Football News, Notes & Injuries

De Ligt (back) won't play against Arsenal on Sunday and doesn't have an exact timeline for a return, manager Michael Carrick told media Friday. "I think it was just a little bit slower than initially hoped but he's certainly getting closer," Carrick said of De Ligt. "Hopefully, the next couple of weeks, without putting an exact timeline on it, he'll be back and it'll be great to have him back."

Doucoure (knee) was able to participate in training with the group for a few minutes, according to manager Oliver Glasner. "It was the first time - just for 20 minutes in the warm-up, in the rondo - that he was part of the group. He had his surgery on 28th January last year, so one year ago, and everybody was - because Cheicky is such a lovely guy - everybody was pleased for him."

Munoz (knee) is an option for Sunday's match against Chelsea, according to manager Oliver Galsner. "Dani came back at the beginning of the week. Dani was so pleased that he can train with us again - helped the team to change the mood, and this was really great to see."

Hincapie (thigh) is uncertain for Sunday's game against Manchester United, manager Mikel Arteta told media during Friday's pre-match press conference. "We still have another training session," Arteta said at the Sobha Realty Training Centre, "so we'll see tomorrow, after that, to assess everybody and make a decision, first of all in the squad."

Calafiori (strain) is uncertain for Sunday's game against Manchester United, manager Mikel Arteta told media during Friday's pre-match press conference. "We still have another training session," Arteta said at the Sobha Realty Training Centre, "so we'll see tomorrow, after that, to assess everybody and make a decision, first of all in the squad."

Muniz (hamstring) is nearing a return but is not an option for the next two games, according to manager Marco Silva. "Rodrigo next week is going to give other steps in the direction of what is important for him to be ready. If you ask me right now, next week he's probably not going to be in contention [to face Manchester United]. From the next week, if he's going to react well, probably have him soon in contention. But next week, for sure not."

Lukic is out for the next four to five weeks due to a hamstring injury, according to Marco Silva. "It was a difficult moment for him. After the game, it was painful, was difficult even to walk, and the feedback just confirmed that it was a serious injury. It's going to be difficult to define a clear timescale - more than four weeks probably out, four to five weeks he's going to be out of our plans for the games. He's another big player for us that is going to be out - it's a moment for the others to step in. It's our story so far this season."

Havertz (knee) won't be an option for Sunday's game against Manchester United, manager Mikel Arteta told media during Friday's press conference. "Well, he is very close. Obviously he has been out for a long time, almost a year for different reasons and now we have to be very smart in the manner that we manage that load, the minutes. I am sure in the next few weeks he is going to play in minutes."

Lavia (quadriceps) is nearing a return, according to manager Liam Rosenior. "Romeo is on the way back, which is great because he's a very good, outstanding player at a very high level. I want him back as quickly as possible, of course, but I want him back with no more injuries. We don't want to force him, we want him back where he can get into a flow of repetitive game time."

Essugo is set to miss a month of action following a training injury, according to manager Liam Rosenior. "Dario has picked up a really unfortunate injury. He slipped in training, and he's going to be out for a while. We expect him to be out for over a month, which is a real shame because he's an outstanding player."

Palmer (thigh) trained Friday and appears to be a late call for Sunday's match against Crystal Palace, according to manager Liam Rosenior. "Cole is in a good place. He joined in training today, which is really positive, and we will assess his reaction to training after the session."

Jorgensen (undisclosed) has avoided a serious injury but remains out for Sunday's match against Crystal Palace, according to manager Liam Rosenior. "Jorgensen has had his scan, and it was actually quite positive and not as bad as we first feared. He won't be available for Palace this weekend, but he could potentially be okay for Napoli. Other than that, all is good."

Bellegarde (hamstring) is eyeing a return against Bournemouth on Jan. 31 after training today, according to manager Rob Edwards.

Tete (hamstring) is an option for Saturday's match against Brighton, according to manager Marco Silva. "About Kenny - he's training with the team. Depending on my decision, he can be in contention for tomorrow."

Alcaraz (undisclosed) resumed team training this week and is nearing a return, coach David Moyes said in the press conference. "Alcaraz is back training. He is certainly getting much closer to it, that's for sure."

Branthwaite (hamstring) resumed full team training this week and is nearing a return, coach David Moyes said in the press conference. "Jarrad is back training. He is certainly getting much closer to it, that's for sure."

Dewsbury-Hall (hamstring) is back in team training, coach David Moyes said in the press conference. "Kiernan is back training. He is certainly getting much closer to it, that's for sure."

Grealish suffered a stress-fracture in his foot and is set to miss months despite not having a precise timeline yet, coach David Moyes said in the press conference. "It's not for me to give the timescales, and we've not got it yet from the doctors. He's got a stress-fracture in his foot. It's a big blow because he's been hugely important to us. We've had a few injuries but this is a big blow for us. We're in close contact with Manchester City, so we'll see how that works as we go along, and as we get more decisions from the specialists."

Unal (groin) could be an option for Saturday's clash against Liverpool, coach Andoni Iraola said in the press conference, according to the Bournemouth Echo. "Enes is the only one who has a chance."

Tavernier (hamstring) will miss some time and has no timeline to return yet, coach Andoni Iraola said in the press conference, according to the Bournemouth Echo.

Brooks (ankle) is still not an option for Saturday's clash against Liverpool, coach Andoni Iraola said in the press conference. "Brooks is not ready for this one."