Fantasy Football Press Conference and Team News GW9

Welcome to Fantasy Football Press Conference and Team News GW9

Make sure to check all the Team News before the deadline and see what each manager had to say before their corresponding fixture. Best of luck this for this gameweek and may your ranking reflect the effort you put in.

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Click on the Team Badge above or scroll down to find the team news you want

Last Updated: Thursday 17th October

• Can Arsenal do the business on a cold and rainy night in S(toke)heffield? That’s the question as Arsenal travel to Sheffield United in the last game of the game week.
• Lacazette is expected to return to the Arsenal squad this week. Emery; “Today was his first session with us and he’s feeling well with his injury. It depends on how he feels in the coming days whether he’ll feature on Monday but it’s been a positive start. I don’t know if he will play 90 minutes or start on the bench”
• Kieran Tierney is now pushing for a start. Emery; “He is ready to play. Now we have two options at left-back with him and Sead Kolasinac”. Rob Holding and Hector Bellerin are also now both ready to play.
• On why Ozil has been missing (again). Emery; “With Mesut, this year started difficultly for him. He lost a lot of training to keep fit but in the last two or three weeks his training has improved. I haven’t closed the possibility of playing him. If he gives us a good feeling in training (does he ever:ed.) he can play. He has skills and qualities we will need in the next matches and I am really happy with how he is improving and training everyday”. Or will he be sick again, time will tell.
• Emery is not aware of any fresh injuries after the international break; “Not at the moment. We give them two days off after their matches with their national teams. Some players arrived yesterday and today but tomorrow is the last day they will return to the club”.

Last Updated: Thursday 17th October

• Smith confirmed that Jota is expected to be sidelined for a number of weeks due to a hernia injury.
• Smith also confirmed that Jonathan Kodjia is back to full fitness and has been training with the squad.
• Tom Heaton, Bjorn Engels and Henri Lansbury are all available as well.
• James Chester will probably get some minutes for the U23s against Fulham on Monday night.

Last Updated: Thursday 17th October

• Both Leandro Trossard and Shane Duffy are available; “Trossard has been training this week. We’re delighted Duffy came through the games with Ireland too – both are available for selection.”
• Potter later noted that he has a decision to make with Trossard. Expect the Belgian to start from the bench.
• Potter confirmed that, “It’s just Jose Izquierdo and Bernardo who’ll be missing – everyone else is back and fit.”
• Potter took the opportunity to perhaps dampen some of the excitement surrounding Aaron Connolly; “Aaron has had quite a few weeks. We have to look after him and make sure he has a long and successful career.”

Last Updated: Friday 18th October

• Bournemouth host Norwich this week. Bournemouth’s players have been preparing by playing some cricket to build team spirit!Manager Eddie Howe revealed; “We had a behind closed doors game, we did a little bit of team building. The players went and visited the academy which was really nice so we have filled time in a productive way. “We played a bit of cricket as part of the team building, no staff, players only. There were some unusual techniques, techniques I had not seen before in terms of how you hold a cricket bat and a cricket ball but I was all good fun.”
• David Brooks and Junior Stanislas are still unavailable as they have still not returned to training.
• Adam Smith is close to a return to full fitness. He has been missing since he suffered a hamstring injury against Leicester back in August but is now training. Howe; “Adam Smith is getting closer”. With Howe’s track record that could mean anything.
• With eight senior players away on international duty, Howe was pleased to report that everyone reported back with a full bill of health. Howe; “We’ve seen everybody now, but there’s a couple of slight concerns”.

Last Updated: Thursday 17th October

• Sean Dyche is very happy with his squad as Burnley travel to Leicester this week. Dyche “But if I look at a group of players for every position, where I honestly believe any player could play at any given time, then this is the closest we’ve ever had it”.
• Sean Dyche confirms that Johann Berg Gudmundsson faces several “weeks” out with a serious hamstring injury suffered against France last Friday.
• A late decision will be made on the fitness of Jack Cork and Ashley Barnes due to respective shoulder and groin issues.
• Danny Drinkwater will not face his former club as the on-loan midfielder continues to recover from an ankle injury.
• Erik Pieters has recovered from the leg injury that forced him to come off during the 2-0 win over Everton.

Last Updated: Friday 18th October

• Chelsea host Newcastle Having hit some form before the international break, winning four games in a row in all competitions and moving into fifth in the Premier League table. Lampard; “It would be easy to look at us as favourites, it would be a casual mistake for us to make that a story. We have to control what we can control, can we create chances and to make sure that we are at our best.”
• Lampard reports that Kante is not fit for tomorrow’s game due to a small groin injury. Lampard; “We all have our selection problems, but the Kante one was not a laughing matter. We communicated before the first international break. It was clear that he wasn’t fit to play the second game and he sat on the bench. I think it could have been handled better. I understand that when a player is on international duty that they are their players, but it was clear that he wasn’t fit.”
• Kovacic has been in training and is in contention. Barkley is fit. Christensen out for two weeks with a hamstring injury. Rudiger now training outside with physios. Lampard; “Kovacic had a knock on his thigh, but in contention. Ross is fine. Andreas has a hamstring problem which is going to see him out for two weeks.Rudiger is outside training, a bit of work to be done for match fitness. But a positive that he is outside.”

Last Updated: Friday 18th October

• Just two points separate Palace from Pep Guardiola’s side who lie in second place, but Saturday’s fixtures sees the beginning of a tough set of games for Palace after hosting City they then play Arsenal, Leicester, Chelsea and Liverpool.
• Christian Benteke and James Tomkins have signed new deals this week. Hodgson; “I don’t think you allow centre-forwards contracts to run out. Certainly the likes of Christian Benteke and the potential he has. I’m pleased the club are showing confidence in him and it would be disappointing to see him find that form for someone else. James Tomkins is another one and I’m pleased the club have tied him up. He’s been very important for the clubs results in recent years.”
• Hodgson on injuries; “There’s a couple of players that we’ll have to assess in the morning, largely due to today’s session. The two we are missing are Mamadaou Sakho and Conor Wickham. (On Sakho) I hope he will be back soon and he is working very hard. i can’t put a time on it”.
• Hodgson is expecting Jordan Ayew to get 15 goals this season. “I would like to think so and I think he would believe that as would Christian Benteke and Wilfried Zaha. We’ve defended solidly and not need to get many goals so far. As we proved at the end of last season, the goals are there”.

Last Updated: Friday 18th October

• Marco Silva says Fabian Delph remains a “doubt” for the game. “Let’s see how he reacts. He is getting better. We will make a decision tomorrow.”
• Cenk Tosun is also out due to a groin injury. It’s not like he’ll be missed though…he’s only made one PL appearance all season!
• Theo Walcott is fit and available. Everton fans rejoice!
• Jean-Philippe Gbamin has undergone surgery on a tendon injury in his right quadriceps muscle, which will keep him out for around three months.
• Tom Davies could be handed a rare start this weekend.

Last Updated: Thursday 17th October

• Brendan Rodgers has a fully-fit squad to choose from for this weekend’s clash with Burnley after his players returned from international duty without injury.
• Brendan Rodgers confirms James Maddison will be fit to face Burnley after recovering from the illness which forced him out of the England camp. “He’s trained well, he was very good today, and I expect him to be fit and ready for the weekend”. Depending on what time the casino shuts, presumably.
• Praet will return on Friday so may miss this weeks game. Rodgers “Dennis hasn’t been with us this week. He made his first start internationally, but unfortunately for personal reasons, he’s stayed behind in Belgium. He’ll be back with us tomorrow and he’s obviously had some game time while he was away.”
• Jamie Vardy was given an extended break following the spat between his wife Rebekah and Wayne Rooney’s partner Coleen. The Leicester City striker and his family were on holiday in Dubai when Coleen accused Rebekah of leaking private Instagram stories about the Rooneys to the Sun newspaper (the horror). Rodgers “Something that is personal. We offer support to players and family. We gave Jamie extra few days with his family. I’ve spoken to him, he’s fine”. So personal it’s all over social media hey Brendan!

Last Updated: Friday 18th October

• Klopp on injuries, specifically Salah, Alisson & Matip; “Better – how good, we have to see, that’s the truth. There are two more sessions to come from this afternoon and we have to see. Then we’ll make decisions, that’s how it is. Nothing is fixed.”
• Klopp on combined XIs; “On Sky you made a combined line-up and had 11 Liverpool players. That’s a joke! Like building a banana skin. That’s what everyone wants to see.”
• Klopp isn’t convinced that de Gea and Pogba won’t play; “Yesterday no chance for De Gea and Pogba. Today it’s a maybe. Tomorrow it’s a chance.”
• Klopp on recent performances; “Can we play better? Yes, of course. But first of all you have to play as well as you can in the moment.”
• A member of the Norwegian press contingent asked Klopp if he had any advice for OGS; “You really think you can fly over from Norway and ask for advice? No. He doesn’t need it.”

Last Updated: Friday 18th October

• Pep is expecting a tough test as City travel to Palace this weekend needing three points to keep up with Liverpool at the top of the table. “I think since Roy Hodgson took over the team with 0 points and helped to avoid relegation, they have always made a really good season. They have incredibly talented players”.
• Pep Guardiola on De Bruyne/Stones/Mendy: “Yeah, some of them are better. Kevin is back and John trained the last two days good. Mendy as well. Mendy a little bit later, but as well.”
• Sergio Aguero was involved in a car crash on Tuesday but the Argentine emerged unscathed meaning he is in contention to feature against the Eagles. Pep confirmed that Aguero is “fine” but “the car is not”.

Last Updated: Friday 18th October

• Manchester United host high flying a Liverpool this week. “They’re doing well in the league,” Solskjaer added. “That’s for sure, but we’re looking forward to this game, it’s perfect game for our players and our fans, because we’ve had a tough time, a difficult time lately and I’m sure we’ll give them a good game.”
• Solskjaer was not overly helpful when it came to the injury list. “Of course I would like to tell you positive news hopefully we’ll see on Sunday who’s come through the last two sessions because there are players that just started training on the verge of coming back so can’t really say”.
• Anthony Martial has been sidelined for the last eight weeks with a thigh injury. Jesse Lingard and Luke Shaw (both hamstring) are doubts for the Liverpool match but Aaron Wan-Bissaka could return from illness. Paul Pogba has been rumoured to have met Zidane over the break. Probably crying and begging for a Real Madrid move. He is expected to miss out with an ankle injury anyway.
• David De Gea is expected to miss out after coming off in Spain’s European qualifier with Sweden on Tuesday with a muscle abductor injury. Solskjaer; “I don’t expect [De Gea] to play but it wasn’t as bad as feared. When I saw the game I thought that’s him out until next international break because we’ve had some long-term muscle injuries but it’s not as bad as feared.”

Last Updated: Friday 18th October

• Bruce on injuries; “At the minute we only have Matt Ritchie and big Flo (Lejeune) injured. We’re nearing towards a full squad. (Those two) are there or thereabouts.”
• Isaac Hayden remains suspended.
• Sounds like Matty Longstaff might get another start this weekend. When asked if he would start, Bruce replied; “How can I leave him out?”
• Bruce on Andy Carroll: “Andy’s doing great, touch wood. He came on at Leicester and played another half an hour against Man United and there’s been no reaction to that. He’s trained all week again. So with Andy, it’s a case of so far, so good.” It won’t last…

Last Updated: Friday 18th October

• Daniel Farke kicked off his press conference with the news that the injury situation is much better.
• Tim Krul is fit and will play.
• Kenny McLean, Todd Cantwell, Sam Byram, Alex Tettey and Tom Trybull all fully fit.
• Onel Hernandez is also fit and available for tomorrow but is not yet ready for a full game though.
• Mario Vrancic isn’t ready for tomorrow but is working with the first team again.
• Farke spoke at legth regarding the need for defensive improvement!!

Last Updated: Friday 18th October

• David McGoldrick continues to be hampered by a groin problem but Wilder will give him every opportunity to prove his fitness.
• Oli McBurniepicked up an injury at Watford that forced him to withdraw from Scotland duty and will be assessed ahead of the game.
• Callum Robinson was an unused substitute against Switzerland on Tuesday night and will also be assessed ahead of the game.
• John Fleck picked up an injury in Russia and is a doubt.

Last Updated: Thursday 17th October

• No fresh injury concerns for the Saints as they travel to Wolves this week. Saints are in need with a win as they sit 17th in the table. Hasenhüttl; “The good thing was we had a lot of players here and not so many international players in these two weeks, and it gives me the chance to work with them on a few weaknesses in our game that we have seen in our last two games”. But perhaps that says more about the strength / quality (lack of) in the squad, eh Has….?! #justsaying
• But… Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, Maya Yoshida, Jan Bednarek, Kevin Danso, Stuart Armstrong and Michael Obafemi all featured for their respective countries. RH “They’re all back fit. Not everybody played every 90 minutes, but it’s good that they’re back fit with no injuries.” Didn’t even manage 90 mins, eh Has…. #justsaying
• RH on Ings. “Danny is in really good shape at the moment. He had a really good pre-season, without injuries, and this is the most important thing for him. That is why he can work so hard at the moment. When he has the ball, he has the quality to score.”
• Cédric Soares will continue to miss out but could return next month. Hasenhüttl “His calf injury takes time to heal and at the moment it’s not as quick as we thought. Also for him, it’s not most important that he’s back as quick as possible, but the most important thing is for it not to happen again.”
• Djenepo is targeting a return in early November.

Last Updated: Thursday 17th October

• Christian Eriksen suffered a dead leg on international duty and is being assessed.
• Giovani Lo Celso (hip) and Ryan Sessegnon (hamstring) have both returned to full training but don’t expect to see them in the first XI any time soon with Poch commenting that they’re a long way off the level he wants right now.
• Heung-Min Son arrived back from North Korea this afternoon fresh from having lumps kicked out of him!!
• Poch on whether he’ll make big team changes; “I am going to act naturally. I am the first who wants to win games, but we try to find a way to help them. It’s not about selection, not about the names, it’s about collective behaviour and performance”.
• Poch then went on to say that he doesn’t think he will make any signings in January! Hmmm….

Last Updated: Thursday 17th October

• Watford have been working on their defence as they travel to Spurs this week for the first time ever at their new stadium. Flores “We’ve corrected a lot of things after the clean sheet”, he said. “Zero goals doesn’t mean everything was good. We made a lot of mistakes and we didn’t play the way we want, but sometimes football is like this. We didn’t concede important chances. It’s okay but we need to work hard to be the solid team we are looking for.”
• On injuries Flores said “We have Capoue, Deeney, Prödl and Success out, but we try to find a good solution”. This is our mentality. We have others ready to play. We cannot depend on one player. We have lots of players with high quality and skill.” The Head Coach hopes to have Prödl and Capoue in contention to face Bournemouth.
• Troy Deeney continues to miss out. “Maybe between 4-5 weeks,” said Sánchez Flores. “I guess in two or three weeks he is running again. The medical staff are working really well.”

Last Updated: Thursday 17th October

• Pellegrini confirmed that “everyone has returned from the international break without any problems.”
• They have a complete squad to choose from expect for those who were injured prior to the break – Michail Antonio, Winston Reid and Lukasz Fabianski.
• Pellegrini on Fabianski; “Lukasz had his surgery last Saturday, now we must be patient. He needs some time to recover, you cannot do it faster than you need. As we said at the beginning, probably he will return next year.”
• Pellegrini confirmed that Declan Rice is ok, after his illness, and has worked with the squad without any problems.

Last Updated: Friday 18th October

• Nuno was as helpful as ever; “Leander was struggling. Romain, Diogo, Pedro, Jordao had some problems we had to manage. We’ll give them space and time to recover so they can help the team. Some will be inside of the game [vs Saints], others not. We’ll have to wait and see.”
• Jota and Neto both missed the win over City. “Diogo has a small problem with his foot but is responding well to treatment. Pedro is suffering with some heel bruising which should settle over the next couple of weeks.”

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