A huge weekend of Premier League action is just around the corner, with the title race, battle for Europe and relegation scrap all accelerating towards a thrilling conclusion at the end of the month.
Daily Mail Sport brings you all the live updates across Friday’s press conferences, with Mikel Arteta, Arne Slot and Pep Guardiola among the managers speaking…
‘Innocuous’ Miley moment a major blow
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe described Lewis Miley’s season-ending injury in training as an ‘innocuous moment’.
The club confirmed on Tuesday that the 20-year-old had fractured his fibula during a training session.
After undergoing surgery, Miley is now set to be sidelined for Newcastle’s remaining three games this season and Howe described the injury as a ‘blow’.
Eddie Howe described Lewis Miley’s injury in training as an ‘innocuous moment’ on Friday
‘It was a really innocuous moment, really, training on Tuesday, no one around him, there was no other player involved,’ Howe said.
‘He slipped and went down. We probably at that moment thought maybe just a twist or something, nothing too serious, but he was unable to continue.
‘Pretty early sort of became aware it was a little bit more serious than we thought. That’s the fragile nature of a professional footballer’s career.
‘Now he faces a few months out, we hope that he’ll be back in and around for pre-season.
‘It’s a real shame because he was playing really well, outstanding in recent weeks, we really missed him when he got his injury last time.
‘A real blow for us but also for Lewy and knowing the strength of character he’ll be back and he’ll be back better than ever, but it’s going to be a blow for him and for us.’
Miley’s premature end to the season comes after he made his return to the squad only last month.
The midfielder had been sidelined since January with a leg problem sustained during Newcastle’s 1-1 Champions League draw against Paris St Germain.
He returned to the Magpies’ line-up against Crystal Palace in April, the first of four successive starts, and Howe stressed the importance of allowing Miley to recover.
He added: ‘We anticipate him being around pre-season, again, injuries all have different things can happen in between.
‘Our plan would be he’ll be in and around training during pre-season. Whether he’s playing those games, those pre-season matches, let’s wait and see.
‘The most important thing for Lewy short-term is just to relax, focus on the injury, the surgery went really well, everything’s looking in a good place.
‘I don’t want to put too much pressure, I don’t want to give timescales because that can be negative.’
Newcastle ended their four-game losing run in the Premier League on Saturday with victory over Brighton to move into 13th in the table.
They have three games remaining this season, starting with a trip to Nottingham Forest on Sunday followed by matches against West Ham and Fulham.
Howe also provided an update on Tino Livramento, suggesting it is unlikely that the full-back will feature again this season.
‘Tino’s doing well, he’s really improving, he’s back running again and he’s on the grass,’ Howe said.
‘I don’t think he’ll be back this season. I think we could possibly push him maybe for the Fulham game but I think that would be silly on his behalf.
‘I think let’s let him recover and get a good summer behind him.’
Miley’s unlucky end to the season comes after he made his return to the squad only last month
New Hurzeler contract gives Brighton clarity
Seagulls head coach Fabian Hurzeler believes the announcement of his new three-year contract gives Brighton clarity for the Premier League run-in.
With three games to go as the eighth-placed Seagulls chase European qualification, Hurzeler has extended his deal at the Amex Stadium until June 2029.
‘Clarity is always important and clarity I think is, regarding the last three games, crucial,’ the 33-year-old German told a press conference.
‘That’s why we said we want to finish this (the contract announcement) as quick as possible and then we have clarity because there are always noises, end-of-the-season noises with offers from other clubs.
‘There will be always noises about players, that’s typical in this period when it comes more to the transfer window. So for me and for the club, it was so important to have this clarity to focus now just on performance, to focus now on finishing the season strong. That was the main reason (for the timing of the announcement).’
Following last weekend’s 3-1 loss at Newcastle, Albion host relegated Wolves on Saturday before visiting Leeds and then finishing the campaign at home to Manchester United.
‘The biggest challenge is to prove we can bounce back from this defeat against Newcastle,’ said Hurzeler.
‘It’s about reducing mistakes. In the last games we made too many easy mistakes and, if we do this again, Wolverhampton has the quality to punish us. But if we keep reaching our highest level then we have a good chance (of victory).’
Fabian Hurzeler believes the news of his fresh three-year contract gives Brighton clarity
Cherries in ‘good place’ regardless of dream Champions League spot
Andoni Iraola admits European qualification for sixth-placed Bournemouth will be difficult but knows his team are in a ‘good place’ as they look to create history.
The Cherries’ impressive 3-0 win over Crystal Palace on Sunday has opened up a four-point gap over faltering Chelsea and moved them above Brentford and Brighton.
However, Iraola has consistently remained cautious about Bournemouth’s top-seven hopes and the prospect of European qualification for the first time in the club’s history, but eighth place could now earn a spot in Europe after Aston Villa reached the Europa League final.
Ahead of Saturday’s trip to Fulham, which is followed by tricky matches against Manchester City and Nottingham Forest, Iraola told a press conference: ‘We are like six or seven teams fighting for two or three positions.
‘We need points and we need wins and we don’t have easy games. The only thing that makes me optimistic is I see my team in a really good place.
‘There is a possibility (for Europe) and still we have to get good results.
‘If we don’t get good results, if we don’t get wins, we will not have Europe. It is for me quite clear.’
Bournemouth are set to be boosted by the return of Justin Kluivert for their trip to Fulham, who are 11th and only four points behind Iraola’s side.
