Kevin de Bruyne steps up his comeback for Man City. Sunderland’s Wahbi Khazri pulls out of Tunisia duties due to injury, Aleksandar Mitrovic allays fears of a head injury, whilst the FA confirm a new date for West Ham’s FA Cup replay with United.

De Bruyne Close to City Comeback

Man City’s Kevin De Bruyne issued an update on his knee injury as he looks to return to action early next month:

“The injury is going good, I am training very well and think I am ahead of schedule, so I am looking to be back after the international break, two weeks ahead. I have been training for two and a half weeks outside with the physios, doing one and a half hour sessions a day, plus inside work. At the moment I am not having issues, so I am doing fine.”

The Scout Says: Considering that the Sky Blues recorded blanks in three of their last four match-ups and rank fifth-bottom for goals (seven) since Gameweek 24, De Bruyne’s comeback would act as a significant boost to their ailing attack. Throughout the course of the campaign, Mesut Ozil is the only midfielder that can lay claim to a better key-pass frequency (one every 21.8 minutes) than the former Chelsea recruit (24.3 minutes), which bodes well for Man City’s offensive prospects before their double Gameweek 34 (che, new). Having averaged 5.5 points per appearance in FPL – more than any City midfielder and superior to Sergio Aguero’s 5.4 – the Belgian’s potential return will surely play a part in our wildcard plans if he can prove his fitness in time.

Khazri Concern for Sunderland

Wahbi Khazri has pulled out of international duty with Tunisia due to the injury he sustained in the second half of the Tyne-Wear derby. Elsewhere in the Sunderland camp, Jeremain Lens turned out for the Black Cats’ U21 outfit as he steps up his return from injury:

The Scout Says: With a key-pass frequency (one every 34.2 minutes) that’s double the rate of any other Sunderland midfielder, Khazri would be conspicuous in his absence if he’s ruled out of a home clash against West Bromwich Albion. Lens, meanwhile, has struggled for form after an excellent start to life in the top-flight – the Dutchman bagged two goals and three assists in the first eight Gameweeks but has drawn blanks in every appearance since. In terms of tapping into the Wearsiders’ attacking potential, Jermain Defoe represents the best bet for those willing to gamble on a budget third striker for their wildcards. Priced at 5.1, the veteran has netted 12 times and has served up two goals and an assist in the last three matches as Big Sam’s side attempt to pull away from the basement.

Arter Pulls Out of Ireland Duties

Following assessments on an ongoing Achilles complaint, Harry Arter has withdrawn from international duty with Ireland.

The Scout Says: Arter’s decampment follows news that Joshua King is set to miss Norway’s two friendlies with a calf issue, making them both doubtful for Manchester City’s visit after the international break. Although the Cherries carded eight goals in three outings prior to their difficult afternoon at White Hart Lane, and offer in-form alternatives such as Matt Ritchie and Max Gradel, the unforgiving nature of their schedule (MCI, avl, LIV, CHE, eve) and lack of a double Gameweek diminishes the attraction of their Fantasy assets.

Mitrovic Eases Head Injury Worries

In an interview with the local press, Newcastle’s Aleksandar Mitrovic confirmed he has been given the all-clear after suffering concussion in the dying embers of the Tyne-Wear derby.

The Scout Says: Judging from Mitrovic’s underlying statistics across the previous two Gameweeks, he’s set to be an integral player during Rafa Benitez’s reign: the 6.2 priced Serbia international sat second amongst forwards for touches in the box and joint-top for efforts inside the box (seven). Buoyed by his equalising goal against Sunderland, Mitrovic could well emerge as a profitable differential ahead of Newcastle’s trip to Norwich – who place third for big chances conceded in home matches (28). Beyond that head-to-head, the Toon’s double Gameweek 34 (SWA & MCI) might encourage a few intrepid managers to back the hot-headed marksman as Newcastle launch a last-ditch effort to beat the drop.

Puncheon Steps Up Palace Recovery

Jason Puncheon clocked 66 minutes for Crystal Palace’s U21 outfit as he ramps up his rehabilitation from a hamstring issue.

The Scout Says: Chalking up six goals and seven assists, Puncheon served as a solid option in the budget bracket last term. This time around, however, he’s managed zero goals and three assists in just over 2000 minutes, negating his viability on the Fantasy market. That being said, Alan Pardew will hope that Puncheon’s return to action emboldens an Eagles outfit that’s in the midst of a 12-match winless streak. Although Palace’s form and schedule (whu, NOR, ars, mun, blank) gives us little incentive to invest, Yannick Bolasie – who ranked joint-second among midfielders for shots on target (three) in his last two starts – is worth keeping tabs on in light of the London club’s double Gameweek 34 (ars & mun).

Iwobi Misses Nigeria Training

According to reports from Nigeria’s training camp, Alex Iwobi is suffering from a bout of food poisoning ahead of their clash against Egypt on Friday.

The Scouts Says: Arsenal are currently contending with a host of midfield injuries, so Iwobi could be rewarded with a run of starts following his debut goal against Everton last weekend. Given that we’re at a stage when low-price facilitators will be crucial components for any managers’ Gameweek 34 blueprint, Iwobi’s budget pricing (4.5) courts our interest. With three home ties on the Gunners’ agenda over the next three Gameweeks (WAT, whu, CRY & WBA), Arsene Wenger’s troops are capable of excelling on the attacking end; it just remains to be seen whether Iwobi can fend off competition from the likes of Theo Walcott and Joel Campbell in his quest for regular minutes.

West Ham and United’s Cup Replay Confirmed

The quarter-final replay between West Ham United and Manchester United has been scheduled for Wednesday April 13.

The Scout Says: The Boleyn Ground showdown falls between Gameweek 33 and 34, setting up a congested period for both teams: the Hammers play four matches during a 11-day stretch, while the Red Devils embark on a quartet of fixtures across ten days. Despite the hectic schedule, though, there’s a hope that rotation amongst the big-hitters will be kept at a minimum in the league, given that both clubs are still very much in the chase for fourth spot – injuries aside, the likes of Dimitri Payet, Michail Antonio and Anthony Martial look far too pivotal to their respective sides’ causes to be benched over the run-in.

Bertrand Skips England Training

Ryan Bertrand didn’t take part in England’s maiden training session due to an unspecified injury.

The Scout Says: In the event that Bertrand is consigned to the treatment room for a block of matches, Matt Targett’s 9% ownership would likely profit from their man being handed a run of starts at left-back. Looking at Saints’ run-in, a trio of favourable match-ups (NEW, avl, CRY) are dwarfed by a quartet of challenging ones (lei, eve, MCI, tot) that curtail their clean-sheet potential. In addition, Southampton’s lack of a double Gameweek over the run-in ensures that Fantasy managers will be somewhat reluctant to stock up on their main men, despite the fact that Ronald Koeman’s troops are on the rise following back-to-back wins over Stoke and Liverpool.