We can expect lots of injury updates and team news on Friday as 15 managers face the media ahead of Gameweek 23 of Fantasy Premier League (FPL).
This article will be the place to go to catch them all and will be refreshed as and when the afternoon’s pressers go live.
For the key headlines from the five pre-match press conferences held on Thursday, visit this article.
GAMEWEEK 23 TEAM NEWS: FRIDAY’S PRESS CONFERENCE TIMES
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GAMEWEEK 23 TEAM NEWS: FRIDAY’S KEY INJURY UPDATES
LIVERPOOL
Darwin Nunez is a concern for Sunday’s clash with Arsenal after picking up an injury in Liverpool’s win over Chelsea in midweek.
The Uruguayan had his foot trodden on early in the game but completed 90 minutes.
However, he left Anfield in a protective boot.
A scan has shown no serious damage but Jurgen Klopp said on Friday that the striker would have to be assessed.
“I don’t know if Darwin is available or not. Darwin had, after 20 minutes, somebody stepped on his foot and it was very painful after the game. He only took the boot off after the game because he didn’t want to see it before. He knew there is something.
“So, he left the stadium in a [protective] boot – and it was not a football boot. Nothing broke, X-ray clear but swollen. We have to see if he can get this foot back into a boot or not because we all know that takes time. I didn’t see him this morning, so we have to wait a little bit.” – Jurgen Klopp
There was nothing else on the team news front from the Reds’ boss, not that we were expecting anyone else to return.
Mohamed Salah (hamstring) had previously been ruled out of this game by Klopp, although the Egyptian has been pictured doing some jogging this week so might not be too far away come Gameweek 24.
Kostas Tsimikas (collarbone) and Stefan Bajcetic (calf) are nearing returns but remain out, while Ben Doak (knee) and Joel Matip (knee) are longer-term absentees.
Thiago Alcantara (hip) has returned to training recently but also needs more time to build up match fitness, while Wataru Endo is still at the Asian Cup with Japan.
Away from injury news, did Klopp drop a hint that Liverpool were indeed going to get the much-hyped Double Gameweek 25?
“This week between Arsenal and Burnley is probably the only week, as far as I know, where we play only one… there’s no midweek game. After that we go again with all three days, I think.” – Jurgen Klopp
NEWCASTLE UNITED
Alexander Isak (groin) has avoided serious injury and could even be involved against Luton Town on Saturday, despite limping out of the win over Aston Villa in midweek.
And there was further positive news from Newcastle assistant boss Jason Tindall, who revealed that Callum Wilson (calf), Harvey Barnes (toe), Jamaal Lascelles (calf) and Joe Willock (Achilles) are close to returns.
“There’s a potential [for more returns]. A couple of lads are getting closer. We’ve got another training session today so once training is done, we’ll assess the squad and assess where everyone is. It’s certainly getting better than what it was a few weeks ago.
“You’ve got Harvey, Callum Wilson, Joe Willock pretty close. Whether they’re going to be fit enough to be involved tomorrow, we’ll have to make that decision later on today after training. There is question mark over all three of them. Harvey and Callum are robably a little bit ahead of Joe but still, they are out on the field doing their stuff. We’ll just have to assess where they are and to make the right call as to whether we involve them or not.
“[Alex] is a lot better, he has improved. Wednesday, Thursday and this morning, there is an imrovement. Again, he will be one that we have to assess after today to see if he makes tomorrow’s game or not. He has got a chance to be involved tomorrow but again that’s what we have to assess today, take advice from the medical team and see where we are at.” – Jason Tindall
Tindall was filling in for Eddie Howe this morning as the Newcastle boss was absent through illness.
Joelinton (quad), Sandro Tonali (ban), Nick Pope (shoulder), Elliot Anderson (back) and Matt Targett (hamstring) remain out.
If Isak doesn’t feature and Wilson isn’t match fit, then Anthony Gordon will be leading the line against the Hatters.
“We know Ant can play anywhere across the front three positions. He played as a striker a lot actually when he was at Everton and the times he’s played up front for us, he’s done very well.
“Regardless of whether he plays on the left or on the right or whether he plays up front, we’re confident he’ll go out there, be a real threat for the opposition and deliver a good performance.” – Jason Tindall
WEST HAM UNITED
Taking his press conference a mere 12 hours after full-time in the Bournemouth game, David Moyes couldn’t tell us much on the team news front but was hopeful that everyone had come through unscathed.
Vladimir Coufal returns from suspension, while Nayef Aguerd could be back after his early return from the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Said Benrahma remains banned, however, while Lucas Paqueta (calf) is likely to remain on the injury list.
Michail Antonio (knee) is back on the grass but too is unlikely won’t feature.
“It’s a really quick turnaround. We’re getting ourselves back together quickly but hopefully, everybody will be okay.
“There’s no more update from where we were. We’re still dealing with the layers who are injured at the moment. We’ve not had any more from the medical team to suggest that [Lucas Paquetá] is going to be back. No [fears about a long-term absence], we’ve said all along he’ll be out for a few weeks and I don’t think in any way he’ll be back for this weekend.
“Michail is coming on a little bit more. He’s doing some running on the grass now. He’s not worked with or trained with the team but he’s just training outside at the moment. I couldn’t give [a projected return date] at this moment.