While the majority of managers were able to conduct their business on Monday, we’re still waiting on some key updates from the select few…
Callum Wilson and Trent Alexander-Arnold (both knee) are among those attracting attention while the selection of Son may be determined by Pochettino and his comments in the lunch time press conference.
With lots of news still to come, make sure you are following the team throughout the build-up to GW24.
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Arsenal – vs – Cardiff City
Tuesday will come too soon for Laurent Koscielny. The defender suffered “bruising and soft tissue swelling to his face and jaw” following an accidental boot in the face from Romelu Lukaku. Monitored on a daily basis.” Good news, as there had been fears of a fracture which could have resulted in another lengthy lay-off. Unai Emery confirms that Papastathopoulos (ankle) might be back sooner than expected. “Sokratis doesn’t have a big injury but he isn’t OK [to face Cardiff], I don’t know how long but I think maybe two or three weeks.” Dinos Mavropanos is back in first-team contention. “He has been working with us for the past month and has playing with the under-23s. He is in the squad with the possibility to play.” Henrikh Mkhitaryan is being integrated back into full training.
Some of the Cardiff City players are struggling to come to terms with the tragic events of the past week and Neil Warnock admits this will have a bearing on his team selection. “Three or four lads have been really poor in training and we [will] decide tomorrow who we feel will get more out of.” Sean Morrison is likely to miss out after emergency surgery to remove his burst appendix while Kenneth Zohore (thigh) should be close after failing a late test (GW23). Harry Arter is expected to recover from a minor groin strain.
Fulham – vs – Brighton and Hove Albion
Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa (ankle) is training with the First Team. “But he is not ready yet [for a return to play].” Alfie Mawson has undergone knee surgery and he will be checked again in six weeks, however Ranieri insists. “He is not finished for the season.” Aboubakar Kamara is unavailable due to an internal disciplinary investigation. The striker was arrested at the clubs’ training ground on suspicion of actual bodily harm and criminal damage following an altercation with an on-site security guard. However, Claudio maintains he still has a future at Craven Cottage and he would be happy to have the player back with the squad.
A knee injury continues to hamper José Izquierdo. Bernardo is very close to a return and Chris Hughton is confident he will be training as normal before the end of this week (Thursday). “He’s done good rehab work and made a good recovery - it’s about when we feel he’s ready for matches.” Mat Ryan is back following his involvement at the Asian Cup. “He trained yesterday and he will do again today - he’s fine and fit.” Hughton is yet to name his team for Fulham so it remains to be seen whether David Button can retain his place. “He has come in and done very well and taken his chance. I have a decision to make now in the goalkeeping position.”
Huddersfield Town – vs – Everton
New Terriers boss Jan Siewert is pleased with how last weeks’ warm weather camp turned out. “I got to know the players very well. The togetherness is there and great to see.” Aaron Mooy is closing in on a return after re-joining the group but the German was giving nothing away prior to the game. Philip Billing is still struggling with a knee problem and the midfielder won’t be ready for Everton - he should return to full training later this week. “Hamid Sabiri [was] back on the pitch with us in Portugal, which is great.”
Marco Silva confirms the club have rejected an offer, thought to be in the region of £22m, from Paris Saint-Germain for Idrissa Gueye. “For this price, I cannot see really the value. He’s a really important player for us.” Yerry Mina is having tests on his left foot after being injured at Millwall in the FA Cup. Phil Jagielka remains sidelined. “It’s possible he needs one, two more weeks to start training with the squad.”
Wolverhampton Wanderers – vs – West Ham United
Nuno Espírito Santo reports a clean bill of health. Willy Boly serves the final game of his three-match ban.
Manuel Pellegrini expects to have a similar squad as Saturday with the exception of Lucas Pérez. “He got a kick (ankle) in the game against AFC Wimbledon so he will be not be available for Tuesday’s game.” Ryan Fredericks is in line for his first Premier League appearance since November after recovering from a shin injury. Manuel Lanzini is close to a return and it is hoped that he could be ready in around 3-4 weeks. “He is a very important player.” No timeline on the rest of those squad members currently sidelined, although it won’t be within the next month. Jack Wilshere has suffered another setback – different ankle - which will keep him out until March in the first instance. Arnautovic will be in the squad on Tuesday night. “I am happy for us that Marko has finished his issue and he will stay here. I hope he will be the player we know he can be in the next game.”
Manchester United – vs – Burnley
Marouane Fellaini and Marcos Rojo remain on the sidelines but Chris Smalling is closing in on a return to action. “Chris has trained for a week now, so he’s looking good,” Ole Gunnar Solksjaer confirmed. “It’s about when do we get him into the team.” After impressing in the FA Cup at Arsenal on Friday night, Alexis Sánchez and Romelu Lukaku are pushing to be included in the starting XI although neither is expected to oust Anthony Martial or Marcus Rashford from the side.
Johann Berg Gudmundsson and Phil Bardsley face late fitness tests while Robbie Brady will be assessed after picking up a groin injury at the Etihad. Sean Dyche hinted on Saturday that his side had been chosen with one eye on the Man United game to give those close to full fitness every chance of recovery. “We are missing players, we had to piece the side together to try to make sure players are back for Tuesday.” Matt Lowton (toe) could miss out again while long-term absentees Aaron Lennon (knee) and Jon Walters (Achilles) are still some way off.
Newcastle United – vs – Manchester City
“The midfielders are very close, but [they won’t] be ready for this game, so it’s more or less the same [squad],” confirmed Benitez. Jonjo Shelvey (thigh), Mo Diamé (hip) are still missing while Ki Sung-Yeung returned from the Asian Cup with a hamstring strain. Joselu suffered a sprained ankle against Watford and will not be considered for Tuesday. Karl Darlow (elbow) is nearing a return and should be available from next week. Matt Ritchie is expected to deputise for Paul Dummett after the loan move for Jordan Lukaku collapsed following a problem with his medical.
Pep reports that Benjamin Mendy is “much better” following his return in the Carabao Cup last Wednesday. The Frenchman has some minor inflammation around the knee. “He needs time. It is a problem, but it’s OK. Hopefully he can come back soon.” Vincent Kompany is still sidelined.
AFCB Bournemouth – vs – Chelsea
Callum Wilson will face a late fitness test after limping off against West Ham ten days ago. The Cherries striker has been managing hamstring and knee injuries in recent weeks and has not been pictured with the main group on the training pitches. Wednesday is likely to come too soon for new signing Dominic Solanke (hamstring) which means Joshua King will lead the attack if Wilson fails to recover. Artur Boruc is expected to retain his place following a clean sheet on his first league appearance of the campaign.
Gonzalo Higuaín looks set to make his Premier League debut after impressing in the FA Cup on Sunday. His arrival is likely to see Eden Hazard deployed in his preferred role out wide. Chelsea insist that Callum Odoi-Hudson will be going nowhere, that despite the 18-year-old submitting a transfer request and Bayern Munich reportedly ready to pay in the region of £40m. Ruben Loftus-Cheek will be hoping for strong second half of the season after making his comeback (ahead of schedule) against Sheffield Wednesday. The England international managed 25 minutes from the bench following his recovery from a persistent back problem. Álvaro Morata and Victor Moses have been shipped out on-loan to Atletico Madrid and Fenerbahce respectively.
Southampton – vs – Crystal Palace
“Ryan [Bertrand] is a part of training and he is getting closer.” Mario Lemina continues to struggle with an ongoing abdominal issue. Matt Targett (knee) wasn’t as first feared and the defender has been training since Saturday. “So, he has a good chance to play this week.” Ralph Hasenhüttl says Charlie Austin could leave during the January transfer window as “the club can’t give the player what he wants.” The striker is nursing a swollen ankle and “he could be a problem for Wednesday.” Kayne Ramsay was ill on Monday, but if he does train, then the 18-year-old will be considered.
Connor Wickham scored for the first time in 799 days last weekend and the striker will be looking to make up for lost time having spent the best part of two-years injured. Christian Benteke is building fitness from the bench and expect another bit-part role on Wednesday. Julian Speroni will continue to deputise in goal with Vicente Guaita and Wayne Hennessey currently ruled out. No timeline for Pape Souaré who dislocated his shoulder earlier this month.
Leicester City – vs – Liverpool
Harry Maguire has been cleared to play against Liverpool which means Daniel Amartey (ankle) is the only player currently missing through injury.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (knee ligament) is feeling “much better” although his availability on Wednesday hangs in the balance. A lot will depend on his response to treatment - the joint is stable – although there is still some pain. Fortunately, Dejan Lovren has recovered from the hamstring strain which caused him to miss the last two matches. Gini Wijnaldum is training, and barring a setback, the midfielder will be ready. The same can also be said of Virgil Van Dijk and Fabinho who both missed Fridays’ session at Melwood through illness. Joe Gomez is still “a couple of weeks” away and James Milner is suspended.
Tottenham Hotspur – vs – Watford
Harry Kane (ankle) and Dele Alli (hamstring) are still in the early stages of their rehab and the pair won’t return until March. Fernando Llorente is likely to get another chance to shine but Heung-Min Son is back from the Asian Cup after South Korea were dumped out of the competition. However, he is an unlikely starter due to fatigue caused by recent exertions. “I wasn’t fully prepared. I felt physically empty. I’m feel so sorry to have let down my teammates, coaches and the fans,” he revealed after his country’s quarter-final exit. Moussa Sissoko (knee) could return but Ben Davies (groin) is not expected to recover which clears the way for Danny Rose. Victor Wanyama was back in the matchday squad at Selhurst Park after more than two months out, but he won’t be rushed, and his involvement is likely to come from the bench. Eric Dier enjoyed another hour long run out as he approaches full fitness.
Javi Gracia is expected to have a similar group of players to select from this Wednesday. “We are in the same situation as last week,” he said. “Prödl, Kiko and Doucouré are not training with the team at this moment. We are waiting for them to come back.” On the absence of Doucouré, who was injured in training on the eve of GW23, Gracia revealed. “He feels better day by day but in this moment not enough to train and play with the team. I’m sure in the next days he will be ready.”
