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 Gameweek 5

As usual, feel free to give myself (FPL Connect) a tweet if you find there are any problems with this article.

Thanks for reading everyone and all the best for Gameweek 5 – let’s do this!

Southampton:

Mark Hughes reports no injuries sustained during the International Break, but there are issues with Shane Long [toe] and Charlie Austin [hamstring]:

“None of the internationals have reported injuries as we stand, so we’re hoping none are reported today. We have concerns with Shane Long (toe) and Charlie Austin (hamstring), who haven’t trained this week, but we’re hoping to have them back over the weekend.”

Danny Ings suffered a bad blister but is now back in training and should be available for the match on Monday:

“Danny (Ings) has a bad blister. He tore a chunk of skin off his foot against Everton and he was taking painkillers to stop the pain. He’s not having injections anymore and he’s back in training, so we’re hoping there are no more problems with that.”

Tottenham:

Dele Alli will miss the Premier League clash against Liverpool on Saturday, whilst Hugo Lloris also misses out as a result of a thigh injury picked up against Manchester United on 27 August – he’s expected to be out for several weeks;

“Alli is a bit unlucky, he suffered a small injury after 20 mins vs Spain. We’re going to miss him for this game and possibly Inter, but it is not a big issue. Lloris will have another scan. Hopefully it will be ok and he will be available again soon.”

Moussa Sissoko [hamstring] is expected to return to training with the squad next week and Juan Foyth is back in training after a recent thigh problem.

Pochettino on Heung-min Son’s availability;

“He’s travelled a lot, and yes, I hope that for the weekend he’ll be available to play or be on the bench. If not, we’re not going to take a risk because he missed a lot of games and we have a lot to play. It’s not a moment to take risks now.”

Arsenal:

Regarding the team news:

Emery was also asked about Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang playing together or as substitutes;

“It’s the same. It’s a process to know the combination on the pitch, with different players but I need and I want to start in the level, 11 players with good performances and also, we need in the balance of players, when the team needs to work in the pitch to help the team to find the win, to stay with the performance. The reason is that I am very happy with the last two victories in the Premier League and also with the performances and I want to push every player to be okay to help the team if for one minute, 30 minutes or half time or 90 minutes.”

Well that clears that up then… thanks Unai!

Brighton:

Hughton confirmed that everyone is back in training ahead of Monday’s game in Hampshire and that striker Florin Andone would participate for the club’s under-23 side on Friday evening.



Crystal Palace:

Having missed Palace’s previous Premier League match against Southampton, Hodgson was keen to stress that Wilfried Zaha and James Tomkins will be monitored today to gauge their reaction to their return to training, and there will be consultation with the medical department before the squad depart;

“It was his [Zaha] first training session today; it was debatable as to whether he should train or not but he was anxious to try, and it was the same with James Tomkins so it was really good to see them back out with us again. We’ll have to wait and see how they react to tomorrow’s training session to see if they will be available. If we listen to our medical department, both are coming back as early, if not earlier, than should have been expected.”

Christian Benteke meanwhile, has been struggling with a knee injury;

“Christian has had a niggling knee injury for some while now which kept him out for a short while during pre-season when he felt he had to miss some time training in Sweden. That’s still an ongoing issue and while it’s being dealt with, we’ll have to wait and see when he will be available – there’s no timescale on that.”

Scott Dann and Connor Wickham both remain sidelined, but the defender has returned to training. Aaron Wan-Bissaka is fully fit and available.

Hodgson also feels that Max Meyer and Cheikhou Kouyaté are now pushing for starts, adding:

“Both Max and Cheik are players that we have brought in, as well as Jordan Ayew who made his first-team debut from the start against Southampton, and we have been very happy with all three of them. Max and Cheik are in my opinion ready at any moment to go in, but up to now the other players who have kept them out have done a good job so the competition is very healthy. Everyone knows that the positions are contested now, and if you want to keep your place in the team then you have to perform every week.”

Leicester:

Puel reveals that all of the senior players who travelled away on international action have returned in good shape, while midfielder Matty James remains the only absentee;

“They all came back with a smile. I am happy because they came back in good fitness and a good mentality. It’s important to come back with desire and focus for their club. We have Matty who has had a little surgery on Wednesday to correct something but it’s okay and I hope he can come back with us soon. I am a happy trainer to see all my other players fit.”

Söyüncü is one of several defenders hoping to earn a place in the Frenchman’s starting line-up and the Foxes boss said:

“He is available, but there is competition between players. It’s important to have a good squad, but I prefer this. I am happy with his training and his last international game so we will see when he can play. He is fit and ready.”

Jamie Vardy is now available again following his suspension.

Fulham:

Jokanovic confirms that Neeskens Kebano, Tim Ream and Tom Cairney will not be available for this weekend’s match against Man City;

“We can’t useNeeskens Kebano, Tim Ream and Tom Cairney. The rest will be available for the game. We are still assessing these players and I cannot give you clear information, but we expect they will be available soon.”

Regarding the approach to the game against Man City, Jokanovic played down a more defensive approach against the Champions, promoting his side’s attacking style;

“Everyone knows how [Man City] play football. We are a promoted team and we want to use similar weapons, and attack. I must be proud because many people know what Fulham’s style is too.”

Bournemouth:

Howe confirms Ryan Fraser has sustained a hamstring injury on international duty but gave no indication of his availability for this weekend. Josh King returns with no issues:

“Ryan Fraser had a hamstring problem so has been working with our medical team since he returned here, Joshua King played two games for Norway but came through no problem.”

It’s looking unlikely that Charlie Daniels will be available for this weekend, but Kyle Taylor is back and will be available;

“Charlie Daniels picked up a niggle and we’ve not seen him during the international break. Kyle Taylor is back and fit which is a positive.”

Midfielder Junior Stanislas continues his comeback from a knee injury, with the Cherries manager seeing strides being taken on the training pitches;

“Junior is still working his way back to fitness. A big positive for us was that he came back into training during the international break; we did a maximal test and he came first in that. He won’t be ready for this weekend but we’re pleased with his progress.”

Cardiff:

Josh Murphy has returned to training following a minor knock but Neil Warnock doesn’t know whether the winger will be involved;

“He wants [play] but with Mendez-Laing out for a long time we’ll have to be careful.”

Gunnarsson [knee] may not be risked. Warnock says his “best strike force” is Danny Ward and Bobby Reid currently;

“They’ve been improving in training and they’re relishing it. They’ve both stepped up”

Manchester United:

Marcos Rojo and Diogo Dalot will play for the u23’s tonight;

“If they play the 90 minutes like we expect, then it will be the end of their recovery process and we will consider them ready to be back next week for full competition.”

Mourinho confirms that Luke Shaw is available for selection;

“We still have a training session [but] by the protocol point of view [six days clear] and according to our doctor, he will be free to play. The only situation I have to analyse is if we are going to play him when during the week, he wasn’t training with the team.”

Additionally, despite being medically cleared to play, Luke Shaw was not part of the travelling squad making their way to London.

An ankle injury rules Ander Herrera out of the late kick-off while Marouane Fellaini [back] faces a late fitness test. A hamstring injury keeps Phil Jones sidelined.

Liverpool:

Simon Mignolet is available for the weekend however, Adam Lallana will be looking at the next week before he’s available;

“Simon is OK, he trained completely normally. We gave him the rest he needed with the finger issue. It is fine, he has trained normally, catching balls all fine. Adam is in a good way. It’s obviously not too serious but he is not available for the weekend and maybe not for the next week [and] then I hope he can be back.”

Dejan Lovren [hip] is ruled out but Klopp says he should return in the coming weeks.

With 7 games in the next 23 days for Liverpool, the media were again keen to ask about rotation. Here’s Klopp’s response on that;

“Of course, we have to. We will see exactly how we can do it. It is a big misunderstanding that we will plan for the game tomorrow and [also] think about the game after and the game after. That’s too complicated; you have to go into the next game and see who you can choose. That’s it – you always try to have your best team. It is clear, with numbers [from] games and all that stuff – we get so much information after a game, which you [the media] don’t have – you see how players react in different situations. We have to do that, we have to rotate – [but] I don’t know if we’d call it ‘rotation’.”

West Ham:

Team news:

“We have nothing special other than Javier Hernandez is sick and has had a virus for the last ten days, so he’s at home. Jack (Wilshere) injured his ankle two days ago, so we’ll see how he is on Tuesday after he has had a medical review. He is not going to feature on Sunday.”

Pellegrini was asked about Andriy Yarmolenko and how far off a start he is;

“I think Andriy needs time to know the Premier League and its high pace. He is a winger and he’s playing against opposition full-backs who are always attacking. He’s improving a lot, so we’ll see when he can start a game.”

Huddersfield:

The Terriers have “two small injury problems” heading into the game with Crystal Palace. Juninho Bacuna and Colin Quaner are struggling. Adama Diakhaby had a slight problem but he should be able to train today.

Other than those already mentioned, Wagner confirms there are no further injury concerns.

Ramadan Sobhi and Ben Hamer should come back into contention. International players returned unscathed and are available. Jonathan Hogg serves the final game of his ban.

Everton:

James McCarthy [double leg fracture] has returned to training. There was even a suggestion that the midfielder could be available for the next round of internationals.

Yerry Mina [foot] also trained for the first time with his new team-mates on Friday. Calvert-Lewin [ankle] will be fine but Seamus Coleman [foot] is expected to be missing for up-to two weeks.

Theo Walcott and Idrissa Gueye are available.

Bernard is available but Phil Jagielka, Andre Gomes and Michael Keane are all out. Richarlison will serve the final game of his ban.

Burnley:

Sean Dyche confirms that defender Ben Gibson will see a specialist with a groin injury. Steven Defour could start a games programme next week, but Robbie Brady is slightly behind Defour in his rehabilitation.

Johann Gudmundsson and Stephen Ward have both been declared fit

Chelsea:

Cesc Fabregas is close to a return after training with the team this week;

“Fabregas, can be available for the bench but I want to speak to him because I think he may be better with two days of training. Now, he has to improve his physical condition.”

Ruben Loftus-Cheek picked up an injury playing for England on Tuesday and Sarri says he’s “not sure” if he’s available.

Emerson and Davide Zappacosta are also doubts – the pair “picked up sore throats yesterday.”

Manchester City:

Pep confirms that Raheem Sterling is fit and available for selection;

“He [Raheem Sterling] is fit. It’s well known that we are delighted with him, we would like that to continue. Sometimes this kind of thing [contract situation] needs time.”

De Bruyne’s recovery from injury is “going well.” Won’t return this month, but should be back within the initial timeline of around 10-12 weeks.

Newcastle:

Both Jonjo Shelvey and Matt Ritchie return to training and are available;

“Shelvey and Ritchie are training. There are no big issues – everyone was training. We have to decide now who can play, but both Ritchie and Shelvey are in the squad.”

Salomon Rondon and DeAndre Yedlin trained today for the first time following their involvement in the recent internationals;

“They are fine but, always after these trips, you have to be careful.”

Florian Lejeune is the only one confirmed out with an ACL knee injury.

Watford:

Javi Gracia has close to a full strength squad to choose from this weekend with only two players missing through injury. Long-term absentee Tom Cleverley [Achilles] remains out while Gerard Deulofeu has suffered a setback in training. “The rest are available.”

“Gerard has a little pain, but it is better to wait one week more because we are in September and we have time. It is better to recover the players well and when they come back they will be ready to play and train without pain. I am not concerned about his situation.”

Wolves:

Nuno reports that his players came back “healthy” from international duty which means Raul Jimenez [muscular] has been cleared to play. No fresh injury concerns. Only Ivan Cavaleiro is expected to miss the game against Burnley.