Premier League news conferences as managers speak before festive fixtures
Tottenham manager Thomas Frank says he 'obviously disagrees' with Liverpool boss Arne Slot who suggested Micky van de Ven's challenge on Alexander Isak was 'reckless'
Slot said that Isak will be out for a 'couple of months' with a broken leg
Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola says he knows 'there's a lot of noise' around Antoine Semenyo with reports saying Chelsea have made an enquiry
Team news: Wirtz, Bradley, Endo & Gakpo | Spurs | Livramento, Pope & Botman | Welbeck | Esteve | Totti | Branthwaite
Managers on January transfer window: Hurzeler | Dyche | Nuno | Edwards | Moyes
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Written by Charlotte Coates, Adwaidh Rajan and Karan Vinod.
That brings our Premier League news conference coverage to a close ahead of a packed festive schedule.
There was plenty for managers to navigate, from Thomas Frank pushing back on Arne Slot’s comments over Micky van de Ven’s challenge on Alexander Isak – with Slot confirming the Newcastle forward faces a couple of months out with a broken leg due to a 'reckless' challenge – to Andoni Iraola acknowledging the “noise” surrounding Antoine Semenyo amid reported interest from Chelsea.
Team news also came thick and fast, with updates across the league including Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle, Brighton and Everton, while several managers offered early thoughts on how they expect to approach a January transfer window that is already beginning to loom.
Thanks for joining us today. We’ll be back with you soon as attention turns from the press rooms to the pitch.
Premier League
With only Manchester United and Newcastle in action on Boxing Day, we will have seven Premier League fixtures to turn into on a busy Saturday.
Sunderland v Leeds (Sun, 14:00 GMT)
Leeds United
Leeds United boss Daniel Farke delivered team news ahead of their fixture against Sunderland: "No chance for Sean [Longstaff] and also for Daniel James.
"There is a small chance for Lukas Nmecha to be involved. There is some progress. I hope I have him available at some point this week, back in team training, and if he comes through the sessions, then he could be a topic for the squad and travel with us.
"But he is more or less the only one out of the long-term injuries that could perhaps feature in this game."
Crystal Palace v Tottenham (Sun, 16:30 GMT)
Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham boss Thomas Frank has been speaking to the media with his side facing Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Sunday.
Here are the best bits from the news conference.
Before we wrap up, we'll take a look at the team news from a resurgent Leeds United.
Crystal Palace v Tottenham (Sun, 16:30 GMT)Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham boss Thomas Frank on if this is his most difficult spell as a manager: "I think I see a lot similarities to first head coach job. Although different scale. This is one of biggest clubs in the world so makes it bigger and different challenge.
"First job I tried to build something over time and with a lot good people. Where this makes it extra challenging is we also play Champions League and Premier League at same time. We are trying to improve when at 100mph.
"I have seen lots of things we improve on but most important thing is how we can create consistent performances day in and day out."
Crystal Palace v Tottenham (Sun, 16:30 GMT)Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham boss Thomas Frank on Christmas break: "First full week we have had since August. This is welcome. This week we handle same way as any other week, even Christmas we still do the same.
"We are off 25th, then two days so perfectly fits Christmas family schedule. I'm a big believer in having top professional and I believe the players are, but also they are grown up individuals. If I need to hold hands the whole time then we have big problem.
"I believe in why we train extra set pieces today, I expect them to be bang on it, we have extra sharp training tomorrow so everyone can get out of here.
"Then need to be back being professional after Christmas. Only slight difference we do is to start later on boxing day."
Crystal Palace v Tottenham (Sun, 16:30 GMT)Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham boss Thomas Frank on co-sporting director Fabio Paratici who has been linked with an exit after only re-joining the club in October: "It is not the first rumour I need to speak about.
"If it is staff, director or player, in general, I am not speaking about that. I just try to focus on the Crystal Palace game. It is probably also something for someone high up in the club."
Crystal Palace v Tottenham (Sun, 16:30 GMT)Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham boss Thomas Frank on assistant Matt Wells who has left the club to join Colorado Rapids as head coach: I’m very happy for Matt. It’s a great opportunity for him. I think he’s a very talented coach and I think he’s got a good potential to be a good head coach.”
“It’s different when you stand out there on your own. But I think he has all the abilities to do well.
"When someone leaves, others needs to step up and take more responsibilities. That will be down to Cameron [Campbell], Justin [Cochrane] and Andreas [Georgson] to take a step more forward.
"Of course Justin already has taken big responsibility, Andreas as well. When someone is leaving there will just be a little bit more to fill in for them. But I’m confident they are capable to do that. Back in the day, it was only one assistant you had so I’m pretty sure we’ll survive."
Crystal Palace v Tottenham (Sun, 16:30 GMT)Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham boss Thomas Frank on Cristian Romero role as captain and setting example: "Many times [I have spoken to him]. Of course after this game, not just him, the players in general.
"That label as captain, you can't have only one leader on pitch. We are talking about a passionate player. At the top he carries the team on his back, like Europa League final, like Newcastle away. When very passionate you sometimes have few moments. Something he is working on.
"You have player for me where second goal is clear, clear foul. I've not played highest level but those who have know it is a foul. He felt it was foul.
"f you don’t get the first yellow then don't get second yellow. Obviously second was a mistake. He was passionate in first duel and too much in second. But when you have a passionate player you have to accept that."
Crystal Palace v Tottenham (Sun, 16:30 GMT)Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham had both Xavi Simons and Cristian Romero sent off in the 2-1 defeat by Liverpool on Saturday.
Simons will serve a three-game suspension after a straight red card for a foul on Virgil van Dijk while Romero will miss the upcoming game at Crystal Palace.
It means the Netherlands attacking midfielder will not be available for selection until 7 January when Spurs face Bournemouth.
Crystal Palace v Tottenham (Sun, 16:30 GMT)Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham boss Thomas Frank on whether the club will appeal Xavi Simons' red card: "I would like to do it.
"But it doesn’t make sense because of way the rules are. We won't get anything out of it I've been told. That is the way it is."
Crystal Palace v Tottenham (Sun, 16:30 GMT)Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham boss Thomas Frank on Arne Slot calling Micky van de Ven's challenge on Alexander Isak "reckless": “Obviously I am disagreeing.
"In many ways, we are talking about a defender that will do everything to avoid [conceding] the goal. It’s a transition so he is sprinting back in. There’s a ball slid down in the side and he does everything he can to block that shot.
"Unfortunately, Isak has planted his foot straight there which makes it look worse than it is. That would be a natural reaction for any defender.
"Or, put it this way, if my defender doesn’t do that, I don’t think they are true defenders. I don’t see that at all. I think reckless challenges, normally, you haven’t seen any from Micky, as I remember it. I see him as a very fair and competitive player. That’s one thing. I also know the two players have sorted it out so that’s a good sign."
Crystal Palace v Tottenham (Sun, 16:30 GMT)Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham boss Thomas Frank on team news before facing Crystal Palace: "Team news is the same as before the Liverpool game. Everyone available then is available for the Crystal Palace game."
On Dominic Solanke and Dejan Kulusevski: "As I said before, I'll be very happy when I can announce they're back. That’s where it is."
Crystal Palace v Tottenham (Sun, 16:30 GMT)Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham boss Thomas Frank says he "obviously disagrees" with Arne Slot, who said earlier today that Micky van de Ven's challenge on Alexander Isak was "reckless."
He says Isak planted his foot and if his defender doesn't make the tackle he wouldn't be a defender. He also went on to say that Van de Ven and Isak have "sorted it out."
We will have the full quotes from Frank coming up shortly.
And finally, Thomas Frank has arrived for his news conference!
We’ll have all his key quotes coming up in full very soon. So stay with us for the latest from Spurs.
Before we get a full update from Spurs boss Thomas Frank, we already know they'll be without the suspended Xavi Simons and Cristian Romero.
I know it's been a long old day today but stick with us as we've got Spurs boss Thomas Frank still to come and Leeds' Daniel Farke.
Who says Christmas isn't special?!
Brentford v Bournemouth (Sat, 15:00 GMT)
Brentford
Brentford boss Keith Andrews on the question of pushing for European qualification spots in the new year: "The league is very condensed. Not sure what it'll be this year in terms of placing. It's so tight, two or three points and you're potentially in those positions.
"We're content, to a point, with where we are now. We'll keep pushing and we'll see what happens."
As you can tell, we're still waiting to hear what Spurs boss Thomas Frank has to say.
Brentford v Bournemouth (Sat, 15:00 GMT)Brentford
Brentford boss Keith Andrews on whether they can start looking up instead of behind at the relegation zone: "I always look up. It's the way I'm wired. It's the way the football club is built. It's a progressive mindset. Very respectful of each and every game. And that doesn't put us in a place where we can become complacent in any way.
"We have to keep looking to improve, and strive to be better and better. If we can do that, there's only one way we can go and that's up."
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