O'Neil on player availability, 'incredible' training ground and Fulham

ByGeorge Booth
BBC Sport journalist
  • Published

Ipswich boss Gary O'Neil has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Fulham at Portman Road (kick-off 15:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

  • O'Neil confirmed "everyone is available" to face Fulham, excluding Abdul Fatawu, who is serving a suspension for his red card against Everton.

  • Exequiel Palacios "feels ready to go" after returning from Argentina duty, during which he featured in three games against Bolivia, Benin and Burkina Faso. "I expect to see him on the football pitch tomorrow," said O'Neil.

  • On Jack Taylor and Azor Matusiwa's rehabilitation progress: "Jack got some important minutes for the under-21s in the week. He also played in a behind-closed-doors friendly through the break, and has been with the team. Azor has also stepped up his rehab and is feeling good. Both are available for selection now."

  • On players returning from international duty: "For every manager, [regarding] the lads who get back late, it is always a consideration of how far they have travelled, what the time difference is, how much they played, whether they carry a bit more risk into the weekend, fitness-wise. We still have decisions to make."

  • The Tractor Boys boss said the new training ground development is "top" and that the club now has an "incredible facility".

  • On Fulham, O'Neil said: "They're good. I have watched a lot of them. I think they were unlucky against Palace and they should have won the game, no doubt. Easily deserved their point at Anfield, which is not easy to do. Not as many points as their performances would suggest. We have another opportunity to add another three points to our tally."

  • On Manchester City's charges: "You guys know me well enough that I have spent the past three weeks making sure we are ready for Fulham. It's something I am not involved in, and something I don't want to be involved in."

Ipswich defender Issa Diop also took questions from the press ahead of Ipswich's match against Fulham - you can listen Diop on BBC Sounds here

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

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