Another seismic weekend of football is just around the corner, with the Premier League nearing a thrilling conclusion at both ends of the table and the FA Cup final between Manchester City and Chelsea set to take place at Wembley.
With Pep Guardiola‘s side on the hunt for more silverware this weekend following their Carabao Cup triumph earlier in the season, Arsenal have an opportunity to go five points clear by beating Burnley before City play their penultimate game of the campaign at Bournemouth on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Liverpool and Aston Villa, who sit fourth and fifth respectively, lock horns at Villa Park on Friday knowing that the victor will secure mathematical Champions League qualification for next season.
And at the foot of the table, West Ham could climb out of the relegation zone temporarily with a win at Newcastle, seeing as Tottenham do not play until Tuesday because of Chelsea’s involvement in the FA Cup final.
With Eddie Howe, Michael Carrick and Guardiola among those speaking today, Daily Mail Sport brings you all the latest updates from the press conferences.
Anthony Gordon may have played his last game for Newcastle amid speculation over his future
Howe has an eye on Gordon’s ‘future’
Anthony Gordon could have played his last match for Newcastle, after Eddie Howe revealed his team selection has an eye on ‘the future’.
The head coach was asked specifically about his recent non-inclusion of the England winger, who has been an unused substitute in the last two matches after returning from a hip injury.
Gordon will join Bayern Munich this summer if the Bundesliga champions meet Newcastle’s £75million asking price. The framework of personal terms are in place but not yet agreed.
Howe was pressed on whether doubt over Gordon’s future is playing a part in him staying on the bench.
‘I think when you get to this stage of the season, part of what we will be doing, we’ll be looking to next year, naturally,’ he said.
‘Anthony’s just come back from injury. I think the team has played well in his absence and (selection) with a partial view to the future, yes.’
Would Howe play Gordon if he was needed to get a result?
Eddie Howe says he has been keeping Gordon out of the team because of eyes on the future
‘If it’s the right thing for the team,’ he said. ‘I put the team and the club above any individual, then I would play him, of course.’
Meanwhile, Joelinton is a doubt for Sunday’s visit of West Ham with a thigh injury.
