Premier League injury news: Federico Chiesa could return for Liverpool, Newcastle striker Callum Wilson ruled out

Ahead of the weekend's Premier League matches, managers have given updates on their team's fitness problems. For Liverpool, Arne Slot sounded cautiously optimistic over Diogo Jota and long-suffering Federico Chiesa, while Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe commented on another injury blow for Callum Wilson. Both Nick Pope and Joe Willock are also injury concerns for the Magpies.

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Jota and Chiesa ‘maybe’ fit for Liverpool

Liverpool boss Arne Slot thinks there is a chance that both Diogo Jota and Federico Chiesa could be fit for their match with Fulham.

The league leaders play on Saturday afternoon at Anfield, and speaking at a Friday press conference, the Dutch coach revealed Jota is more likely to be included than Chiesa, who has just three appearances to his name this season.

"I think they are [available]," said Slot. "We have one training session to go.

"Federico missed quite a lot. We have to see. Maybe Diogo is in the squad, maybe Federico as well but that depends on the numbers we have."

Discussing Chiesa, Slot added: "What he needs is playing time.

"If you haven't played for five or six months, it is sometimes difficult for a manager to give him those minutes because you don't know what to expect. Maybe the Southampton game would be a good game to give him minutes. He needs to get his fitness level. He needs playing time. But it is not always easy to find these minutes."

Wilson out for Newcastle

Callum Wilson has suffered another injury and will miss Newcastle’s match against Leicester City on Saturday afternoon.

Wilson has already missed much of the season through injury, and Howe will have to make do without him once more.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of the weekend’s matches, he said: ""Really feel for Callum. We see the work, the dedication and professionalism that he's shown. You have to understand how difficult this season has been for him. He's had a couple of setbacks when he's looked so close to training regularly.

"He's not cut corners, he's gone through a vigorous process to keep himself fit. When you see him not get the end result this time, I feel really sad for him but I back him to come back again and have the mental resilience he will need to fight again because we know his qualities."

With Wilson now expected to miss two months - according to a report from the Mail - there will be renewed speculation that Newcastle will attempt to make signings in the upcoming January transfer window.

As well as Wilson, there are doubts over Nick Pope, who has a knee injury that needs to be examined, and Joe Willock has not trained ahead of Saturday's game.

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Guardiola on Akanji injury - ‘He cannot be there’

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has confirmed that defender Manuel Akanji will miss the derby this weekend against Manchester United.

A pelvis problem means he is unavailable.

Guardiola said: "It is discomfort in the area of the pelvis. It doesn’t feel good. He made an incredible effort playing against Bournemouth. He wasn’t even at half of his best, but at the end, he had to step back.

"He’s such a strong and reliable player, but he cannot be there [on Sunday]."

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Evans back for Man Utd

Ruben Amorim has no fresh injury concerns ahead of the Manchester derby.

His team won 2-1 in Czechia last night against Viktoria Plzen. The Portuguese acknowledged some tiredness for his players, but his only update was that Jonny Evans is back in training.

He said: "Some players were tired in the end, you could see it, also because of the transitions. It was a crazy game in the end.

"But I think everyone is going to be fit and ready to win the game. [Evans is] training already."

Arteta hoping for Gabriel return

Asked about the return of defenders Gabriel and Riccardo Calafiori, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said that the Brazilian is the likeliest of the pair to feature against Everton tomorrow.

He said: "There is a possibility with one of them to be available. He trained today. It’s Gabriel."

On Calafiori, he added: "We’re just respecting the times that the medical department has set. We monitor him every day."

Emery sweats on Watkins fitness

Aston Villa manager is not yet sure if striker Ollie Watkins will be fit for the match at Nottingham Forest.

Speaking at his press conference, he explained: "I don’t know, because we are waiting. Yesterday he was recovering, and today in the afternoon we are going to train and in the case he is training normally, feeling good, he’s going to be available tomorrow."

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