DREAM TEAM brings you all the latest injury, suspension and availability news ahead of Gameweek 8 in one easily digestible dose.
Mikel Arteta’s press conference was eagerly anticipated by Dream Team managers worldwide as doubts over several Arsenal players unfolded during the international break.
In regards to Bukayo Saka, who is the third-most popular player in the game at present, the Gunners’ head coach said: “Not a serious injury, he’s evolving really well. We are hopeful.”
The Spanish tactician was slightly less optimistic about Kai Havertz’s chances of making the trip to Bournemouth but did not rule the German forward out, saying: “He had a few issues… if he trains well today [he will be involved].”
Late decisions will also be made on Gabriel Martinelli, Ben White, Jurrien Timber and Oleksandr Zinchenko – all are considered doubts at this stage.
Kieran Trippier has suffered a hamstring injury and will be unavailable for “a few weeks” according to Eddie Howe – Tino Livramento is therefore in line to start at right-back for Newcastle at home to Brighton on Saturday.
The Magpies may also be boosted by the return of Alexander Isak with the Sweden international in contention for selection having returned to training.
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Howe plans to be more protective over Callum Wilson following the striker’s return to training, telling journalists: “Callum has trained but we will continue to assess it day by day. We need to make sure it is the right time when we re-enter him into the group.”
Kobbie Mainoo is expected to be sidelined until after the next international break in November.
The Manchester United midfielder initially felt something during his side’s 3-0 defeat to Tottenham at the end of September and pulled out of England’s Nations League squad after playing 85 minutes against Aston Villa.
The teenager is likely to miss the Red Devils’ next seven games.
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Manuel Ugarte is also due for assessment after he was forced off late in the game for Uruguay against Ecuador.
In more positive news for the Old Trafford faithful, Noussair Mazraoui has been declared available by Erik ten Hag, to the surprise of many supporters and pundits.
The Moroccan defender underwent minor heart surgery during the international break and there were initial fears he might be out for a while but he’s seemingly ready to play this weekend.
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Elsewhere, Arne Slot listed Alexis Mac Allister, Wataru Endo and Kostas Tsimikas as players who need to be assessed following international break concerns.
The Dutchman also confirmed that Caoimhin Kelleher will deputise for Alisson while the Brazilian goalkeeper recovers over the next few weeks.
Chelsea have a clean bill of health ahead of their trip to Anfield but first-choice defenders Wesley Fofana and Marc Cucurella are suspended.
Reece James may make his first appearance of the season.
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Ange Postecoglou was happy to report that Son Heung-min and Richarlison are likely to make Spurs’ squad for their home game against West Ham this Saturday lunchtime.
“It’s a real positive for us,” said the Australian coach. “Sonny was always, hopefully, going to get through this international break really well and be ready. And Richy’s done some good work so hopefully both will be available for the weekend.”
Morgan Gibbs-White is injured and suspended for Gameweek 8 with James Ward-Prowse also set to serve a one-game ban following his dismissal at Chelsea before the break.
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Mats Selz wasn’t mentioned among Nottingham Forest’s absentees despite concern among fans ahead of Monday night’s meeting with Crystal Palace.
As for the Eagles, Oliver Glasner is hopeful he’ll be able to call upon regular starters Adam Wharton and Daniel Munoz, who have progressed well this week.
Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola doesn’t expect either Kevin de Bruyne or Nathan Ake to feature against Wolves although the latter might travel with the squad to Molineux.
Manuel Akanji and Manchester City’s Brazilian contingent need to be checked today but there are no known concerns of note at this stage.
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Jan Paul van Hecke, Georginio Rutter and Simon Adingra are all available for Brighton but Joao Pedro, Adam Webster and Matt O’Riley remain out.
Solly March’s return is still being carefully judged by Fabian Hurzeler’s staff with the midfielder having been sidelined for almost a year.
Robin Olsen is said to be Aston Villa’s only absentee which implies Tyrone Mings, Boubacar Kamara, Amadou Onana, Ezri Konsa, Jacob Ramsey, Jaden Philogene and John McGinn will all travel to Fulham.
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Injuries: Kieran Tierney, Oleksandr Zinchenko (doubt), Martin Odegaard, Ben White (doubt), Jurrien Timber (doubt), Gabriel Martinelli (doubt), Kai Havertz (doubt), Bukayo Saka (doubt)
Suspensions: None
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ASTON VILLA
Injuries: Robin Olsen
Suspensions: None
BOURNEMOUTH
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Injuries: None
Suspensions: None
BRENTFORD
Injuries: Aaron Hickey, Igor Thiago, Josh Dasilva, Yoane Wissa (doubt), Gustavo Nunes, Mathias Jensen, Rico Henry
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Suspensions: None
BRIGHTON
Injuries: Solly March (doubt), Matt O’Riley, James Milner (doubt), Joao Pedro, Adam Webster
Suspensions: None
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CHELSEA
Injuries: None
Suspensions: Wesley Fofana, Marc Cucurella
CRYSTAL PALACE
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Injuries: Matheus Franca, Chris Richards, Cheick Doucoure (doubt)
Suspensions: None
EVERTON
Injuries: Nathan Patterson, Jarrad Branthwaite (doubt), Youssef Chermiti, Armando Broja, Tim Iroegbunam, James Garner
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Suspensions: None
FULHAM
Injuries: Carlos Vinicius, Jorge Cuenca, Sasa Lukic (doubt), Timothy Castagne
Suspensions: None
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IPSWICH
Injuries: Jens Cajuste, Axel Tuanzebe,
Suspensions: None
LEICESTER
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Injuries: Patson Daka, Jakub Stolarczyk, Hamza Choudhury
Suspensions: None
LIVERPOOL
Injuries: Harvey Elliott, Federico Chiesa (doubt), Alisson,
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Suspensions: None
MANCHESTER CITY
Injuries: Nathan Ake, Oscar Bobb, Kevin De Bruyne, Rodri
Suspensions: None
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MANCHESTER UNITED
Injuries: Luke Shaw, Leny Yoro, Tyrell Malacia, Mason Mount (doubt), Kobbie Mainoo, Harry Maguire, Manuel Ugarte (doubt)
Suspensions: None
NEWCASTLE
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Injuries: Callum Wilson, Lewis Miley (doubt), Jamaal Lascelles, Sven Botman, Matt Targett (doubt), Kieran Trippier, Martin Dubravka
Suspensions: None
NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Injuries: Danilo, Ibrahim Sangare
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Suspensions: Morgan Gibbs-White, James Ward-Prowse
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A.J. McKee has some business to handle on Saturday but if all goes well it looks like he’ll finally get the fight he’s been chasing for over a year.
At the upcoming PFL: Battle of the Giants event, McKee faces fast-rising prospect Paul Hughes in the first bout on the pay-per-view main card but it seemed like a showdown against Bellator lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov was inevitable. An injury knocked McKee out of the Bellator Lightweight Grand Prix, which prevented him from chasing the fight back then, but a recent encounter with Usman’s cousin and coach Khabib Nurmagomedov gave him the news he’s been waiting to hear.
“That’s the fight everyone wants is Usman and McKee,” McKee told MMA Fighting. “I think that’s what’s on the roster next. That’s what everybody wants and I don’t think there’s any other fights to make.
“I was down at [Usman’s] fight in San Diego and Khabib [Nurmagomedov] walks by and says ‘see you in Dubai.’ I’m like I’ll see you in Dubai so it looks like they’re pushing for it and I’m pushing for it. So it looks like we’re going to make it happen. There’s really no other fight to make happen.”
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Since moving to lightweight, McKee has gone undefeated with a perfect 4-0 record including a lightning quick finish over PFL favorite Clay Collard back in February.
This time around he’s facing an up and comer in Hughes, who just signed with PFL as a free agent earlier this year and only has one fight under his belt with the promotion. Going from a win over a journeyman like Bobby King to a fight against arguably the No. 1 contender in the lightweight division might seem like an almost unrealistic step up in competition.
McKee can’t get inside Hughes’ head to know what he’s thinking but he plans on showing him there are levels to this game when they meet on Saturday.
“He really hasn’t dealt with any pressure,” McKee said. “He’s just been kind of walking through guys. How’s he going to react when things get a little nitty gritty and sticky? I’m not one to back down. So I’m going to be in his face the entire time. That’s what we’re going to have to see. How does Paul Hughes react when things aren’t going his way? What is he going to be capable of in those moments?
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“I remember wanting to be neck and neck with the best. But it’s like Fast and the Furious — too soon Junior. That’s the quote I’m looking to drop in this one.”
Truth be told, McKee didn’t even really knows Hughes before he got offered the fight because he leaves scouting up to his father and trainer, Antonio McKee.
Maybe Hughes really is the next big thing but McKee promises he’s not going to be the stepping stone on his ascension to stardom.
“I don’t really pay attention [to my opponents],” McKee said. “My dad’s the one who watches video and footage and puts together the game plan. For me, a name is a name. The hit list is the hit list and I’m just going to continue to go in there and take out people one at a time. Paul Hughes, he’s a tough cat. I can’t take anything away from him. He’s been in there, he’s been fighting and I’m just going to go in there and show him I’m a different breed.
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“I’ve been in his position so I know that young, hungry feeling. I remember the first time I fought a vet. My first vet was Pat Curran. So I remember that hungry feeling. I remember wanting that moment. I’m older but I ain’t that old. I’m still holding my ground. I’m going to do what I do best and that’s come out victorious by any means.
“He lacks some game time, but that is normal,” Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola said Friday. “He is feeling very well, doing well, has good sensations and has trained very well this (international) break with us. He is ready.”
Adams was limited to three EPL games last season because of a hamstring injury that sidelined him from Sept. 27 until March 13. He returned for two matches, then didn’t play for Bournemouth after March 30 because of back spasms.
The 25-year-old Adams played a full game for the U.S. when it was eliminated from the Copa América with a 1-0 group stage loss to Uruguay on July 1 and had back surgery days later.
Watch as Great Britain’s Josh Charlton wins silver in the men’s individual pursuit, as Italy’s Jonathan Milan breaks the world record to win gold at the Track Cycling World Championships in Copenhagen.
LAS VEGAS – UFC Fight Night 245 weigh-ins took place Friday, and the fighters came face-to-face one final time before Saturday’s event.
The weigh-ins took place at the UFC Apex, which hosts Saturday’s event (ESPN+). Check out the video above to see the athletes from all 11 scheduled matchups come face-to-face, and don’t miss the photo gallery below.
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