Premier League press conference highlights: Joelinton out for at least six weeks

Stay up to date with all the latest Premier League news with our round-up of the key talking points from today's top-flight press conferences.

Magpies dealt Joelinton blow

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has revealed Joelinton is set for a spell on the sidelines with a thigh injury. 

The 27-year-old midfielder picked up the issue in last Saturday's 3-0 FA Cup win at fierce local rivals Sunderland.

He said: "It isn't good. It is an injury that will see him miss a minimum of six weeks. 

"He has a problem with his tendon in his quad. He is very disappointed, he wants to play and do well. We have had to try and pick him up. 

"It is a real blow for us. He is such an important player. He is our midfield driving force."

Newcastle have lost each of their last three Premier League games, leaving them in ninth place in the table. They host Manchester City on Saturday.

Villa must sell before they buy

Unai Emery was not optimistic when asked about Aston Villa's chances of adding to their squad in January. 

He said: "It is difficult. We are not very focused on the transfer window because we are second at the moment. 

"I am very happy with the players, very happy. The commitment of the players is really good. 

"Two are players who can leave. Callum Chambers and Bertrand Traore. They are two players that know their situation through different circumstances. 

"There are other players that can leave and if they do, then we can think about adding one or two players. 

"The players we have now, I want to support and help. We have to be demanding to increase the quality so it is not easy to get something in this transfer window." 

Chelsea derby special for Fulham

Marco Silva has stressed the importance of Fulham's fans ahead of the West London derby against Chelsea tomorrow.

He said: "In London you have a big number of derbies, but you always have one or two more special ones for the fans. 

"We play for the fans and we know it's important for them. 

"At home, it wasn't our best game. We want to do something different against a very good side. 

"We have to be at a very, very good level because it's going to be an intense game." 

When the local rivals last met back in October, Chelsea won 2-0 at Craven Cottage.

Guardiola feeling good about De Bruyne

Pep Guardiola gave a positive answer when asked whether Kevin de Bruyne could return to Manchester City's starting lineup for their trip to Newcastle. 

The Spanish manager said: "Yes. From what I saw yesterday, I feel good about it. He got some good minutes in training. 

"He's getting better, we have a game and then a few days off, he will train a little bit. 

"After, we will go altogether for four or five training sessions in Abu Dhabi and that will help him to be better for the next games." 

De Bruyne picked up a hamstring injury in City's first Premier League match of the season against Burnley.

The Treble winners are five points behind leaders Liverpool with a game in hand ahead of their visit to St James' Park.

Postecoglou talks Dragusin

Ange Postecoglou has spoken about Tottenham's new centre-back Ragu Dragusin, who signed from Genoa on Thursday. 

The Aussie boss said: "He is a good fit for us from a football perspective. He has some great attributes as a young player. 

"Once we got down to the real detail for it, I thought he was the best option for us. 

"He was our number one target. I like his defence attributes and his physical attributes. 

"We need more than two top centre-backs. He has come to a big club where he knows he has to compete to play. It will benefit the national team." 

Postecoglou also revealed defender Ben Davies is out for a month with a hamstring injury, while Cristian Romeo has returned to training. 

Dyche seeks double return

Sean Dyche had good news for Everton fans regarding Dwight McNeil's fitness after the winger was stretchered off against Crystal Palace. 

He said: "It settled down really quickly. 

"I think he's been very lucky, as it looked and felt nasty. This one [against Aston Villa] will be touch or go, but the next he has a chance. 

"He's just very lucky as it looked awkward and stretchers are alarming, but it’s great news." 

Dyche also gave an update on Abdoulaye Doucoure's chances of returning from injury to face Aston Villa. 

He said: "He's been training so I'm hopeful. He certainly looks fine."

Ten Hag wishes Sancho luck

Erik ten Hag was short but sweet with his thoughts on Jadon Sancho's loan move from Manchester United to Borussia Dortmund.

The attacking midfielder completed a temporary move to his former club this week.

Ten Hag said: "I hope he's doing well. I wish him the best of luck. 

"That's it. I hope he's doing well and he'll be a success." 

Another journalist tried to reignite the topic at Ten Hag's pre-match press conference before United's match with Tottenham, but the Dutch coach was curt with his response.

He said: "I replied. I think it's enough." 

Sancho only played three times for the Red Devils this season before he was frozen out by Ten Hag over a row concerning the winger's performances in training. 

Nkunku worry

Mauricio Pochettino revealed Christopher Nkunku has not yet returned to training after making his Chelsea debut last month.

The Frenchman made four appearances for the Blues over the festive period but is now absent again.

Pochettino said: "I'm a little bit worried about the situation of Nkunku, because it's now 10 days that he cannot train. We are still assessing him, we don't know what is going to happen. 

"It's complicated with Christopher. It's now between eight and 10 days since he could train. 

“After six months that waited for him, he was so close to feeling comfortable again, he started the game against Crystal Palace. 

"We're disappointed and a little bit worried because we want him involved again as soon as possible."