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Following an eventful series of midweek Premier League matches, which resulted in the dismissal of two managers, the focus now shifts to an exciting weekend of FA Cup fourth-round action.
As anticipation builds for the upcoming fixtures, managers across the league are busy previewing their strategies and line-ups. Stay connected with Daily Mail Sport for the latest updates and insights into the weekend’s football drama.
Emery: We can survive injury crisisÂ
One manager facing significant challenges is Aston Villa’s Unai Emery, who is currently navigating an injury crisis within his squad. Emery’s approach relies heavily on the adaptability and flexibility of his players to fill in the gaps.
“As a coach, I’ve frequently encountered this challenge,” Emery remarked. “Decisions must be made to construct a cohesive team, often relying on players who can adapt to various roles and show versatility on the field.”
He continued, “This isn’t a new issue for me; I’ve faced similar situations at other clubs and in different countries. Injuries are a common hurdle many teams have to overcome.”
‘Lamare Bogarde, for example, is (a) very good possibility and getting good performance with us progressively. When I arrived here, three years and a half (ago), he was here.
Lamine Bogarde, 22, has made just seven starts this season but could play on Saturday
‘He was in the academy, he was training with us, he was going on loan. Now, how he’s performing and playing as a right full-back…marking (Kaoru) Mitoma and playing as a midfielder, playing a lot of matches. I am confident.
‘And then, the consistency of Amadou Onana, the performance of Ross Barkley after he was injured, and Douglas Luiz, how he is adapting, and I think progressively getting better, I think he played a good match on Wednesday.
‘We have enough players to replace a midfielder, to replace as well, full-back, Andres (Garcia) and Matty Cash, with the players we have.’
Ward-Prowse set for first Burnley startÂ
James Ward-Prowse is in line to make his first Burnley start in Saturday’s FA Cup fourth round tie at home to Mansfield.
A January signing on loan from West Ham, the former England midfielder made his debut as a substitute on Wednesday night as the Clarets ended their 16-match league winless run with a 3-2 come-from-behind victory at Crystal Palace.
With Scott Parker plotting a number of changes at home to League One opposition, Ward-Prowse is in line to start his first game of football since his last West Ham appearance back in September.
‘I was really pleased that he came on the other night and in the time he had, and with the dynamics of the game as they were, you saw his experience,’ Parker said.
James Ward-Prowse could made his first start since September
‘It’s another opportunity for him to get minutes. He’s not played a lot of football, albeit here a little bit with the under-21s, so it’s another opportunity for us to see his quality and what he can bring for us.’
Burnley sit nine points adrift of safety with only 12 games left, but Wednesday’s result will give them a huge lift after a frustrating run, and Parker is keen to build on that momentum in the cup.
He added: ‘This is a game and a competition that I hold real high value in so we’re going to go in there and hopefully put in a good performance and get a good result.’
Howe sorry after Premier League axe falls
Eddie Howe has expressed sympathy for the two managers who were sacked on the back of poor results this week.
Nottingham Forest sacked Sean Dyche just over two hours after they drew 0-0 at home to Wolves – after Thomas Frank lost his job at Tottenham following a 2-1 home defeat by Howe’s Newcastle.Â
That was a much-needed win for the Magpies but Howe admitted this morning he was sad to see his rival managers lose their jobs.
Eddie Howe knows the pressures of the Premier League
Howe said: ‘It always saddens me when that happens. You just have sympathy for every manager because you know how difficult the job is, and especially the modern day life of a manager. The sways and the speed of opinion changing is quicker, I think, than it’s ever been due to various different factors and forces that you have to compete against. I have sympathies for any manager that loses their job.’Â
In terms of the pressure on his own position, Howe added: ‘For me, I don’t think too deeply about it. My immediate focus then goes back to myself and what I can do to help the team that I have, and that’s all that I can do every day.’
Meanwhile, the Newcastle boss confirmed that Bruno Guimaraes has suffered a hamstring injury but the full extent of the problem is not yet known. He and fellow midfielder Lewis Miley (dead leg/thigh) look set to miss Saturday’s FA Cup tie at Aston Villa.Â
Craig HopeÂ
Endo set for long spell on sidelines at Liverpool
Arne Slot’s right back curse has continued with utility man Wataru Endo set to be out for a ‘long time’.
The Liverpool midfielder, who has filled in at right back and central defence in recent weeks, was stretchered off in Wednesday’s win at Sunderland.
And now there are fears that the Japan captain is in a battle to play again this season, which would be the club’s third long-term defensive injury with Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni also not scheduled to play again this term.
Wataru Endo suffered a nasty injury in Wednesday’s 1-0 win at Sunderland
There are fears that Endo has suffered a serious foot injury after he hurt himself stretching for a crucial clearance as his team were defending their one-goal lead at the Stadium of Light.
Slot said on Friday morning: ‘We still need to do some assessment but it is clear and obvious that he will be out for quite a long time.’
Fellow right back Jeremie Frimpong is also injured and unlikely to be fit to face Brighton in the FA Cup on Saturday though the Dutchman is hopeful that his groin problem does not leave him on the treatment table for too much longer.
Lewis SteeleÂ