Team news | Friday updates from Ange on Micky, Mikey and Richy

Ange Postecoglou said we're 'taking all the appropriate steps' on Micky van de Ven's recovery from a hamstring injury.

Ange reported on Thursday that the central defender was set to return in mid-December after picking up the problem early in our Carabao Cup win against City on 30 October.

Speaking in Friday's press conference to preview our Premier League clash against Manchester City on Saturday (5.30pm UK), Ange was asked if he was taking extra care with Micky following this latest hamstring injury.

"We're trying to treat it as it is, with advice from the medical team and the people working with him," said Ange. "I think there is always a natural cautiousness with someone who has a recurring problem, but at the same time, you don't want to treat him with kid gloves, because he's got to go out there and play at some point.

"It's fair to say we're taking all the appropriate steps, and Micky will be a good judge of that as well, and where he's at."

Ange also gave an update on Richarlison, who also picked up a hamstring issue against Villa on 3 November and Mikey Moore, who has been laid low with a virus, ruling him out of our last two games against Galatasaray and Ipswich.

Ange said: "Richy, hopefully he'll be back in the New Year but, again, similar to Micky, we've got to be careful every step of the way. Mikey will be still be out for a little bit of time as well. He was hit pretty badly by the virus, because he's young as well, we have to be careful. He's back in the building, but we're going to take out time with him."