There are 14 pre-match press conferences taking place today and we’ve got the key Fantasy Premier League (FPL) team news for Gameweek 8 here.
There are also quotes from Roberto De Zerbi, who doesn’t appear to be hosting a usual press conference in front of reporters following Brighton and Hove Albion’s clash with Marseille last night.
This is a ‘live’ article and will be updated as and when the pressers are staged on Friday. Make sure to hit refresh for the latest injury updates.
The managers of Sheffield United, Everton, Burnley, Nottingham Forest and Brentford all faced the media on Thursday and the headlines from those press conferences can be found here.
GAMEWEEK 8 TEAM NEWS: INJURY UPDATES
FRIDAY’S PRESS CONFERENCE TIMES
NEWCASTLE UNITED
Sven Botman (knee) won’t make the trip to West Ham United, so the Dutchman stays with Harvey Barnes (toe) and Joe Willock (Achilles) on the injury list.
Anthony Gordon will also sit out Gameweek 8 through suspension, having collected five bookings in the opening seven Gameweeks.
Callum Wilson (hamstring) and Joelinton (hamstring) are the closest to a return, with Wilson pictured in training ahead of the midweek victory over Paris Saint-Germain but not risked for that game.
“I think the injury list doesn’t look great the minute but I don’t think apart from Harvey, there is anything long-term there. Maybe some short-term pain for us.
“We will wait and see how Callum and Joe[linton] are, they are probably the closest. We’ve got Anthony suspended, that’s another blow for us.
“Sven won’t make it.” – Eddie Howe
Emil Krafth (knee) made his playing return after a year-long absence for the under-21s last Friday.
BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION
Pervis Estupinan (muscle) was ruled out for “more or less” a month by Roberto De Zerbi earlier this week, so the Ecuador international joins Julio Enciso (knee) on the sidelines.
“He is injured and he can’t play for a long time, unfortunately. He’s an important player we are losing. We can play in that position with [Tariq] Lamptey, with Igor [Julio], with other players. We have to be ready.
“One month, more or less. I don’t know the right time but it’s not for only one game. Muscular injury.” – Roberto De Zerbi on Pervis Estupinan, speaking in his pre-Europa League presser on Wednesday
James Milner (muscle) and Adam Lallana (minor injury) were again absent for Thursday’s clash with Marseille but Pascal Gross (muscle) returned to play 90 minutes.
In quotes reported by the Argus on Friday morning, De Zerbi discussed Gross, Milner and possible Estupinan understudy Tariq Lamptey.
“I think [Lamptey] was one of the best for us on the pitch. Now the problem is for Sunday because I don’t want to take risks with him. He was injured in the last part of last season and the first part of this season.
“At the moment it is very tough because we lost Pervis.
“I don’t know if we can play with James Milner. We have to analyse the Pascal Gross situation because for him it was the first game after injury.
“It is a tough moment but I think we can play well anyway.” – Roberto De Zerbi
WEST HAM UNITED
Michail Antonio (adductor), Ben Johnson (groin) and Aaron Cresswell (hamstring) missed Thursday’s trip to Freiburg.
David Moyes revealed on Friday morning that Antonio had not yet trained but had done some running with the medical team, so the striker will be assessed before Sunday’s clash with Newcastle.
“I will need to see [if Michail is available]. He’s not trained yet. He has done some running with the medical people, so over the next couple of days, hopefully we will find out if he is fit to play.” – David Moyes
Jarrod Bowen was trialled as the central striker against Freiburg so will be on standby to deputise in that position this weekend.
“I thought the forward players, especially in the early part of the game, played really well. I just felt it was maybe the right time to see if we could have a look at Jarrod at centre-forward in a really serious game. It wasn’t a pre-season friendly, it was a game with a lot riding on it, and I thought him and Lucas [Paqueta] did a brilliant job.
“We’re needing more options, more variables in what we’re going to do in the forward areas. Last night gave me some other ideas.” – David Moyes
BOURNEMOUTH
Having only just returned to playing action, Tyler Adams (hamstring) has had a huge setback and could be set for another lengthy period on the sidelines.
“We don’t expect him soon again with us. The medical staff is analysing the situation, they are asking different specialists to take the best route. We still haven’t decided but whatever the solution we take, we don’t expect him soon on the pitch.” – Andoni Iraola on Tyler Adams
Andoni Iraola doesn’t expect anyone else to recover for Gameweek 8, so Ryan Fredericks (calf), Emiliano Marcondes (foot), Alex Scott (knee), Chris Mepham (“small injury”) and Lloyd Kelly (calf) look set to stay on the sidelines.
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