Premier League injury news and updates: Arsenal blow as Ben White out for 'months'; Liverpool without Alisson
Updated 22/11/2024 at 14:40 GMT
The Premier League returns with Matchday 12, but which players could miss out for their clubs this weekend? The action starts on Saturday lunchtime with Chelsea at Leicester, live on TNT Sports and discovery+. Reece James misses out for Chelsea due to injury while Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka could be doubts for Arsenal. Alisson is still out for Liverpool along with Man City's Mateo Kovacic.
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The Premier League is back after the final international break of the year.
It’s now full steam ahead into Christmas and beyond with the next international fixtures not until March.
But which players are injury doubts ahead of Matchday 12 in the Premier League and who will definitely miss out?
Chelsea: James out again
Chelsea captain Reece James has been ruled out of Saturday's trip to Leicester City – live on TNT Sports and discovery+ – after suffering a fresh injury blow.
The 24-year-old only returned in October after missing the start of the season but is now set for another spell on the sidelines.
"We have, for sure, just one injured player and that is Reece," head coach Enzo Maresca said at Thursday's press conference.
"Unfortunately, he felt something small, and we do not want to take a risk with him at the weekend. He is the only one for sure who is not available for this weekend.
James has made a combined 15 appearances since the start of last season.
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Arsenal: White out for 'months'
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta confirmed that Ben White is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after undergoing surgery for a knee injury.
"Ben White is going to be out for months, unfortunately," Arteta said in his pre-match press conference ahead of facing Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
"It's been different kinds of struggles, never the same thing.
"We had to make a decision, it hasn't been improving in the last few weeks. We know Ben is going to push every boundary, but it got to a point where we had to protect the player.
"We decided to do surgery, he agreed with that and that's going to keep him out for a few months.
"We have to see how he reacts post-surgery, I don't expect it to be half a year but I can't say exactly how long it will be."
Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka look set to be available, after the duo withdrew from England duty due to injuries.
"Bukayo and Declan have had their first partial sessions back today - they did very well," Arteta added.
"Riccardo Calafiori has trained, his rehab has gone really well. This week he trained on the pitch, he trained with us today - and he will be back in the squad.
"Kieran [Tierney] is not ready. He had a couple of sessions with the team, but he's not ready to be with them. [Takehiro] Tomiyasu is going to be a little while yet."
Leandro Trossard has also trained after being forced off in the first half during Belgium’s defeat to Israel.
Everton: McNeil boost
Everton manager Sean Dyche gave positive updates on Dwight McNeil and Jarrad Branthwaite ahead of facing Brentford.
"Dwight has come through really well and has had a really good week," the Everton boss said. "Jarrad has trained today [Thursday] after settling things down, so we'll see how he responds overnight but we're hopeful on that and he should be okay."
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On-loan forward Armando Broja remains out. On Thursday, Dyche spoke about integrating the deadline day signing into his squad after an Achilles injury has kept him sidelined since pre-season.
"He has done enough with us here and we cannot really replicate the feeling of games, so I would prefer him for the 21s because it at least feels like a game," Dyche said.
"We are just discussing the next steps now. He has had a really strong week and a really strong rehab, so hopefully that allows us to fast‑track it a bit more than we normally would."
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Liverpool: Alisson OUT, TAA Not training
Alisson has been back in training after missing Liverpool’s last seven games in all competitions due to a hamstring injury but head coach Arne Slot says he is "not ready for Sunday" against Southampton.
Caoimhin Kelleher is set to continue in goal after an impressive string of performances deputising for Alisson - conceding just four goals in six matches to help Slot's side extend their lead at the top of the Premier League to five points.
"We are careful with everyone, especially when it comes to muscle injuries," Slot said on Friday. "Alisson is training with the goalkeepers but not with the team. He is getting better but is not ready for Sunday."
Meanwhile, Trent Alexander-Arnold is an injury doubt as he has yet to train after pulling out of international duty with England.
Captain Virgil van Dijk is expected to play against Southampton after being released from the Netherlands squad ahead of their Nations League match against Bosnia & Herzegovina on Tuesday.
"Virgil is all good, he is training with us today," said Slot.
"Trent isn’t training with us. [Diogo] Jota and [Federico] Chiesa are both expected with us in the next few weeks."
Man City: Kovacic sidelined
Manchester City’s title hopes have taken a hit in recent weeks with back-to-back Premier League defeats, while reeling off the back of four consecutive losses in all competitions.
However, there has been positive news with manager Pep Guardiola signing a new two-year deal on Thursday.
City could welcome back several players from injury against Tottenham, with John Stones and Manuel Akanji both back in training.
"John trained good, Manu trained good. Nathan [Ake] is coming back to training, so we didn’t have any centre-backs and now we have three," said Guardiola.
"Ruben [Dias] is out but hopefully back soon. Some players recover better. These 10 days some players recovered a little. I don’t know if they are ready to play 90 minutes or play from the beginning but to see the training session and see their faces was a really good boost for all of us."
However, Guardiola says midfielder Mateo Kovacic is out for "three weeks or a month" with injury.
Jeremy Doku, Phil Foden and Jack Grealish have all trained this week and could be available for selection.
Man Utd: Amorim set for debut
New head coach Ruben Amorim takes charge of Manchester United for the first time against Ipswich this weekend.
He could be without defenders Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof, who both picked up injuries while away with Argentina and Sweden respectively.
On Martinez, Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni said: "We saw that he had suffered a blow to his back, but apparently, he had no problem, just pain. When he arrived here, the pain increased a bit, he underwent tests and is not fit to be here."
Summer signing Leny Yoro, who has yet to play for United after fracturing his metatarsal in pre-season, continues his comeback from injury after returning to training earlier this month.
Newcastle: Wilson, Trippier to be assessed
Callum Wilson and Kieran Trippier will both be assessed before Newcastle's game against West Ham on Monday.
Forward Wilson is "doing well" but "has to get through the next few days in training" before a decision is made, says manager Eddie Howe.
Trippier is "slightly closer than Callum", according to Howe, as he looks to make his first appearance since October 5.
Defender Emil Krafth is out for "six to eight weeks" after undergoing an operation.
Southampton: Ramsdale injured
Southampton will be without goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale and centre-back Jan Bednarek for a "number of weeks" due to injuries.
Ramsdale withdrew from England's squad last week because of a finger injury while Bednarek suffered a knee issue as he was taken off during Poland's 5-1 defeat to Portugal.
"They’ll both be out for this weekend and a number of weeks," confirmed manager Russell Martin.
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Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale
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Tottenham: Bentacur banned, Romero out
Spurs will be without midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur after he was banned for seven matches following a racial slur made about teammate Heung-min Son.
The incident happened while Bentancur was in his home country of Uruguay back in June. Bentancur issued an apology but was charged by the FA, and has now received a suspension.
Ange Postecoglou said he is "fully" in "support" of the club appealing the severity of the ban.
Micky van de Ven is still "a couple of weeks away" away from returning, according to Postecoglou, and Cristian Romero is also out.
"Romero won’t be right for tomorrow’s game," said Postecoglou.
"We’re hoping he will be alright for next week. The ones who were out before that are still out."
West Ham: Kudus suspended
West Ham United will continue to be without Mohammed Kudus for their trip to Newcastle on Monday.
The winger is serving a five-game ban after being sent off for violent conduct in last month's Premier League defeat at Tottenham Hotspur.
Summer signing Niclas Fullkrug will also miss the game due to injury.
"Niclas is out. He is improving but he is not ready for Newcastle," said manager Julen Lopetegui.
"They are little things (the injuries) so I hope we are going to be able to work on these problems."
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Aston Villa: Onana doubt
Amadou Onana could miss out for Aston Villa against Crystal Palace after suffering an injury while on duty with Belgium.
Onana played the full 90 minutes in his side's 1-0 defeat to Italy, but was sidelined in their narrow defeat to Israel on Sunday.
Crystal Palace: EZE won't be risked
Crystal Palace will be missing Eberechi Eze against Aston Villa.
Eze hasn't played since October 30 due to injury and manager Oliver Glasner said: "Ebs would like to be involved in tomorrow's game but I've taken the decision not to take him with us to Villa.
"It's a little bit too risky. He trained during the week but it's too near to when it happened and when you see our schedule, we can't take any risks."
On the rest of the team news, Glasner added: "Will Hughes will be back after his suspension. Chris Richards is available. Jefferson Lerma is back and available.
"Cheick Doucoure is ready to start after two weeks of very good training."
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