Andy Robertson is set to make his first Liverpool appearance of the season after overcoming an ankle injury sustained on the eve of the campaign.
Liverpool will face a stern test to maintain their 100 per cent winning start to the season when they face Chelsea, who themselves have taken six points from six in their opening two games, but will be boosted by the return of Scotland’s captain.
“Now I’ve trained today and I’ll have a full week of training so let’s see what happens against Chelsea,” Robertson said on Tuesday. “But I’ll be ready, I’ll be ready to play, and like I said I’ll hopefully be fit for the rest of the season now.”
Manchester City are likely to be without Kevin De Bruyne for the second game running as he recovers from an ankle injury initially sustained during Euro 2020. Spurs, meanwhile, will have Son Heung-min available to face Watford, after he had a hamstring scare in the warm-up before last weekend’s 1-0 win over Wolves.
Here is all the key team news ahead of this weekend’s fixtures.
Manchester City vs Arsenal
Kevin De Bruyne has been omitted from Belgium’s squad for their World Cup qualifiers due to an ankle problem and is unlikely to play.
Bukayo Saka is a doubt after picking up a knock in Arsenal’s resounding 6-0 win over West Brom in midweek. Ben White remains sidelined due to Covid issues, while Mikel Arteta cryptically said he has “one or two doubts” lingering from Sunday’s defeat to Chelsea.
Aston Villa vs Brentford
Ollie Watkins will have a late fitness test to see whether he can face his former club. Leon Bailey is expected to be in contention after missing the win against Newcastle.
Thomas Frank confirmed that Ethan Pinnock will play against Villa after an ankle scare. Mathias Jensen could make his first appearance of the season, but Josh Dasilva remains unavailable.
Brighton vs Everton
Graham Potter said he is “hopeful” that Neal Maupay will be able to feature for Brighton after suffering a shoulder injury against Watford. Enock Mwepu has an outside chance to play after limping off against Cardiff, while Danny Welbeck may get his first minutes of the season. Tariq Lamptey, Dan Burn and Joel Veltman remain unavailable.
Moise Kean is suspended after his sending off against Huddersfield in the Carabao Cup. Alex Iwobi is touch-and-go after feeling tightness in his groin in that game. James Rodriguez is tipped to leave before Tuesday’s transfer deadline.
Newcastle vs Southampton
Martin Dubravka could be out of action for eight weeks after a wound in his foot, sustained during surgery, got infected. Karl Darlow is still recovering from Covid. Jonjo Shelvey is out for a “few weeks” due to a calf problem, but Isaac Hayden and Paul Dummett could be in contention.
Stuart Armstrong’s calf injury will be assessed. Otherwise, Ralph Hasenhuttl is expected to be at full strength.
Norwich vs Leicester
Sam Byram is unavailable for Norwich due to a thigh issue. Brandon Williams could make his first Premier League start after signing on loan from Manchester United.
Leicester will be without new signing Jannik Vestergaard once more due to a knee injury, meaning Daniel Amartey could continue in central defence. Ryan Bertrand could be in contention, though, after recovering from Covid.
West Ham vs Crystal Palace
Arthur Masuaku is West Ham’s only absentee as he remains sidelined with a knee injury.
Crystal Palace will have to wait until after the international break to hand Michael Olise his debut. Eberechi Eze (Achilles) and Nathan Ferguson (knee) are long-term absentees for Patrick Vieira’s side.
Liverpool vs Chelsea
Andy Robertson says he is “ready” to return against Chelsea after missing Liverpool’s opening two fixtures of the season and could dislodge Kostas Tsimikas from the starting line-up.
Christian Pulisic is unavailable for Chelsea after testing positive for Covid. Thomas Tuchel is expected to have a full squad to pick from aside from the USA international.
Burnley vs Leeds
Aaron Lennon played in the Carabao Cup in midweek and could feature against his former club after re-joining Burnley. Sean Dyche described Ashley Westwood and Matej Vydra as “touch and go” before the Newcastle game in midweek and they will be assessed before Sunday’s match.
Robin Koch is a doubt with a groin issue. Otherwise, Marcelo Bielsa has a full squad to pick from.
Spurs vs Watford
Son Heung-min has taken part in full training this week after hobbling off against Wolves last Sunday. Cristiano Romero could make his full Premier League debut after overcoming a knee issue. Harry Kane is in line to return to the starting line-up.
Danny Rose could feature against his former club after making his Watford debut against Crystal Palace in midweek. Juraj Kucka will have a late fitness test after missing the defeat to Brighton but Joao Pedro is still out with a knee injury.
Wolves vs Man Utd
Willy Boly will be assessed before the game having been sidelined with a hamstring complaint. Pedro Neto and Jonny Otto (both knee) are long-term absentees.
Scott McTominay is set to be out of action for up to a month after undergoing groin surgery. Edinson Cavani could be handed his first minutes of the campaign. Marcus Rashford is ahead of schedule in his comeback from shoulder surgery but isn’t expected back until October.
from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/2WtsE3D
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