In the latest of our weekly series, I’ll be bringing you the news from every EPL Press Conference that impacts your FPL team selection

Swansea:

Llorente (7.5) is back in training for Swansea but will miss their GW2 clash with Man United. This is a blow for Swansea, as Man United will be more likely to keep a clean sheet with one of their main attackers missing.

Clement on Llorente: “Crystal Palace (GW3) is a possibility. We will see. We will take it day by day with him.” Clement also talked about potential transfers, saying, “There will be funds to strengthen the squad. There is potential for two or three players, which would strengthen the squad.”

This is good news for Swans fans, as they look to spend the money the got after selling Gylfi Sigurdsson (8.5) to Everton.

Watford:

Zarate (5.5) is back in full training for Watford but will be assessed after a long period on the sidelines.

Deeney (6.5) also trained ahead of their trip to Bournemouth and should be ready.

Watford will be without three of their key players as Pereyra (6.0), Janmaat (5.0) and Kaboul (4.5) are ruled out after suffering “low-grade” muscular strains during the 3-3 draw with Liverpool. They will miss their next 3 games which Marco Silva confirmed.

On Janmaat, Kaboul and Pereyra: “We expect that after the (International) break they’ll be available. But it’s too early to really confirm that.”

Liverpool:

In Liverpool’s Press Conference, Jurgen Klopp hinted that Daniel Sturridge (8.0) might start.

Reporter: “Will Sturridge be available for the weekend, boss? Jurgen Klopp: “I would say so. He’s looking good.”

After their Champions League Qualifier to Hoffenheim, Sadio Mane (9.5), Mohammed Salah (9.1) and Roberto Firmino (8.5) may be rested or benched early as they all played the majority of the match.

Sadio Mané is unlikely to start against Crystal Palace today as a precaution having missed training on Thursday.

Phillipe Coutinho (8.9) will also miss Saturday’s clash due to a back injury. Regarding Coutinho, Jurgen responded with;

“Phil is not available; he is not training so far, so there is nothing new.”

Trent Alexander-Arnold (4.5) will continue to start, perhaps getting free kick duties after his lovely goal from one in mid week against Hoffenheim, as Nathaniel Clyne is recovering from a back injury and is still in the process of rehabilitation.

Southampton:

There are no injury concerns for Southampton, confirms Pellegrino.

Bertrand (5.5), who was rumored to miss GW2, will play, with Pellegrino saying, “Bertrand was training good, I think physically he is fit.”

Southampton will most probably be with a full squad ahead of their match against West Ham United.

Arsenal:

Wenger states that Mertesacker (5.0) will return to Arsenal’s squad for the trip to Stoke. Mustafi (5.5) & Coquelin (4.5) will also be included.

This is good news for Arsenal’s defence as they looked lackluster without Mustafi. Mertesacker and Coquelin will most probably not be involved in their game against Stoke.

Wenger also confirmed that Alexis Sanchez (12.0) will not be involved in their game on Saturday.

He remarked, “It looks a bit early. Our medical people think that Saturday comes too soon. He should be available for the next game.”

Arsene Wenger also discussed the future of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (6.0).

He remains confident that Arsenal will not sell Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain this summer, saying,”I want him to stay here for a long time.”

West Ham United:

Michael Antonio (7.5) will play however, Andy Carroll (6.0) and Cheikhou Kouyate (5.0) will both be unavailable ahead of their game against Southampton.

Slaven Bilic was quoted saying, “We will have Mikey [Antonio] back 100% for this game [at St Marys] but for Cheikhou and for Andy, it’s a bit too early, I think.”

Slaven Bilic has good news regarding Manuel Lanzini (7.0), who suffered a knee injury in training during pre-season, saying that he is unavailable for their game against Southampton but is in check for his first appearance of 2017/18, at St James’ Park, against Newcastle.

“Manu (Lanzini) is training individually and he is joining us on Monday, so we are going to have a full squad back for the Newcastle game,” Bilic said.

West Brom:

West Brom confirmed that they are not looking to sell Jonny Evans (4.5), with Pulis saying;

“we don’t want to sell him, we don’t need to sell him. We’re not desperate to get the money in so it would have be a very, very good offer.”

Evans is unlikely to play against Burnley as he is still struggling with a hamstring problem:

“It looks as though Jonny might miss tomorrow,” said Pulis unenthusiasticly. “It’s his hamstring. One thing we don’t want to do is play him and make it worse.”

He also commented that Gareth McAuley (5.0) and James Morrison (5.5) are still injured and will not play against Burnley.

“James and Gareth won’t be available again on Saturday and we’ll monitor them as we go along.”

Bournemouth:

Jermain Defoe (8.0) is in contention to start with Eddie Howe saying;

“It wasn’t a knock, Jermain had a tightness in his groin after the Valencia game and he didn’t train properly until just before West Brom. He is in contention to start on Saturday.”

Eddie Howe will make a late decision on Simon Francis (4.5) [hamstring]. He also confirmed that Stanislas (6.0) and Wilson (6.0) are out but continue “to make good progress.”

Crystal Palace:

Crystal Palace Coach, Frank de Boer, confirmed that Wilfred Zaha (7.0) is out.

He commented, “That’s very negative news for us. He’s a very important player for our team. We have to deal with it.”

He didn’t give any news on how long he will be out for, saying he has;

“no idea [at this stage] how long Zaha will be out. Tests remain ongoing.”

Leicester:

Leicester City coach Craig Shakespeare said that Iheanacho (7.0) is a doubt to play. He was quoted saying;

“Iheanacho didn’t train (on Thursday), he’s had a bit of discomfort with his toe. I’ll make a late decision tomorrow.”

He also gave positive news regarding centre-back Robert Huth (5.0);



“Robert Huth came through an Under-23s game on Monday. He played 60 minutes and has trained since. That’s a big plus for us.”

Shakespeare confirmed Danny Drinkwater (5.0) is not available.

Chelsea:

Antonio Conte reported that Eden Hazard (10.5) is improving but will not play in their clash against Tottenham;

“to be fully fit, he needs time.”

Conte added that Bakayoko (5.0) is not at the top of his fitness but could be available for Sunday’s game.

He commented that Bakayoko is likely start from the bench;

“I’m concerned, there is a risk when you put players in early, it makes the injury risk high.”

Conte reported that Pedro (8.0) trained today but felt pain in his ankle so is a doubt for this weekend’s game.

He also reported on Morata (10.0) saying that he needs “to find the right physical condition.” He didn’t give any indication whether he’ll start or be benched however.

Manchester City:

Manchester City will be without Ikay Gundogan (5.5), Benjamin Mendy (6.5) and Fabian Delph (4.5) in their clash against Everton;

“Ikay has come back and is doing really well. Benjamin Mendy is closing in on a return, he’s almost there. Same with Fabian Delph.

The Mendy injury is good news for Danilo (5.5) owners, as he will most probably start ahead of their next game.

Newcastle:

Paul Dummett (4.5) and Florian Lejeune (4.5) have been ruled out for a number of weeks while Shelvey (5.5) is suspended for their trip to Huddersfield.

Tottenham:

Danny Rose (6.5) [knee] has been ruled out ahead of their game against Chelsea. Trippier (5.5) [ankle] is progressing well and faces a late fitness test.

The club also announced the signing of Davinson Sanchez;

“We are delighted to announce we have reached agreement with Ajax for the transfer of Davinson Sanchez subject to medical & work permit.”

This is good news for both Ben Davies (5.5) and Trippier, as they may play as wing-backs if the team decides to play with 3 centre-backs again.

All the latest team news has been written and summarised by @FPL_Aussie – pop him a follow on Twitter if you have any questions regarding the article.