With three more Premier League teams in action in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday evening, we had another round of pre-match press conferences to dissect today.
The most important injury updates are below.
If you missed Monday’s recap, it’s here – and it now includes today’s new news Viktor Gyokeres (muscle).
CHELSEA
Finally an update on it Cole Palmer (groin).
Enzo Maresca was asked on Tuesday about the sidelined England international, specifically whether he would be back for the Champions League match against Barcelona on November 25.
The Gameweek 12 trip to Burnley precedes that match.
“We hope so, but with Cole we try to plan, we try to plan in the beginning. Then we have to look at that. So at the moment we continue day by day with Cole. He is still not together, he is not taking sessions with the team.” – Enzo Maresca on Cole Palmer may return against Barcelona at the end of November
The aforementioned encounter with the Clarets is: if we can believe the reportsa target for Palmer to get some variety.
Elsewhere, Pedro Neto will not be in danger in Wednesday’s match with Qarabag due to a small problem.
“Yes, no problem, but a small problem. So we are trying to protect him. He is not involved in tomorrow’s match.” – Enzo Maresca on Pedro Neto
In the meantime, Benoit Badiashile (muscle) is also on course for a return after the November internationals.
“We have Benoit Badiashile who can probably be available after the international break and that is big news for us.” – Enzo Maresca
Levi Colwill (knee), Mychailo Mudryk (suspended) and Dario Essugo (thigh) remain offside.
Liam Delap however, is available again after serving a one-match domestic suspension this weekend.
MANCHESTER CITY
There was no team news from Pep Guardiola at Tuesday’s press conference.
The City boss has not even seen his squad since last weekend after making the unusual decision to postpone training until the morning of the match against Borussia Dortmund.
We are not aware of any other problems in the Cityzens camp then Matthew Kovacic (single).
With Dortmund in town the focus was unsurprisingly on Erland Haaland prior to a reunion with his former employers.
Guardiola took the opportunity to discuss how he plans to guide the big Norwegian through the busy times ahead.
“I always try to organize the team so that he can run as little as possible. Because he is so big, he cannot play every three days, you know, ninety minutes and make the big plays at 30/40 meters – I don’t want that.
“Another thing, I always think, is that the teams that play every three days, eleven months, have just as much control over the ball through the passes – not [just] during this period of the season, for 11 months, you can handle the matches as you wish. You survive. Less injuries and such. That’s why we try, but at the same time, if it’s not possible, you have to help us. And he helps us.” – Pep Guardiola on Erling Haaland
NEWCASTLE UNITED
There’s a bit of sickness in the Newcastle camp at the moment that all fingers are pointing at Sandro Tonali being the ‘Typhus Mary’ of the Magpies.
The bug led to Kieran Trippier missed in Gameweek 10, with Bruno Guimaraes the last to be affected. The Brazilian midfielder is now doubtful for Wednesday’s match against Athletic Club.
“It seems like there’s a bit of sickness going through the squad because several players have picked something up now. So I think initially Sandro, Jacob Murphy, Bruno, Kieran. So we’ll make a decision on Bruno tomorrow. He’s such an important player for us but he obviously hasn’t been himself and that’s why he missed training today.” –Eddie Howe
At least Trippier is training again.
And there was the welcome sight of that Tino Livramento (knee) Tuesday on the grasseven if the Champions League meeting during the week comes too early for him.
Harrison Ashby (thigh) and Yoane warned (knee) also remain unavailable.
Eddie Howe was asked again about Sunday’s triple half-time substitution, specifically the withdrawal of Nick Woltemade And Anthony Gordon.
“I think with Nick we are very conscious that we have included him in every game, close enough. I thought he looked a bit tired and it’s a matter of making a decision that I thought would benefit the team and Nick in the future because he carries a big burden on his shoulders, which I think… if at any point I feel he is tired then I have to take action and help him. So that was the thinking behind that.
“Look, with Anthony he has played very well in the Champions League. He has not quite reached that form in the Premier League and I think that is his challenge.” – Eddie Howe on his half-time substitutions in Gameweek 10
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