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With another set of World Cup qualifying fixtures coming up, it’s important that we head into the international break on a high. So, give yourself the best chance of a big haul, and make sure you’re following for all of the latest team news… Good luck, and I’ll see you again in a fortnight!
Arsenal
Midfielder Granit Xhaka could be sidelined for around three months after sustaining a “significant” knee injury during last Sundays’ north London derby. “It’s really bad news personally for Granit,” said Mikel Arteta. “He has had a couple of incidents this season already with COVID-19, suspension and now with a long-term injury, but he is a strong man.” However, the Arsenal boss did admit that the Swiss international “probably escaped” an even worse injury due to initial fears that he may have damaged his anterior cruciate ligament. Ainsley Maitland-Niles has been touted as a potential replacement, although Sambi Lokonga is likely to be paired alongside Thomas Partey.
Aston Villa
Leon Bailey and Morgan Sanson will miss the trip to Tottenham, but Dean Smith is hopeful that both players can resume training during the break. “They’re recovering well; they had muscle strains,” he told AVFCTV. “Only minimal, but we have to make sure they’re right, and there’s not any re-injury. It’s been tough because both of them have missed pre-season.” Axel Tuanzebe is in contention after missing the game against his parent club. However, Keinan Davis and Trezeguet remain out long-term.
Brentford
There was no word from Thomas Frank on the fitness of Ethan Pinnock, who was forced off against Liverpool (after scoring) with a hip problem. However, the defender has been included in Jamaica’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers, which suggests his injury is not severe. We do know that Mads Sorensen and Joshua Dasilva could miss the remainder of the year.
Brighton and Hove Albion
Graham Potter reveals midfielder Steven Alzate “won’t be available” for the game against Arsenal because of the ankle injury which forced him off at Selhurst Park. “It looked quite a bad one. He rolled his ankle, and somebody also landed on it.” Yves Bissouma is “making progress”, but that’ll be a decision for Friday. Danny Welbeck will meet with a specialist to try and address the underlying cause of his ongoing hamstring problems. There was no update on Enock Mwepu (groin), while Adam Webster has been ruled out until after the break.
Burnley
Striker Matej Vydra has a “strong chance of being available”, said Sean Dyche. However, Saturday looks to be a problem for summer signing Maxwel Cornet, who picked up a hamstring injury at Leicester. “It will probably be too quick a turnaround for him.” Jay Rodríguez has been working outside with the physios, giving him a chance, and Kevin Long continues to build fitness with the under-23s. Connor Roberts has been called up to the Wales squad for the upcoming qualifiers, although the 26-year-old is unlikely to feature, having been sidelined since groin surgery in June.
Chelsea
Thomas Tuchel admits he was surprised that Gareth Southgate said that Reece James had a “good chance” of playing this weekend following his England call-up. “When I saw it, I thought maybe Reece goes with the England water polo team as right now he is training in the pool!” Mason Mount has recovered from a minor injury, but N’Golo Kanté is out after testing positive for COVID-19. Christian Pulisic is also sidelined, having failed to recover from the ankle injury he sustained playing for the US Men’s National Team.
Crystal Palace
Patrick Vieira was pleased with his side on Monday, although he admits it was “brutal” to concede in the manner they did deep into time added-on. “We have to use that disappointment to be even more focused from the first to the last minute of the game. Those situations will make the team even stronger because we have to learn how to manage the last couple of minutes.” Conor Gallagher was singled out for praise after a fine start to the season. The 21-year-old, who is on loan from Chelsea, has won the club’s Player of the Month award for August and September. “He loves defending, going forward, closing people down. This is the kind of energy he’s bringing to the team.” There are no fresh injury concerns, and only Nathan Ferguson and Eberechi Eze remain out. “Everybody trained the last couple of days, and everybody will be fit for selection.”
Everton
Rafa Benitez confirms Richarlison, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Seamus Coleman, and André Gomes have all been ruled out of the early kick-off on Saturday despite images of the players working individually, raising hopes of a return. “They are not ready yet,” he said. “They are on the pitch little by little, but they are not ready for this game. They continue working; they are getting better.” Alex Iwobi will have a late fitness test due to a “little problem”, but Jean-Philippe Gbamin will be welcomed back after training with the group. “It’s good news because we needed bodies.”
Leeds United
Raphinha and Diego Llorente are available after shaking off muscle problems, while Pascal Struijk returns having served a three-match ban. Patrick Bamford remains out, although the striker is hopeful of a return after the break. “So, I guess when I can start running and change direction normally, I’ll be back in with the team probably in a week.” Luke Ayling is set for a “simple surgical intervention” to fix the knee problem that forced him off at Newcastle. There is still no timeline for Robin Koch, who is said to be struggling with a “very rebellious [pelvic] injury” that could take a long time to recover, “subject to his evolution.”
Leicester City
Jonny Evans (illness) “wasn’t well enough” to travel to Warsaw in the Europa League while his battle with an ongoing painful foot condition continues to hamper his progress. “We’ll see how he is for the weekend,” mused Brendan Rodgers. “I’ve always said he’s a top defender, and when he plays, we are better. We have to manage it.” Kelechi Iheanacho was hoping to play a part midweek, but there was an issue with passport control that prevented the striker from entering Poland. “His documentation coming into the country wasn’t sufficient, so he wasn’t able to travel.” The Foxes have only won three games in all competitions this season, and Rodgers admits Sundays’ trip to Selhurst Park is a “big game” against tough opponents. “We’ll get back and recover tomorrow,” he said following the loss to Legia. “We’ll put some preparation into the team, and then we’ll be fresh and ready to go.” Wilfried Ndidi is expected to miss out after tweaking his hamstring in the 2-2 draw with Burnley.
Liverpool
Trent Alexander-Arnold has been ruled out of Sunday’s top of the table clash with Manchester City after failing to recover from the groin problem that kept him out of the Champions League tie in Portugal. Jurgen Klopp also confirms that Thiago Alcántara will miss the game, although they could return in week eight. “They are doing well, but they won’t have enough time for being back against City,” he told LFCTV. “But we have a good team, so we still have solutions, and we have to use them and yeah, after the international break, the boys will be back, I think.” James Milner may start, although Joe Gomez and Neco Williams are other options after returning from injury midweek. After scoring twice from the bench, Roberto Firmino could force his way into the side, putting Diogo Jota‘s starting place at risk.
Manchester City
Pep will have close to a fully fit squad for Sundays’ Premier League showdown at Anfield. Oleksandr Zinchenko and Ilkay Gundogan are the only confirmed injury absentees. “We expect both back after the international break, hopefully,” said Guardiola. Benjamin Mendy remains unavailable.
Manchester United
Marcus Rashford stepped up his recovery on Friday, and providing he suffers no reaction; then he could return in game week eight. “Marcus trained fully with contact for the first time today,” Solskjaer told MUTV. “A few tackles were flying in on him as well, which was good to see.” Everyone came through Wednesday nights’ encounter with Villareal unscathed, but the availability of Luke Shaw hangs in the balance. Illness and injury mean the left-back is a doubt, and a decision will be made at the last moment. Harry Maguire (calf) and Amad Diallo (thigh) won’t be ready until after the break.
Newcastle United
Steve Bruce says the trip to Molineux will come too soon for “two or three” of his injured players, including Callum Wilson, Jamaal Lascelles and Jonjo Shelvey. “No return for missing players,” he said. “During the international break, we are hoping that three of them will be taking part in training but [it’s] still a bit too early for the weekend.” Martin Dúbravka should start working with the group soon. “The situation is a bit healthier than it was a few weeks ago, and we are edging towards most players fit and available, which is what we want.” Joe Willock, a surprise inclusion at Vicarage Road, came through last weekends’ encounter unscathed, and he will be OK to travel.
Norwich City
“(Christoph) Zimmermann is still out, as is (Todd) Cantwell,” said Daniel Farke during Fridays’ media briefing. “I hope they’ll be available after the international break.” Cantwell returned this week after missing nine days because of personal reasons but complained of an Achilles issue. “There’s a little question mark behind (Billy) Gilmour, who got a knock on his foot. We have a final test this afternoon.” Saturday is too soon for Przemyslaw Placheta, who has been sidelined for two months with long-COVID. Sam Byram remains out; however, after 19 months, there were some “encouraging signs” on the training pitches.
Southampton
Ralph Hasenhüttl reveals Stuart Armstrong has returned to first team training ahead of the trip to Stamford Bridge. The Saints midfielder, who is yet to feature this season, has been called up to the Scotland squad, although it isn’t clear if he will participate in the upcoming internationals. “He was 42 days out now, so a long time. I think it’s not the best to step into the international team, but I think they have two important games, and you see how important a player he is for them.” Jack Stephens is the only definite absentee, although Will Smallbone is being managed following a long-term knee injury. “There are one or two players who are struggling a little bit, but everybody is on the pitch. I must say that I have a lot of alternatives at the moment.” Theo Walcott returns to the fold, but Chelsea loanee Armando Broja cannot feature against his parent club.
Tottenham Hotspur
Giovanni Lo Celso appeared to be limping after Spurs’ 5-1 win in the Europa Conference on Thursday. However, there was no update from Nuno post-match, and with no press conference on Friday, I’m a little unsure of the Argentine’s availability. Tanguy Ndombele was rested on Thursday, but after four successive starts, we must assume he makes the XI against Aston Villa. And regardless of the opposition, Harry Kane will take confidence from his quick-fire 20-minute hat-trick. “Every striker wants to score goals. I probably wasn’t expecting to come on today, but it’s nice to get the minutes. Whenever you see the ball hit the back of the net, it is a good feeling. Hopefully, we can take it into the weekend.” Steven Bergwijn and Ryan Sessegnon are the players that we know are likely to miss out.
Watford
Tom Cleverley is available after completing the concussion return-to-training protocols this week, having been forced off after taking a knock to the face, which left him dizzy during the draw with Newcastle. Fellow midfielder Peter Etebo could miss up to five months after scan results confirmed he ruptured his quadriceps muscle during the same game. Goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann is back in contention after shaking off a minor knee issue.
West Ham United
David Moyes made seven changes for the Europa League tie with Rapid Vienna on Thursday, but Michail Antonio was amongst those to retain his place, and owners’ worst fears almost came to fruition when the striker appeared to be limping late in the first half. However, Antonio came through the encounter unscathed, and Moyes has vowed to continue naming a strong side. “I want to try and be in Europe after Christmas, so we want to win the group if we can. We are not going to let up, we are enjoying it and won’t be letting it go easy, but I have to manage Premier League games too.” Ryan Fredericks may not return until after the international break, but Vladimir Coufal could be involved. “Coufal has a chance,” said Moyes. “I am not sure about Ryan. They’re both not bad, and there’s a chance they could both be available.”
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Ait Nouri comes back into contention after suffering a concussion against Tottenham in the cup, but the rest of those players in the treatment room remain sidelined. Yerson Mosquera will not feature again until next year after imaging revealed the extent of his hamstring injury. “Unfortunately, Yerson suffered a high-grade hamstring injury in the Carabao Cup and is undergoing surgery this week. It is too early to give a return date as there is such variation in how quickly players heal, but as a guide 4-5 months is usual.” The Wolves medical department also confirmed that Pedro Neto (knee) is due for a specialist review in October, while Jonny is doing “very well” rehabilitating from his anterior cruciate ligament surgery.
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