Saturday’s briefing: Enzo Fernandez dropped as Alexander Isak in line for return

Enzo Fernandez was dropped for Chelsea’s next two matches as boss Liam Rosenior showed his teeth.

Mikel Arteta said he will keep faith with keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga at Southampton in the FA Cup while Pep Guardiola played down Rodri exit talk.

Enzo axed

Fernandez will not play in either of Chelsea’s next two matches after the club sanctioned him for comments made during the international break that cast doubt on his Stamford Bridge future.

The 25-year-old has been linked with Real Madrid and fuelled speculation by telling a podcast he would like to live in the Spanish capital, while defender Marc Cucurella also gave a frank interview regarding “instability” at the club and which questioned the recruitment policy.

Fernandez’s comments, though, have been deemed the most damaging and are the clearest indication yet that he sees his future away from west London.

“I spoke with Enzo about an hour ago,” said Rosenior. “As a football club, with me as part of the decision, he won’t be available for tomorrow’s game or Manchester City next Sunday.

“It’s disappointing for Enzo to speak that way. I have got no bad words to say about him, but a line was crossed in terms of our culture and what we want to build.”

However, the issue is not going to go away quietly after Fernandez’s agent Javier Pastore hit out at the sanction, saying the Argentina international does not understand the decision.

“The punishment is completely unfair,” Pastore told The Athletic.

Kepa kept

Arteta is ready to throw Kepa back into the firing line for Arsenal’s FA Cup quarter-final against Southampton.

Kepa gifted Manchester City their opening goal in Arsenal’s 2-0 Carabao Cup final defeat a fortnight ago.

The 31-year-old has not played at all in the Premier League this season, with appearances only in the Carabao and FA Cups and a Champions League dead rubber against Kairat.

But, despite Kepa’s howler against City, Arteta looks set to stick with the former Chelsea man for the Gunners’ visit to St Mary’s on Saturday night.

“He is ready to play,” said Arteta. “I’m never going to judge a player or make a decision because he has made an error.”

Isak back

Alexander Isak could take a seat on the Liverpool bench for Saturday’s FA Cup clash with Manchester City after returning to training this week.

Liverpool’s club-record £125million signing has been out since December as he recovered from a broken leg and ankle surgery.

Isak trained on Thursday and head coach Arne Slot said he could give the Sweden forward a few minutes off the bench but must be careful given the possibility of extra time in the quarter-final.

“He has trained with us yesterday for the first time and today will be the second time after exactly 101 days,” Slot said. “It will take a bit of time to give him a lot of minutes but we will make sure we do the right thing in terms of building him up.

“It is a difficult one because we don’t play a normal game. It could go to extra time so that makes it even more complicated if we think he can only play 10 minutes and bring him on and then it goes to extra time.

“Of course we can take him off again if we have enough players available. Maybe a few minutes but let’s wait and see how he is today, how he feels about it himself. It’s clear after two training sessions in 100 days, it would not make any sense to start him tomorrow.”

Lions roar

It was a big day in the Championship promotion race as Millwall climbed above Middlesbrough into second after a 2-1 win at the Riverside.

Boro led at half-time through a header from captain Dael Fry, but Josh Coburn scored twice against his former club to earn Alex Neil’s side a statement victory.

“I think sometimes in football some things are written in the stars a little bit, aren’t they?” said Lions boss Neil.

“The second goal was one he’ll remember and I’m sure his family will remember forever.”

Leaders Coventry are now 11 points clear at the top after a 3-2 win over Derby in the evening kick-off.

Further down the table, Roy Hodgson got off to a winning start in charge of Bristol City as his new side beat Charlton 2-1.

What’s on today?

FA Cup quarter-final weekend begins at the Etihad Stadium, where Manchester City host Liverpool at lunchtime.

Chelsea entertain League One minnows Port Vale at 5.15pm before Saints take on Arsenal in the graveyard slot.