Premier League news LIVE: Man Utd, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea updates ahead of massive weekend of football – Evening Standard, Standard.co.uk

West Ham defender Winston Reid has been pencilled in for a return to action in an Under – 23 s game on Monday as he bids to resurrect his career after (months out.) ********

Reid has not played a competitive match for West Ham since March 2018 but hopes to make long-awaited return to action in a development game at Stoke.

The 31 – year-old has been sidelined since he suffered a freak injury against Swansea when he was knocked unconscious and fell to the gr ound awkwardly twisting his knee.

Reid returned to training last summer but broke down, had to have knee surgery which ruled him out of the whole of last season and has had several setbacks in his recovery.

The New Zealand international featured three times for West Ham in pre-season but the club have been cautious with him since then.

He had hoped to return for the Under – 23 s at Cheltenham Town earlier this month but his comeback was pushed back.

Reid has been training with West Ham’s Under – 23 squad but it is hoped he will return to first-team training if he comes through the game on Monday unscathed.

West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini said: “We must pray that he will not have any other injuries. He has had a long time without playing and deserves to try to return to his career. ”

Hodgson recently said he had hoped that the injury would not keep Sakho sidelined for months and had mooted the possibility of a return against Manchester City this weekend.

However, the former England manager is likely to continue w ith both Gary Cahill and Martin Kelly at the back, though James Tomkins is fit and available.

“I hope it is going to be soon [that he returns],” said Hodgson.

“He has basically been out since February if we ignore the couple of games that he was able to play before breaking down again. It is high time really that we get him back and he is working very hard to get back.

“I hope it is soon rather than late, but I can’t put a time on it.”

Jurgen Klopp has called on his Liverpool players to disprove the suggestion that they are the perfect next opponent for struggling Manchester United.

The Reds travel to Old Trafford 15 points ahe ad of their arch-rivals in the Premier League and looking to extend a perfect start to the season that has thus far featured eight wins from eight.

The gap between the teams has led to suggestions that Sunday’s game could provide a springboard for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men to turn their fortunes around.

But Klopp cannot imagine any opponent relishing the prospect of taking

He said: “They are ready, they wait for us. They said we are the perfect opponent now – you can see it like this, but you don’t have to.

“I don’t think there are a lot of teams who would love to play against us. In the moment, it looks like Manchester United is the only one who wants to play us and we have to make sure that that is a misunderstanding. ”

John Stones is also expected to be available after training well this week, with Benjamin Mendy nearing a return.

Stones has been out since last month’s defeat to Norwich with a thigh strain, but Pep Gu ardiola is hopeful the center back will be fit to travel to Selhurst Park. Mendy also missed the Wolves game due to a hamstring injury, but has resumed training.

Meanwhile Guardiola refused to hit out at broadcasters after City were handed a daunting festive schedule, which sees them play twice in less than 48 hours between Christmas and New Year.

The Premier League champions issued a strongly-worded statement, claiming the sporting integrity of the competition could be undermined by the demands placed on them.

But Guardiola said: “Since I came here every season it’s the same. The broadcasters are the bosses, it’s not about us.

“I love to play Boxing Day, families go to the stadiums, the players travel and the system does not protect the players too much.

“We’ll have more recovery than the others at other times – it’s what it is.

“Maybe the broadcasters are fans for some clubs.

“We have meetings with Premier League, managers, Uefa, they are so glad, nice pictures, it doesn’t matter, we have to play. ”

Guardiola with a prickly response after being quizzed about Liverpool’s eight-point lead at the top …

“Every situation is different. We are not going to change. I will not change my opinion of my team. We have to be focused on increasing our game and winning games.”

Lampard says Kante was not fit when he got injured playing for France …

“I kind of remember the game back then , I may have been on the bench. I think the big progression of Monday night is that the governing body have to take a big step. The collective nature that England dealt with it was really good to see.

“I spoke to the players there, they are strong boys. They know I am there to support them. It’s a learning curve in all cases. “

“No, N’Golo is not fit. A small groin issue with France, he isn’t fit for Saturday. Kovacic had a knock on his thigh, but in contention. Ross is fine. Andreas has a hamstring problem which is going to see him out for two weeks.

“Rudiger is outside training, a bit of work to be done for match fitness. But a positive that he is outside. “