Last updated on April 11th, 2025
NOTTINGHAM FOREST
No prizes for guessing Nuno’s response to a reporter’s question about Chris Wood (hip), Taiwo Awoniyi (hamstring) or Anthony Elanga (unknown).
“We are still assessing all of them. They are struggling with problems – some small, some not so small – but we have to assess them. We have one more day and then we’ll see if they can be available for the game.
“On all of them [I am hopeful]. It can be all of them, it can be none. We don’t know. It depends on how they recover and how they feel. It’s about that.” – Nuno Espirito Santo on Messrs Wood, Elanga and Awoniyi
Nuno seemed to be talking about Wood and Awoniyi’s absence in the present tense in a follow-up quote but we’re clutching at straws for clues.
“We miss when the players are not available, we missed all of them. Of course, Chris has been giving us so many things. Unfortunately, at the same time happened the situation with T [Awoniyi]. If that hadn’t happened, I think we would have been more balanced. Now we have the absence of two strikers, it is more of a difficulty to prepare it.” – Nuno Espirito Santo
Ola Aina (calf) remains out – but he could be back for Gameweek 33, according to a quote from the Nottingham Post.
Alex Moreno is available again, having been ineligible to face his parent club last weekend.
BRENTFORD
Thomas Frank says Gustavo Nunes (back), Igor Thiago (knee) and Aaron Hickey (hamstring) are “going in the right direction” as they work their way back from long-term absences.
Nunes and Hickey started for the under-21s over a week ago, with the former the closest to a return. Thiago is behind those two.
Josh Dasilva (knee) and Fabio Carvalho (shoulder) remain out but the Bees have no fresh worries.
“There is no new injury news. Everyone who was available for Chelsea is available again, so that’s positive.
“The three guys who are getting closer – Hickey, Thiago and Gustavo – are progressing and going in the right direction. Gustavo is the closest of the three. Let’s see.” – Thomas Frank
SOUTHAMPTON
Interim Southampton boss Simon Rusk says that his side have “a fairly clean bill of health” going into Gameweek 32.
Charlie Taylor (hip) is on the injury list, while Flynn Downes serves the final match of a two-match ban.
Albert Gronbaek has been absent for the last two matches with tendon issues, so it’s not known whether Rusk’s positive update includes him.
“We’ve got a fairly clean bill of health at the minute. There’s one or two – Charlie Taylor’s knocking about with one or two issues – but other than that we’ve got a fairly clean bill of health going into this game.” – Simon Rusk
Paul Onuachu (ankle) was reduced to substitute duty in Gameweek 31 but did feature in the closing stages.
“Paul’s trained and is in and around it, there’s still one or two we’re assessing and ongoing and Paul is one of them, but we’re hoping there that the signs are good.” – Simon Rusk
LEICESTER CITY
Wout Faes is a doubt with a “small injury” that has kept him out of training.
“We have Wout Faes who has picked up a small injury. He couldn’t train today so we’ll have a look tomorrow. Of course, it’s short towards the game, but that’s the only one.” – Ruud van Nistelrooy
Abdul Fatawu (knee), who is out for the season, is the only other known injury-related absentee for the Foxes.
Loanee Facundo Buonanotte can’t be involved against his parent club this weekend, however, while Harry Winks has been omitted from the matchday squad in recent weeks amid reports of a disagreement with Ruud van Nistelrooy.
The Leicester boss says Ricardo Pereira could be ready to start after a couple of recent substitute appearances.
“He has been out a lot, but he always looks after himself very well, but we want to do the right thing with him and build him up the right way but it’s definitely possible that he can start.
“It’s a great option of course. That’s the big advantage that you can play with two wingers on the side and that is great. You see when he came on in the second half [against Newcastle] and we started with Stephy [Mavididi] and Facundo [Buonanotte] on the sides that’s definitely something to build on.
“The game was over, but we showed some positives. Jeremy [Monga] also came on as a winger and Ricky can fulfil that role really well. He got us playing out from the back and he is such a positive influence in getting us out of this run.” – Ruud van Nistelrooy on Ricardo Pereira
NEWCASTLE UNITED
Anthony Gordon is back on the grass and will be assessed ahead of Sunday’s clash with Manchester United.
Jason Tindall, in for the ill Eddie Howe, discussed the latest on the winger in Friday’s presser.
“He’s had a decent week with the physios. He was back out on grass for a pitch session yesterday so we’ll assess him again today to see how he’s responded to that session.
“Then we will have to make a late call on whether he’s available for the bench on Sunday.” – Jason Tindall on Anthony Gordon
Tindall meanwhile was asked about Alexander Isak, who has been battling a niggly groin issue in recent months. Howe had declared it no longer a concern after Monday’s win at Leicester City but his assistant seemed to suggest assessment was still ongoing.
“He’s trained the last couple of days. He’s trained and feels fine. One that we assess day by day but we’re expecting him to hopefully be available and be fit for the weekend.” – Jason Tindall on Alexander Isak
“We’re not really looking ahead of Man United. Our main focus is Man United and making sure that we deliver that performance. What happens after that is the time when we’ll reflect and assess each individual player and make that call after that game, going into the Crystal Palace game.” – Jason Tindall on whether Alexander Isak can start three games in a week
Lewis Hall (foot), Sven Botman (knee) and Jamaal Lascelles (knee) remain unavailable, while Joe Willock will miss at least the first fixture of Newcastle’s Double Gameweek 32 because of a concussion.
ARSENAL
Bukayo Saka (knock) and Declan Rice (knock) have both been passed fit after hobbling out of the midweek win over Real Madrid.
“With Dec and Bukayo, they are both fit. It was just a matter of two kicks and they have recovered well so they are available for tomorrow.” – Mikel Arteta
Jurrien Timber was the third and final Gunner who seemed to be forced off on Tuesday. While we haven’t yet had an update on him, it seemed like the Dutchman was only struggling with cramp in the game’s closing stages.
Elsewhere, Riccardo Calafiori (knee) remains out with no timeline on his return.
“Ricky [Calafiori] is progressing really well. To give you a timeline is difficult because he needs to step up, especially having more people around and [seeing] how the knee reacts after that, but he is in a good place, I think.” – Mikel Arteta
Gabriel Jesus (knee), Gabriel Magalhaes (hamstring), Kai Havertz (hamstring) and Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee) are out for the rest of the campaign.
On the prospect of more rotation this weekend, Mikel Arteta certainly left the door open for changes.
“We will look now at how the players have recovered. It’s not just about this game, it’s about the schedule that we have in the next few weeks as well. Whoever plays will be very competitive.” – Mikel Arteta
LIVERPOOL
Arne Slot’s press conference was dominated by talk of Mohamed Salah‘s new contract.
The Liverpool boss was eventually asked about the latest team news and revealed that Alisson (concussion) had been cleared to play in Gameweek 32.
“Yes, he is.” – Arne Slot on whether Alisson is fully recovered
Joe Gomez (hamstring) and Trent Alexander-Arnold (ankle) miss out again.
Slot was also asked if Conor Bradley‘s substitute appearance in Gameweek 31 puts him in starting contention this weekend.
“Yes, it does [put Bradley in starting contention].
“Of course it’s a boost, it’s always a boost when quality players come back, especially quality players in that position because I think Curtis Jones is a quality player but it’s not his favourite position.
“So to have a player in his favourite position is always – not always – but it might be better for the team. And Conor has done so well for us this season, just like Trent [Alexander-Arnold]. But when Trent then isn’t there, you always hope to look behind you and see that Conor is available.
“But then if he isn’t, we have to solve that problem. And we are not the only team in this league that has had these problems. So, we’ve tried to bring the best out of it.
“That worked really well against Everton. I think Curtis played well also against Fulham. Of course he was involved in the goal but you can ask yourself the question if he could do so much about that. He did it quite well to very well, in my opinion, for two times.
“But now to have Conor back, I think we all would make the same decision and that’s playing Conor in that position.” – Arne Slot on Conor Bradley
Slot confirmed that Ibrahima Konate‘s substitution at Fulham was merely to get more attack-minded players on the field as the Reds chased a result.
CHELSEA
Enzo Maresca’s Gameweek 32 presser took the form of an embargoed section filmed in the aftermath of Thursday’s win over Legia Warsaw. As a result, team news was in short supply.
The Blues head coach did have something to say about Nicolas Jackson’s game-time, however.
“We need to manage him because you can see how important Nico is for us, how bad it has been playing games without him. I said since day one, he is that kind of striker who is always a threat to the opposition’s defensive line. Off the ball, he is very aggressive. I think us, with Nico, we are a better team, so we are going to try to manage him until the end.” – Enzo Maresca on Nicolas Jackson
Maresca had earlier in the evening confirmed that Cole Palmer‘s half-time substitution in Poland wasn’t injury-related.
On Wednesday, the Chelsea boss had positive updates on Romeo Lavia (muscle) and Marc Guiu (hamstring). Maresca said he hoped to get Lavia back “very soon”, adding that Guiu is “much better” and aiming to be back “before the season finishes”.
Wesley Fofana (muscle) and Omari Kellyman (hamstring) are out for the rest of 2024/25, while Mykhailo Mudryk is still provisionally banned by the Football Association.
MANCHESTER CITY
In a very brief open section of his pre-match presser, Pep Guardiola confirmed that Nathan Ake (foot), Manuel Akanji (groin), John Stones (adductor) and Erling Haaland (ankle) are sidelined – as expected.
Rodri (knee) has been out since September and, so far as we’re aware, has only been doing individual rehab work on the grass.
CRYSTAL PALACE
Marc Guehi and Eddie Nketiah will be suspended for the first fixture of Palace’s Double Gameweek 32. Both were sent off for two cautions last weekend.
On the injury front, there is good news.
Chris Richards (calf) and Maxence Lacroix (head) are fit to play, with the latter avoiding a concussion in the win over Brighton.
Chadi Riad and Cheick Doucoure are out for the season with knee injuries.
Romain Esse and Matt Turner will also miss Saturday’s game through illness.
ASTON VILLA
Leon Bailey is close to returning, having missed Villa’s last four matches since returning from the international break with a knock.
He will be assessed ahead of Saturday’s trip to Southampton.
“We are going to train now, in one hour we are on the field. And how they are ready, the players today. Yesterday we worked, of course, and at the beginning, the players who were available for Wednesday, they will be for tomorrow. But I will check it.
“The only one is Leon Bailey, who is progressively getting better. Today, maybe, he is working with the group. If not for tomorrow, hopefully for next Tuesday, he will be available.” – Unai Emery
Donyell Malen and Andres Garcia didn’t feature against Paris Saint-Germain in midweek but only because they were not included in the Champions League squad in February.
BOURNEMOUTH
Andoni Iraola is still unsure whether he will have Justin Kluivert (muscle), Marcus Tavernier (ankle) and/or Luis Sinisterra (hamstring) back for the visit of Fulham.
“We still have three days until Monday night. We will try with Justin, with Tav, with Sini. Probably of the three, Sini is the one with the less chances to arrive. With his precedent, we have to be careful with him. We will try. I cannot tell you right now, we still have three days, but that’s our situation right now.” – Andoni Iraola
Ryan Christie‘s (groin) season is over after he underwent surgery this week. Enes Unal (knee) remains on the sidelines, too.
BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION
Kaoru Mitoma is a concern for the Seagulls ahead of the visit of Leicester City.
The Brighton injury news is otherwise unchanged, so Joel Veltman (foot), Georginio Rutter (ankle), Adam Webster (muscle), Tariq Lamptey (foot), James Milner (hamstring), Ferdi Kadioglu (toe), Igor Julio (hamstring) and Jason Steele (shoulder) look set to miss out again.
“I think there are no big changes. Kaoru is doubtful, he will try in training today. Overall, the rest stays the same.” – Fabian Hurzeler
Jan Paul van Hecke will also sit out Gameweek 32 after his dismissal for two bookable offences last weekend.
“[Eiran] Cash[in] for sure will be an option. Mats Wieffer already played there. Carlos Baleba is an option.” – Fabian Hurzeler on who will step in for Jan Paul van Hecke
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Radu Dragusin (knee), Kevin Danso (hamstring) and Dejan Kulusevski (foot) remain out but Spurs have no new concerns from Thursday’s clash with Eintracht Frankfurt.
Kulusevski actually trained with his teammates on Friday but won’t be considered for selection this weekend.
“No [concerns], not from last night. There were a couple of boys cramping up at the end – Destiny [Udogie], Micky [van de Ven] – and a couple of small knocks. We had big physical numbers last night, so the boys are a little bit tired this morning, but health wise, everyone’s good.” – Ange Postecoglou
Rotation could be on the cards in Gameweek 32.
“It’s a bit of a combination with Thursday in mind, but also with Sunday in mind. Like I said, it was a big physical toll last night and Wolves away is a challenging game. For us, it will be about managing minutes of some of guys, but also getting some minutes into other guys.
“We’ll need a big game, a big performance on Sunday, so having some fresh legs will help, but also looking to next Thursday. It’s not just about resting guys or managing guys, it’s also about having guys ready next week. It could go to 120 minutes and we’ll need people ready to go, so with a combination of those factors, we’ll make some changes.” – Ange Postecoglou
MANCHESTER UNITED
Kobbie Mainoo (calf) returned to the United squad for Thursday’s UEFA Europa League clash with Lyon.
Matthijs de Ligt (foot) and Toby Collyer (leg) missed out again, however, having sat out Gameweek 31.
Rubem Amorin isn’t expecting either of those back, while Ayden Heaven (ankle/foot), Jonny Evans (muscle), Amad Diallo (ankle) and Lisandro Martinez (knee) remain sidelined, too.
“I think it’s the same squad.” – Ruben Amorim on the latest team news
Amorim was also asked about the possibility of rotating – and even resting Bruno Fernandes.
“There’s a great responsibility. We don’t have a team that is really big to [rotate], and then we have some players that I know that cannot make 90 minutes in this moment still.
“We have to be careful, so we will try to address all these subjects in the game against Newcastle. But we have a great responsibility when we play any game, so I will try to look at that. That is for sure. But we have to face Newcastle with a team that we can be competitive, and to win the game.” – Ruben Amorim on rotating
“It’s an evaluation. We’ll make this evaluation with all the staff, with all the data that we have, and then because we know already the players, we will try to protect the ones that it will be hard to make a lot of games.
“But Bruno Fernandes is playing all the time and he’s playing better all the time. Sometimes, this kind of player has to play in every match. But we will address that in these days that we have to prepare.” – Ruben Amorim on the possibility of resting Bruno Fernandes
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS
Matheus Cunha returns from suspension this weekend – but he’ll have to make do with a substitute appearance as Vitor Pereira has pledged to start the same team again this weekend.
Pedro Lima (ankle) has joined an injury list that already contains longer-term absentees Sasa Kalajdzic (knee), Yerson Mosquera (knee), Leon Chiwome (knee) and Enso Gonzalez (knee).
EVERTON
Vitalii Mykolenko (thigh) has been back on the grass this week after missing the draw with Arsenal last weekend.
Dwight McNeil has also suffered no adverse reaction to his comeback appearance off the bench in Gameweek 31 but Moyes “doesn’t think” he’s ready to start yet.
Jesper Lindstrom (groin) has had hernia surgery this week, however, and could join Orel Mangala (knee) on the sidelines for the rest of 2024/25.
“We’ve got Myko [Mykolenko] back on the grass training, Dwight [McNeil] is back, still trying to get them up to speed, but they’re certainly in and around things.
“Unfortunately, Jesper has had a hernia operation yesterday, so that will rule Jesper out, probably for most of the season now. That’s disappointing for him and for us because he started to show some decent form in the last month or so and he was an important player for us.” – David Moyes
Dominic Calvert-Lewin (hamstring) is still at least three weeks away from a playing comeback.
“Dom is out on the grass and he’s training well. I think because it’s been a hamstring injury, it’s not the sort of thing we can speed up greatly and bring him back. We’re trying to follow all the protocols with it and trying not to bring him back too quickly but we’re roughly thinking about another three weeks before we’re even talking about him getting back into… I don’t know about full-time training or actual games yet, I’m not sure. But we certainly think he’s got another three weeks before we can start mentioning him.” – David Moyes
FULHAM
Marco Silva reports no fresh team news ahead of Monday’s trip to Bournemouth.
Harry Wilson (foot) has been involved with the team in the last few days, with a late assessment set to be made to see if he can be involved.
Reiss Nelson (hamstring) is likely out for the season.
WEST HAM UNITED
The Hammers remain without Crysencio Summerville (hamstring) and Michail Antonio (leg).
Graham Potter said he expected to have a “similar squad” to last week, so we’re assuming that the Hammers are still without Aaron Cresswell after he sat out Gameweek 31.
IPSWICH TOWN
Omari Hutchinson is still “doubtful” after missing the last two games with a hamstring issue.
Kieran McKenna reported that the Tractor Boys have “one or two knocks” from Gameweek 31, as well.
One of those may be Conor Townsend (hamstring), who McKenna previously said “had to come off” last Saturday.
Wes Burns (knee), Chiedozie Ogbene (Achilles), Ari Muric (shoulder) and Sammie Szmodics (ankle) are all on the medium-to-long-term injury list.
