – Jurgen Klopp on Mohamed Salah
Dominik Szoboszlai (hamstring) is “running outside” but remains sidelined, while Thiago Alcantara has suffered yet another muscle injury and is undergoing assessment to discover the extent of it.
Conor Bradley will also still be unavailable as he is on compassionate leave, with Jurgen Klopp saying that he may return to team training next week.
Stefan Bajcetic (calf), Ben Doak (knee) and Joel Matip (knee) remain out, while Ibrahima Konate is banned.
Klopp also revealed that the Reds had been struggling with some cases of flu this week, which may explain Joe Gomez‘s absence from training on Thursday.
In better news, Wataru Endo is back from international duty and Kostas Tsimikas (collarbone) could be involved after a recent return to training.
ARSENAL
Gabriel Jesus missed out on the win over Liverpool with a knee injury that was only expected to keep him out for “days”, while Oleksandr Zinchenko was withdrawn in that match after feeling discomfort in his calf.
Takehiro Tomiyasu, who is back from international duty after Japan’s elimination from the Asian Cup, should be available.
But Mikel Arteta, as usual, kept things close to his chest when asked about the availability of some of those players.
“We have a few still in contention, they’ve been evolving really well. Tomorrow we have another training session and we are hopeful that we are going to have a few back.” – Mikel Arteta, when asked about Oleksandr Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu
One bit of good news is that Bukayo Saka “looks OK” despite picking up a knock in Gameweek 23.
“Yes, again, he’s been recovering this week and he looks OK.” – Mikel Arteta on Bukayo Saka
Thomas Partey (muscle) remains out after suffering a setback ahead of the win over the Reds. Jurrien Timber (knee) also won’t feature, although the news is relatively good on him as he has been named in Arsenal’s UEFA Champions League squad – suggesting he’s got a part to play before the end of the campaign.
NEWCASTLE UNITED
Anthony Gordon (ankle) hasn’t trained this week, Eddie Howe revealed on Friday.
The winger isn’t thought to be seriously injured, while Howe didn’t say for absolute certain that Gordon would miss the trip to Nottingham Forest.
“He hasn’t trained this week. We don’t think the injury is serious. We’re very hopeful that he can be back sooner rather than later.
“No [I don’t have an idea of when he can train again], not at this moment. Slightly unclear.” – Eddie Howe on Anthony Gordon
- READ MORE: Who are the best Gordon replacements in FPL?
It’s a similar situation for Alexander Isak (groin), who will sit out Gameweek 24’s clash at the City Ground.
“No, Alex won’t make this game. We hope he won’t be too far away for the following games but he doesn’t have a fixed return date yet. He’s making good progress, the injury isn’t as serious as first feared.” – Eddie Howe on Alexander Isak
Callum Wilson looks set to start up front in Isak’s stead.
“He’s trained well this week, we’ve been really pleased with him. I thought he did well last week in a 45-minute cameo. Prior to that game, he hadn’t really trained a great deal with the team so he was thrust back into action. But he looks good, he is getting his sharpness back and has had a good week in front of goal. So yeah, I’d say he is [ready to start].” – Eddie Howe on Callum Wilson
Joelinton (quad), Sandro Tonali (ban), Nick Pope (shoulder), Joe Willock (Achilles), Elliot Anderson (back) and Matt Targett (hamstring) also remain out.
Jamaal Lascelles (calf) was said to be “close” to a return by assistant boss Jason Tindall last week but failed to feature against Luton Town in the eight-goal thriller on Tyneside.
Away from injury news, Howe launched another defence of Dan Burn amid calls for Tino Livramento to come in at left-back.
“Dan has been such a big player for us. He’s pivotal to how we play in lots of different ways. That’s why he was such a big miss when we lost him through injury. He’s also a huge leader of the group, a very big presence physically but also vocally. That leadership can’t be underestimated.
“That doesn’t guarantee him a place in the team, of course, but it’s just to understand his qualities.
“[Tino] is an outstanding player. That’s why I fought so hard to sign him, a real talent. Of course, his best years are ahead of him. I’m the biggest fan of Tino that there can be.
“His challenge is his primary position is right-back and he’s fighting with Kieran [Trippier] – we’ve spoke at length about Kieran’s qualities and what he brings to the team. But he will no doubt get his time and hopefully play a lot of games for this football club.
“I do love him at left-back, as well. I think he’s done extremely well there when you consider that’s not his strongest side. I think he’s been incredible in that position, as well.” – Eddie Howe
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Son Heung-min and Yves Bissouma have returned from international duty after their countries were knocked out of the Asian Cup and Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) respectively.
They’ll both be available this weekend, although Ange Postecoglou did highlight Son’s recent minutes when abroad.
“Yeah, they’re good.
“Biss had a bit of a longer trip, Sonny had a pretty tough tournament with a lot of extra times and late finishes.
“Both trained today and both are in good spirits.” – Ange Postecoglou on Son Heung-min and Yves Bissouma
Giovani Lo Celso (hamstring) has rejoined training but Manor Solomon (knee) and Ryan Sessegnon (hamstring) remain out.
MANCHESTER CITY
Pep Guardiola was in the enviable and rare position of having all of his squad fit and available for selection in Gameweek 23.
No obvious fitness concerns emerged from Monday’s win at Brentford, either.
Asked if that was the case, as well as about John Stones’ chances of starting, Guardiola turned to his trusty ‘we’ll see after training’ response.
“We have a training session after, in a few hours, we will see how everyone is. We’ll see.” – Pep Guardiola
BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION
Brighton will be without Joao Pedro for Saturday’s trip to north London as the Brazilian striker has a hamstring injury.
Assistant coach Andrea Maldera, in for Roberto De Zerbi, said that the forward may be out of action for “weeks”.
Kauro Mitoma is available after returning from the Asian Cup but a decision has not yet been made on whether he will start or be on the bench against Spurs.
“Joao Pedro unfortunately has an injury in the hamstring and he cannot play tomorrow, 100%. He had a scan two days ago but he needs another one this week. We don’t know how many weeks but it’s an injury on the hamstring and we don’t want to take a risk.
“[Kaoru] is available, sure. But Roberto hasn’t decided [if he should start], he has asked us how he works. He has worked well but he has travelled a lot. I think we make the decision this evening or tomorrow morning. He is for sure in the squad but we don’t know if he can start, we are not sure. But he is with us and is an important player.” – Andrea Maldera
Solly March (knee) remains on the Brighton treatment table and Simon Adingra is still away at AFCON but Joel Veltman (knee) and Julio Enciso (knee) have both returned to training this week, even if match fitness is likely to be an issue.
ASTON VILLA
Lucas Digne (hamstring) has returned to training and could make the Aston Villa squad for Sunday’s clash with Manchester United.
Pau Torres (ankle) and Nicolo Zaniolo (minor unknown issue) had previously recovered to make the midweek cup tie with Chelsea.
Unai Emery confirmed ahead of that defeat to the Blues that Ezra Konsa would be out for three to four weeks with the knee injury he sustained in last Saturday’s win over Sheffield United.
Jhon Duran (hamstring), Tyrone Mings (knee) and Emi Buendia (knee) are longer-term absentees.
“We have a new goalkeeper, Joe Gauci.
“The players who had injuries are recovering, Lucas and Pau Torres.
“Still out, Konsa and Jhon Durán.
“I think all the other players will be available for Sunday.” – Unai Emery
CHELSEA
It could be one in, one out for Chelsea centre-halves on Monday night.
Benoit Badiashile (muscle) faces a scan after hobbling out of the win over Aston Villa in midweek but Levi Colwill (tendon) could be back from a short-term lay-off to face Crystal Palace.
“Badiashile, we need to assess him. Still, we need to wait for the scan. Maybe Levi Colwill, we need to wait until Sunday to see if it’s possible [for him] to be available.” – Mauricio Pochettino
Romeo Lavia (thigh), Lesley Ugochukwu (hamstring), Reece James (hamstring), Marc Cucurella (knee) and Wesley Fofana (knee) are still out, while Robert Sanchez (knee) has only made a “partial” return to training as his comeback nears.
Trevoh Chalobah (hamstring) has been absent all season but has rejoined training in the last few weeks and will soon come into first-team contention.
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS
There are no injury concerns for Wolves after their excellent win at Stamford Bridge.
They also have Boubacar Traore and Hwang Hee–chan back to make it a fully available squad, as those players’ involvement in their respective international competitions has now ended.
Gary O’Neil confirmed that the pair could start if needed but added that Hwang would also be a “fantastic option” from the bench if he doesn’t make the line–up.
“Both fit, yeah, both available to start, so there will be some decisions to make.
“[Hwang] had a few niggles and injury issues that he had to contend with while he was there. Disappointed for him that he wasn’t quite able to go all the way but the upside to that is that we get him back one game earlier than we were expecting.
“He gives us a fantastic option, whether that be from the start or from the bench.” – Gary O’Neil on Boubacar Traore and Hwang Hee–chan
O’Neil added that there were a few minor illnesses in the Wolves camp earlier in the week but that everyone was in training on Friday.
WEST HAM UNITED
David Moyes confirmed on Friday that Lucas Paquetá (calf) isn’t ready to return from injury.
Michail Antonio (knee) has started training in the last two days but is still “off it in terms of match fitness and being available”.
“Lucas Paquetá won’t be available. He’s not ready yet. Michail Antonio has started a couple of days’ training, but I have to say he’s only trained two days with the group.
“He is looking okay, but he has been out for the best part of three months, so he’s still off it as far as being much fit and available at the moment.” – David Moyes
There was nothing on Alphonse Areola, who came off last weekend.
Moyes had previously said that Areola was “fine” and that the substitution was precautionary.
LUTON TOWN
Teden Mengi picked up an ankle knock in training on Thursday and will be a doubt for the game on Saturday.
Rob Edwards added new signing Daiki Hashioka is “still adjusting” to the squad and won’t be involved this weekend.
Marvelous Nakamba (knee), Tom Lockyer (health) and Mads Andersen (calf) are also sidelined.
“Mads isn’t OK, no. Teden has got a slight ankle knock, he felt that in training yesterday. Other than that, it’s as we were.” – Rob Edwards
FULHAM
Raul Jimenez is expected to be unavailable for another month at least because of his hamstring issue, while Kenny Tete has joined him on the sidelines thanks to a minor Achilles injury.
Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey also remain on international duty, while it is assumed that Issa Diop (hamstring) is still absent.
Armando Broja is fine, however, despite suffering a knock on his Fulham debut.
Harry Wilson (shoulder) and Adama Traore (hamstring) will also be back involved.
BOURNEMOUTH
Bournemouth will again be without Max Aarons (hamstring), James Hill (ankle), Tyler Adams (hamstring) and Ryan Fredericks (calf).
Philip Billing begins a three-match ban, too, following his dismissal against Nottingham Forest in Gameweek 23.
Andoni Iraola confirmed that everyone else is available, including Ryan Christie (dead leg).
New signing Enes Unal will be part of Cherries’ squad this weekend, however, after visa issues were sorted.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Nuno Espirito Santo said on Friday that Gonzalo Montiel (hamstring) has joined Chris Wood (hamstring) on the sidelines after the midweek cup success over Bristol City.
“Some knocks, some situations that always cause problems. We have Gonzalo out, Gonzalo Montiel is not going to be involved, he cannot be. Until the exam [we don’t know for how long], for tomorrow he is not available.
“Some players still have issues, we still have to assess them.” – Nuno Espirito Santo
Nuno later revealed that Morgan Gibbs-White was among the names that needed to be checked on after he suffered “pain and discomfort” on Wednesday.
Ibrahim Sangaré, Willy Boly and Ola Aina all remain on international duty but Cheikhou Kouyaté has returned from Senegal having been granted extra time to stay in his homeland on compassionate grounds.
Callum Hudson-Odoi (knock) and Divock Origi (muscle) were back in the Forest squad against the Robins in midweek.
VIDEO SUMMARY
10 months, 25 days agoBench Solanke or Garnacho this week?