In the latest of our weekly series, we’ll be bringing you the important news from every Premier League press conference that impacts your Fantasy Premier League team selection for FPL Gameweek 15
As usual, feel free to give myself (FPL Connect) a tweet if you find there are any problems with this article.
All the best for Gameweek 15 everyone – let’s do this.
Bournemouth
Eddie Howe has confirmed that he has no fresh injury concerns ahead of the mid-week trip to Crystal Palace:
“Not much has changed in a couple of days in terms of the boys that are missing. From the game against Tottenham, we came through pretty much unscathed.”
Simon Francis and Philip Billing are back from serving a one-game suspension each. Dominic Solanke and Ryan Fraser are both fit and look set to be in contention while Josh King (hamstring) and Adam Smith (illness) are likely to miss out:
“We’re going through a spell where we’ve just missed some key players, it will be great to have both Simon Francis and Philip Billing back for tomorrow night’s game.”
Manchester City
Ilkay Gundogan misses out for Manchester City as he picked up his fifth yellow card of the season at St James’ Park on Saturday.
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City’s record goal scorer, Sergio Agüero, is still out of action with a thigh injury. Aymeric Laporte, Leroy Sane and Oleksandr Zinchenko remain long term absentees.
Pep on Aguero:
“He’s not ready for the derby [in GW16]. After the derby, we’ll see.”
Pep on why he hasn’t played Stones/Otamendi together since GW5:
“I like Dinho (Fernandinho) playing in that position a lot. Right now [I prefer him], yeah. That’s why he plays.“
Burnley
Sean Dyche has mentioned that Ashley Westwood, who missed out on the Crystal Palace game because of suspension, could make his 200th Premier League appearance, however, he will need to clear a fitness test on a groin injury first:
“Westy comes back into the fold, but he has a slight niggly groin, so we will have to be careful with that.”
The manager also hinted that Danny Drinkwater could possibly start mid week:
“Drinky was close to starting on Saturday, we discussed it as a staff and I made the decision. His sharpness is nearly there. We’ve got a lot of players who have been here a while who we trust and he’s got to forge his way into that.”
Charlie Taylor remains a doubt with a hamstring injury and that could see Erik Pieters deputise at left back again:
“The initial reaction after the game, I don’t think it was a serious one, but obviously he (Charlie Taylor) had to come off and we got him off as quick as we could. Hopefully that’s prevented too much damage, so I’ll wait and see what the physios say.”
Johann Berg Gudmundsson is still unavailable after suffering a hamstring injury while on international duty with Iceland in October while forward Matej Vydra is back in training after a hip injury and could be involved:
“He’s (Gudmundsson) on the grass, so he’s making progress, but he’s not with the side yet, so he’s not in full training. We’ll wait and see. He’s had a good couple of weeks on the grass with the physios.”
Manchester United
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There was no mention of specific names from OGS, but there was a suggestion on Sunday that Anthony Martial was one of those players who had picked up a knock:
“We have great facilities and people behind the scenes working really hard to get them fit. As I say, we have a couple of knocks and the players that have been out for a little while are touch and go.”
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has revealed that Paul Pogba will not be fit in time to play against Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford tomorrow:
“No. Paul’s not ready, no, he’s still a bit away, but he’s working hard, so let’s see. He’s out [training] on the grass, so let’s see how long it will take.”
The manager also mentioned that Scott McTominay and Nemanja Matic are touch-and-go:
“[Scott and Nemanja] are touch-and-go, so let’s get this [today’s] training session out of the way. We’ve got more games than this one, so I can’t just look at one game. We’ve got to look at the long term.”
Crystal Palace
Roy Hodgson has confirmed that he is without Scott Dann and Gary Cahill for tomorrow’s game against AFC Bournemouth:
“He’s (Dann) had a scan today. We hope it’s not a ligament issue. We hope it’s a kick but of course it’s far too soon, too close to the game for him to recover so he’ll miss tomorrow’s game, as will Gary Cahill. We hope to recover the pair of them for the game at the weekend [Watford].”
Mamadou Sakho is likely to partner James Tomkins once again at centre back:
“Mamadou Sakho is good. He’s been fit to play for a period but of course we were blessed at centre-back with good performances from Gary Cahill and James Tomkins. So he’s had to wait for his chance. He played a full game for the Under-23s, played on Saturday for a considerable period in the second-half.”
Leicester City
Brendan Rodgers has confirmed there are no fresh injury concerns in his squad. Demarai Grey could possibly be the only enforced absentee as he recovers from flu:
“We had everyone in today recovering and a working group. Demarai Grey had flu over the course of the weekend so we’ll see how he is for Wednesday.”
With another seven fixtures to go in December, Rodgers revealed that he and his coaching team will evaluate the situation and the necessity to rotate over the festive period:
“Certainly, between now and then, we have to look at what is and isn’t possible, it helps when you’ve got one game a week, the team has rhythm. There’s no doubt that over these next few weeks, like every team, we have to consider how we want to play in order to bring energy and intensity in the games.”
Tottenham Hotspur
Dele Alli appears to have been rejuvenated under Jose Mourinho, having scored twice in the 3-2 win over Bournemouth, while he was also on target in the 4-2 defeat of Olympiakos in the Champions League.
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But Mourinho also hinted at the need for the England international to be properly motivated in order for him to achieve his full potential:
“I think Dele Alli can do anything he wants. He has the right age and experience, playing Champions League and [for the] national team.
He has everything – it is just a question of motivation. This is not just the individual, this is everyone.”
Southampton
Ralph Hasenhüttl has revealed that Sofiane Boufal is a doubt for Wednesday’s meeting with Norwich as his toe injury has “worsened”:
“We hope that this injury gets better. The rest of the team is “fit” except Armstrong (hamstring) who is out”
Stuart Armstrong is likely to be out of action till mid-December.
Arsenal
The latest from Arsenal’s medical team from www.arsenal.com:
Aston Villa
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Dean Smith confirms El Ghazi injury on Sunday:
“He’s got a whack on the knee. It’s too early to say, we’ll have a look at him when we get back to Bodymoor Heath.”
Smith will definitely need to make one change from the side that drew at Old Trafford, with Frederic Guilbert set to serve a suspension after receiving his fifth yellow card of the season.
Ahmed Elmohamady is bidding to make a return to the starting XI while Jota is a doubt.
Brighton
Graham Potter reveals that everyone aside from Solly March and Jose Izquierdo are available:
“Bernardo [pictured below] is in the squad training. Everyone apart from Solly March and Jose Izquierdo is available.
With a busy period coming up it’s my job to pick the right combination for the team to win matches.”
West Ham
Pellegrini confirms Martin will start in goal following a clean sheet at CFC:
“Roberto knew he wasn’t doing well. David did well but I think the performance was not down just to one player. Roberto has a long career and I hope that he continues to work to recover his performance”
Nothing from Pellegrini in terms of team news updates.
Jack Wilshere (groin) and Winston Reid were due to rejoin the group this week, but Wednesday will come too soon. Manuel Lanzini (fractured collarbone) and Lukasz Fabianski remain sidelined.
Wolves
Wolves are likely to continue with the same 3-4-3 formation that saw them pick up a point against Sheffield United.
Romain Saiss returns after serving a one-match ban against the Blades which means Max Kilman could drop to the bench.
Nuno may also opt to rest Matt Doherty in place of Reuben Vinagre, especially with the games coming thick and fast.
Chelsea
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Lampard will give Tammy Abraham (hip) every chance to prove his fitness:
“We’re giving him every possible chance to be fit. He’s still got some pain in the area of the injury, so we’ll make a judgement call [Wednesday].
“It’s painful for him, so it’s a bit of pain threshold and whether it affects his movements. I wouldn’t want to commit today. He was in good form, and with players that are important you want to give them as much time.
He’s keen and we’re trying our best to give him time, but if he’s not ready we have to go in a different route anyway.”
Ross Barkley is set to miss the visit of Aston Villa due to sickness whilst Toni Rudiger has stepped up his training and could be back in contention for a return to first team action in the next couple of weeks.
Frank Lampard says Chelsea expect to find out within “days” whether their appeal to overturn a FIFA transfer ban has been successful:
“I haven’t heard any more, so I will wait and reserve judgement until we get the judgement and see where we want to go from there.”
Asked when a decision is expected, Lampard said: “Very soon, I believe. Days, I think.”
Everton
Theo Walcott will return to the match day squad following illness.
Fabian Delph (hamstring) is still not training, but Seamus Coleman has, although the Merseyside derby comes around too quickly for him.
Liverpool
Jürgen Klopp confirmed Liverpool have no new injury concerns ahead of Wednesday’s Merseyside derby at Anfield.
The Reds came through last weekend’s hard-fought victory over Brighton and Hove Albion unscathed on the fitness front.
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Joel Matip remains unavailable, meanwhile, as the defender continues to recover from a knee issue:
“Joel needs a bit more time, it’s healing but it’s not exactly how we wished for. It needs a bit more time, so that will take a while.
The rest are fit. The long-term injuries not in, but all the others are fit and available.”
Norwich
Amazingly, no fresh injury concerns for the Canaries.
Alex Tettey is back in contention after missing out in week 14 due to personal reasons:
“He has some slight muscle problems but we’ll make a late decision on him. But it’s not too bad.”
Grant Hanley (groin) is hoping to return to full training from next week:
“We haven’t had many group sessions, so he should be back with the team.”
Josep Drmic (hamstring) however, isn’t due back until January:
“He will have been out for several weeks so we don’t want to rush him back.”
Watford
Updates from 5pm.
Newcastle United
Press conference scheduled for tomorrow, after the deadline.
Sheffield United
Press conference scheduled for tomorrow, after the deadline.
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