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.’
