The pre-match press conferences have started ahead of Gameweek 12 of Fantasy Premier League (FPL).
Five managers are facing reporters on Monday and we’ve got all the key team news updates on this page.
We’re expecting at least nine more top-flight bosses to hold pressers on Tuesday, and we’ll round those up in a separate article tomorrow.
With two Premier League matches taking place on Thursday, however, there’s a good chance that we won’t hear from Messrs Gerrard, Silva, Rodgers and Marsch before Tuesday’s FPL deadline.
KEY UPDATES
PRESS CONFERENCE TIMES
TEAM BY TEAM
BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION
Just when he was threatening to break into the Brighton XI, Kauro Mitoma will miss Gameweek 12 and potentially Gameweek 13
Roberto De Zerbi added that back-up centre-halves Jan Paul van Hecke and Levi Colwill have “some problems” but that the rest of the team are in good condition for the visit of Steve Cooper’s troops.
De Zerbi added that Adam Lallana will start tomorrow.
“We have Colwill with some problems, JP van Hecke the same, but the others are in good condition.
“Mitoma [is out] too for this game for sure, and maybe for Manchester City.
“Tomorrow, Lallana plays for the first XI.” – Roberto De Zerbi
In his post-match interview on Friday, the Brighton boss said that he doesn’t believe the Seagulls “need to make changes [for Gameweek 12] because the [Brentford] game was good” but did add that fatigue could be a factor.
Jakub Moder (knee) remains out until spring 2023.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST
We finally got confirmation from Steve Cooper that Neco Williams‘ positional rival at Nottingham Forest, Serge Aurier, missed Gameweek 11 through injury.
The Forest boss was typically non-committal on Aurier’s prospects of recovering for Tuesday’s match against Brighton, offering similar updates on Lewis O’Brien (illness) and Renan Lodi (ankle).
“We picked up some injuries last week, and we’re still not ready to make a final decision on whether those lads are back yet. But it’s a three-game week, so that’s sometimes a chance to use more players than normal. We are giving a few every chance to be available.
“Serge has had a bit of an accelerated programme since he came in without really having a pre-season, doing a few days, then going on international duty and playing minutes there, which was important. He played in the Leicester and Villa games. But it has all happened a bit quick, and when you do that you do tend to pick up some niggles, which is what he has. It’s a muscle injury, so we will see what today and tomorrow bring.
“Renan is more of a contact injury than a muscle injury. That is just trying to give him every chance for the kick and the swelling to come down. When that happens, you tend to progress quickly.
“Lewis was different. He was ill with a bug, which really knocked him back. Hopefully he can recover quickly by getting the right nutrition into him and getting the right training programme, because he is a really fit lad.
“With it being Saturday-Tuesday, it’s definitely a possibility that we could look at making some changes. I haven’t made a final decision on that yet, because there’s still quite a bit of preparation to go before the game.
“But, for sure, we have options, even though we have picked up a few knocks in the last couple of weeks. Some players are getting a bit fitter and stronger as well – people like Orel Mangala. He’s had a couple of weeks without any disruption, which has been important because he’s had a frustrating six weeks or so since he got injured. He is getting stronger, with his training programme.
“All of these are things you always have to manage – injuries and availability – especially when they are games in quick succession. At the same time, we will try to do our work wisely and see where we are at come kick-off. We’ll look at what we think it takes to do well in the game, and try to pick the right team.” – Steve Cooper, transcribed in the Nottingham Post
Omar Richards (leg), Moussa Niakhate (muscle) and Jack Colback (back) are again set to miss out.
