We’ll be getting team news from 13 Premier League managers on Friday as we count down to the early Gameweek 9 deadline.
The top-flight bosses we’re expecting to hear from include Mikel Arteta, who will hopefully provide us with the latest on Bukayo Saka (£10.0m). Don’t hold your breath…
As usual, we’ll bring you the key Fantasy Premier League (FPL) updates on this page.
This is a ‘live’ article, so it’ll be updated as and when manager quotes become available. Keep refreshing for the latest news!
For the headlines from the seven pressers held already, read our Thursday round-up here.
GAMEWEEK 9: FRIDAY’S KEY TEAM NEWS UPDATES
GAMEWEEK 9: FRIDAY’S PRESS CONFERENCE TIMES
*Since the above list was posted, Enzo Maresca and Erik ten Hag have been confirmed at 1pm and 1.30pm respectively. Times in BST.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Son Heung-min‘s comeback from injury looks set to be short-lived, with Ange Postecoglou saying his winger was “unlikely” to be fit to face Crystal Palace.
“Sonny is still not right, he’s still not feeling 100% . He won’t train today so unlikely for the weekend and we’ll see how he is beyond that.” – Ange Postecoglou
Djed Spence (groin) is expected to return to full training next week, meanwhile.
The Lilywhites at least have no other major concerns from Thursday’s win over AZ Alkmaar. Wilson Odobert (hamstring) returned as a substitute in that game.
“Last night all good, no issues last night. Obviously, a bit of fatigue with some of the boys because they haven’t played for a while. All good.” – Ange Postecoglou
Beyond injury news, there was plenty of chat about James Maddison. The playmaker was hooked at the interval in Gameweek 9, while a start with the second string on Thursday may have raised alarm bells about his game-time on Sunday.
“I think I made the point, it’s not that Madders didn’t play well [v West Ham]. I thought he actually played well in the first half, it was just a tactical change I thought was needed for the team to win.
“I understand the players obviously want to play all the time but yeah, I thought he was really good last night, I thought his leadership throughout the game was good in the way he played. He was really positive on the ball and kind of when we needed moments of creativity or discipline, he was there.
“Look, he’s a vice-captain, he’s one of our leaders and last night I thought he really stood up and played well – but I thought he played well at the weekend, too.” – Ange Postecoglou on James Maddison
MANCHESTER CITY
Kevin De Bruyne (thigh), Kyle Walker (knee), Jack Grealish (unknown) and Jeremy Doku (unknown) will all miss the visit of Southampton on Saturday.
“No, not yet.” – Pep Guardiola when asked if he had any hope of Kevin De Bruyne or Kyle Walker returning this weekend
“I don’t know.
“Hopefully he can come back soon but I don’t know yet. I would like to tell you but I don’t know.” – Pep Guardiola on when Kevin De Bruyne
“No.” – Pep Guardiola on whether Jeremy Doku or Jack Grealish will be fit
Rodri (knee) and Oscar Bobb (leg) are also long-term absentees, of course.
As well as injury news, Pep Guardiola was asked about Phil Foden‘s form in Friday’s presser.
“I’m not concerned at all about how far he is [from the Foden of last season] because I know that when he is fine, he will get it. He’s a natural talent, he will get it. The first goal against Sparta Praha defined a little bit Phil’s incredible talent, to have solved the game for himself.
“But in a career of many, many years – already Phil has many, many years – you have these bumps, ups and downs a little bit. Try to reduce these short setbacks as quickly as possible. They are human beings. Be patient, let them feel that, these types of players in these types of moments, we are there. Everything is going well.
“Sooner or later… I’m happy to hear that he feels good because in the end, it depends on himself.” – Pep Guardiola on Phil Foden
LIVERPOOL
Diogo Jota will miss the trip to Arsenal this weekend with the rib injury he picked up in Gameweek 8.
Federico Chiesa and Conor Bradley (both unspecified injuries) are doubts for Sunday’s match, too.
“I think they feel good but not when it comes to playing for us during the weekend.
“Federico might train with us today or tomorrow – but Diogo definitely not. And Conor Bradley, let’s see if he can be with us tomorrow.” – Arne Slot
Alisson (hamstring) and Harvey Elliott (foot) remain sidelined.
“He’s progressing well, like we expect, but it’s not a short-term recovery.
“It’s always difficult to judge him. I think the best way to judge an injury is in the end of an injury, the end phase of his rehab, and he’s not there yet.
“So, I can’t tell you how much longer he will be out but don’t expect him to be in against Brighton in the cup or next week.” – Arne Slot on Alisson
The turnaround between midweek European fixture and weekend Premier League game may influence Slot’s Gameweek 9 team selection but the Liverpool boss was quick to point out the extra day of recovery that the Sunday staging allows.
“That’s part of our lives, that’s also what the players are used to if they play Champions League or, like last season, the Europa League. You know that these challenges are there, you know also that they are experienced in this: how to take care of their body, what to do immediately after the game and the days after to prepare yourself in the best possible way.
“We had three days in between, so that’s more than we had before the Leipzig game, it’s also more than we have for the Brighton game. Unfortunately for us, all these three games, we have one day less in recovery than the three teams we face. But that is also part of a season and part of our lives and I think these players are experienced enough, and they get the help of a fantastic staff, to be in the best possible way, physically prepared for that game. It’s my job also to prepare them in a tactical way as well.” – Arne Slot on the congested schedule
NEWCASTLE UNITED
Callum Wilson (back) – who hasn’t featured this season – had been on the cusp of a return but in one of the least surprising team news updates of the day, the striker’s recovery has stalled.
He’ll not be back before Gameweek 11.
“We’re going to lose Callum for the next three games definitely, he’s just had some tightness in his body. He hasn’t felt like he could kick on to that last part that he needed. He had trained with us and had looked really good but with Callum we’re hypersensitive, and he’s hypersensitive, to any reaction to the work.
“He’s got no injury as such, it’s just he’s not ready to come back yet.” – Eddie Howe on Callum Wilson
Elsewhere, Kieran Trippier (hamstring), Jamaal Lascelles (knee) and Sven Botman (knee) remain on the sidelines. Trippier should be back after the next international break, according to Howe.
Matt Targett also hasn’t been spotted since an eczema flare-up in late September.
Martin Dubravka (knee) has been seen back on the grass, however, while the Magpies have no new worries.
“I don’t think we have any fresh problems. Dan Burn was nursing an ankle last week but he managed to play the game, of course, and played well. No, I think we’re pretty good.” – Eddie Howe
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS
Gary O’Neil said on Friday that Sam Johnstone has trained “quite a bit” this week, having missed Gameweek 8 with a minor adductor injury.
The Wolves boss says he is “really clear” on which goalkeeper will start at Brighton.
Hwang Hee-chan (ankle), Yerson Mosquera (knee), Boubacar Traore (knee), Sasa Kalajdzic (knee) and Enso Gonzalez (knee) remain out.
WEST HAM UNITED
Mohammed Kudus begins a three-match ban following his dismissal for violent conduct last weekend.
There was nothing from Julen Lopetegui in terms of fitness updates but Niclas Fullkrug (Achilles) is thought to remain on the injury list.
BOURNEMOUTH
Alex Scott underwent surgery on Thursday to repair a meniscus injury sustained earlier this week. The midfielder will face months on the sidelines as a result.
“Definitely more than six weeks, six weeks was probably if they removed the meniscus. If they repair it, you have to wait more. Now he has to have some time without doing anything, so it will be more – but I don’t know how much.” – Andoni Iraola on Alex Scott
Luis Sinisterra won’t make the trip to Aston Villa, either, but should be back within a week or two.
“Sini is not going to travel, it’s nothing big but he was with some issues after the game against Arsenal. Probably he will be available next week, if not [Manchester] City it’s going to be Brentford.” – Andoni Iraola on Luis Sinisterra
