In the latest of our weekly series, I’ll be bringing you the news from every Premier League press conference that impacts your Fantasy Premier League team selection for the upcoming gameweek 16

With the schedule now picking up pace and us having day jobs as well to contend with, it’s going to be very difficult to get all the pressers out for every GW, but we will endeavour to do our best, but please bear with us if it takes us a little while to sort it out.

Also, quick note for those eagle-eyed folks among you who have spotted that we don’t always cover every single team in these round-ups; 1. we only report what we feel is necessary to report from an FPL perspective and 2. because sometimes not every team will have a press conference.

Thanks again for reading and feel free to give myself (FPL Connect) or our writer Aussie (FPL Aussie) a tweet if you find there are any problems with this article.

Man United:

Mourinho says Eric Bailly’s injury is “serious” and the United defender may require surgery. Bailly will go under the knife to remedy an ankle injury he sustained while on international duty;

“He goes to surgery, the decision is made. I don’t say [he’s out] for the rest of the season but it’s for the next two or three months.”

He also commented on Luke Shaw, saying that he is a definite option over the coming games;

“I’m not saying Shaw is first or second choice, he’s an option. His history is an incredible injury and more surgery at the end of last season. He needs competitive matches, we gave him that and he had some cramps so we had to change him.”

Mourinho says the [head] injury which kept Marcus Rojo out of yesterdays game is “nothing big.”

Paul Pogba is still suspended – serves the final game of his three-match ban.

“The injured players [from Wednesday] are still injured [Carrick / Fellaini./ Rojo / Carrick / Bailly], but we don’t have new injuries. The same group from the other day.”

Arsenal:

Wenger reveals a groin problem was why he started Giroud ahead of Lacazette at West Ham last night;

“Despite all that was said, I played him [Lacazette] a little bit with his groin problem and I don’t want to go overboard.”

Wenger says Mustafi is back in training but it would be a “little gamble” if he plays.

Aaron Ramsey [hamstring] is ruled out of the Newcastle game. Wenger said the injury was “not a big one” although it could keep him out for up-to three weeks.

Wenger yet to decide on whether Jack Wilshere will make his second PL start of the campaign;

“I don’t know, I [will] rotate a little bit [ahead of] four games in basically nine days. I will assess [and] see how everybody recovers.”

Swansea:

Bony was the only slight new concern, but he is back in contention for Monday’s game against Everton;

“There was a little bit of concern about Wilfried after the Man City game, but he was brought off as a precaution. He is okay for Monday.”

Crystal Palace:

A calf strain will keep Sakho sidelined over Christmas. Delaney is recovering well from a minor surgical procedure. Ward [groin] is still not ready and Fosu-Mensah has been ruled out after picking up an injury midweek.

Hodgson on Sakho;

“We know it is a serious muscle [calf] strain or tear. No timescale, but it will be a while.”

Hodgson on Benteke;

“Of course him not scoring is a concern to us, to him and to the fans. He needs to keep working hard and make a good contribution to the team. We can’t afford to carry anyone, let alone a goalscorer who isn’t scoring goals.”

Luka Milivojevic will miss the early kick-off after collecting his fifth yellow of the season. Connor Wickham remains a long-term absentee.

West Ham:

When asked about team news, Moyes only had the following to report;

“We’ve got a couple of doubts and a couple coming back.”

West Ham are without Winston Reid, who must serve a one-match ban for accumulating five bookings.

James Collins or Declan Rice will deputise, while Edimilson Fernandes could return from an ankle injury.

Burnley:

Sean Dyche confirmed that Matt Lowton “will be available”, as will Ben Mee.

Stephen Ward is a doubt, however, and will face a late check today to see whether he can shake off a knock to the knee he picked up in Tuesday night’s win over Stoke City.

He also reports on the current status of Marney and Walters;

“Marney is getting fitter and stronger [equally] Jon Walters. I believe in players being absolutely fit. Mentally, physically everything it encompasses. They are on their way.”

Robbie Brady has successfully undergone knee surgery to repair a torn patellar tendon;

“They’re very pleased. He’s recovering at the moment it’s too early to worry about the longer-term view, we’ll see how we go with it.”

Brighton:

Hughton confirmed there are no fresh injury concerns following Wednesday’s trip to Wembley Stadium, with Steve Sidwell remaining the only absentee for the Seagulls.

Hughton stands by Ryan;

“Probably in the last couple of games he has been disappointed. But look at the saves he’s made and the points he has won. You’ll always see goals made by goalkeeping mistakes [but] we are pleased with [his form].”

Southampton:

Pellegrino confirms the Saints have a full list of players to chose from for the trip to Chelsea following the return of full-back Cédric Soares [hamstring] and attacker Shane Long [calf] midweek. Hoedt was omitted from the squad on Wednesday for tactical reasons.

Stoke:

Fortunately, Zouma [hamstring] shouldn’t be out for “any serious length of time.”

Jese Rodriguez remains unavailable;

“He hasn’t returned yet, although we expect him back, if everything goes well with his son, early next week.”

There was good news concerning Martins Indi who was initially ruled out for around two months;

“It will be a few more weeks, he is happy with the way things are progressing. We don’t think it will be as long as we initially thought, but he will still miss Christmas.”

Everton:

Allardyce dismisses any suggestion that there has been contact with Chelsea regarding a possible move for Ross Barkley;

“If that materialises, there [will] be a discussion between various people at the club to make the right decision for Everton going forward.”

Allardyce says Gylfi Siggurdsson was affected by the lack of a “real pre-season” which made it harder for him when he arrived.

Yannick Bolasie is expected to get another run out for the U23s tonight – depending on how Bolasie feels this evening, Allardyce and his staff will have a discussion around the wingers potential involvement on Monday night.

No fresh injury concerns for Everton, with long-term absentees – Coleman, Funes Mori , McCarthy, Barkley – remaining as they are.

Baines [calf] is closing in on a return (expected back 18th Dec), but remains sidelined for Monday’s clash.

Bournemouth:

Eddie Howe confirms Tyrone Mings has seen a specialist following his recent setback. The defender hasn’t played since the September because of a back problem, but a decision on his next steps, won’t be taken until the player has sought a second opinion.

Howe will assess his players in training before deciding whether to rotate against Liverpool;

“We have a tough run of fixtures and we’re still in the Carabao Cup, so the key is we have to make sure everyone can play at their best levels.”

Regarding the rest of the squad;

“We’re pretty much as we were. We have no fresh concerns but on Wednesday we had a late return after a string of tough away games. So I want the players to be fresh enough to perform. I will speak to the players concerned and see how they feel.”

Huddersfield:

David Wagner confirms there are no new injuries;

“We have everybody available [that played on Tuesday].”

Kasey Palmer is back in contention [ineligible] against Chelsea.

No new injuries for Huddersfield, but there are some “slight knocks” although nothing serious;

“So, everyone will be in training this afternoon before we travel to Watford and then we make our decision regarding the squad.”

Liverpool:

Adam Lallana should be available to Jürgen Klopp for Sunday’s Premier League clash with Bournemouth having returned to full training with the rest of the squad.

Joel Matip and Alberto Moreno remain sidelined, however, and Klopp has a number of other minor concerns to consider ahead of the trip to the south coast – including Daniel Sturridge;

“Joel is on a good way, running outside. [He is] not available for the weekend, of course. The same for Clyney. Daniel, we have to wait [to see] how he improved since yesterday. [We have] a few little things, with Joe [Gomez], knocks from the game. Joe had a little bit before, that’s why we left him out. But he should be OK. Milner and Robertson, a few knocks from the game, should be OK. Adam is back in full and normal training; if nothing changed since yesterday then he will be ready for the squad at least. [Moreno] has no chance for Sunday. I saw him yesterday on the bike – good but not good enough. And Simon [Mignolet] is OK again.”

Ahead of Sunday’s trip to AFC Bournemouth, Klopp was asked whether he is still searching for the correct balance between making alterations to his team and ensuring the side he picks is strong enough to win following successive home draws with Everton and West Bromwich Albion;

“We have to make sure that we have as fit as possible players for the specific game, that’s all.”

Chelsea:

Chelsea are still trying to “solve” the situation with David Luiz who has “big inflammation in his knee.”

No other injury concerns to worry about ahead of the Southampton game.

Alvaro Morata will be back in the Chelsea squad at least, having trained for the past couple of days, but Conte remained a little evasive on whether or not he’d be in the starting line-up, only reporting the following on the matter;

“He has this pain in his back but he is in contention for tomorrow’s game.”

Tottenham:

Davinson Sanchez [suspended], Toby Alderweireld and Victor Wanyama [both knee] remain sidelined, apart from that, Tottenham have a full list ahead of their game against Man City.

Man City:

Kompany looks likely to miss out again on the weekend, but isn’t far away from a return;

“Vincent Kompany is much better. He has a little, little problem. I don’t know if tomorrow he will be fit, but hopefully in the next days he will be ready.”

Pep says John Stones is “much, much better” and that he could return within fortnight;

“I think he’s at week four and the doctor said between four and six.”

Newcastle:

Paul Dummett is expected to be named in the Newcastle travelling squad. A back problem will keep Mitrovic sidelined while Gamez is also out.

Isaac Hayden could return to the line-up in place of Jonjo Shelvey, who is suspended following his sending off against Everton.

West Brom:

Pardew reports that Barry is back in contention, whilst Chadli may need more time. Dawson is also progressing well and could be back soon;

“Gareth Barry will be in contention to play. Nacer Chadli probably needs a bit more training. Seeing a few players back on the training ground has given everyone a lift. Dawson is back running around too.”

Pardew had the following to say about Rodriguez;

“I see Jay Rodriguez as a No.10 here at this football club. I’ve always admired him and he’s a player I’ve always wanted to have.”

Watford:

No press conference yesterday or today so far, but the following has been reported on the BBC Sport website.

Watford will be without suspended pair Tom Cleverley and Marvin Zeegelaar.

Richarlison is available, despite being substituted at Crystal Palace in midweek owing to fatigue, and Miguel Britos is fit but Kiko Femenia misses out because of an injured hamstring.

Leicester:

Robert Huth and Matty James continue to work their way back to full fitness;

“They need a lot of training sessions. I think if they play games with the U23s, time will tell.”

Puel plans to rotate;

“We started a busy period. It was a good challenge to see the possibilities and performance of other players. We cannot play every game with the same players.”