The Treatment Table – Gameweek 9

Hull City’s Robert Snodgrass is sidelined for up to four weeks with an ankle injury. Kevin De Bruyne is unavailable for City’s midweek EFL Cup encounter against neighbours United, while Santi Cazorla remains a doubt for Arsenal’s weekend trip to Wearside.

Robert Snodgrass

The Hull City midfielder has been ruled out for up to four weeks with an ankle injury suffered against Stoke City on Saturday.

Having scored three times this season, Snodgrass has been the only viable Tigers attacker on offer to FPL managers. He’s produced more attempts on goal and created more chances than any team-mate and looks set to miss upcoming trips to Watford and Sunderland in the next three.

Manager Mike Phelan will be desperate for Snodgrass to return within the month, though, given that the KCOM outfit face West Brom, Middlesbrough and Palace in successive outings from Gameweek 13 onwards. Snodgrass is owned by just under 7% of managers, who could now turn to in-form options such as Nathan Redmond or Joe Allen in the sub-6.0 price bracket.

Phelan, meanwhile, will likely recall Adama Diomande, Shaun Maloney or the fit-again Markus Henriksen in the Scotland international’s absence.

Kevin De Bruyne

The Belgian was replaced at half-time during Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Southampton after taking ”a blow to the calf area.”

Earlier today, he was ruled out of Wednesday’s Manchester derby in the EFL Cup, though the City website reckons he “could be back in contention” for the weekend trip to West Brom.

A potential return against the Baggies could boost De Bruyne’s FPL stock at a time when some are reassessing Sergio Aguero’s place in their squads. In spite of his early withdrawal on Sunday, the playmaker still betters the City striker for points per match (6.3 to 5.6).

Benched for two of City’s previous three, the Argentine’s blank at home to Southampton means he has netted in just one of his last five league appearances. Already, over 37,000 FPL managers have transferred out Aguero this week – another failure at the Hawthorns and the exodus will surely pick up pace.

Eric Bailly, Marouane Fellaini, Wayne Rooney

Manchester United defender Eric Bailly was forced off during Sunday’s 4-0 defeat at Chelsea due to a knee injury, with Jose Mourinho initially believing the issue was a serious one:

“He is injured and I am afraid he is badly injured. In his knee, in the ligament area. He feels it is really bad.”

That prognosis was to prove correct with Bailly this evening revealing an expected two month absence via an update on Instagram.

“I wanted to thank you for all the messages of support that I received since the injury. I hope to be able to play again for United and The Elephants before 2 months, God willing. Thanks for always being there!”

Daley Blind would appear his likely replacement at centre-half, with one of Luke Shaw or Marcos Rojo coming in at left-back for Saturday’s home encounter against Burnley.

A further report from Sunday’s defeat suggested that Marouane Fellaini will miss tomorrow night’s EFL Cup clash against Man City due to a knee problem.

The midfielder was withdrawn at half-time on Sunday after being on the end of a rash challenge from Chelsea’s David Luiz. The club are waiting for the swelling to ease before making any further assessment, although there are reports suggesting he could be sidelined for several weeks.

Wayne Rooney missed the trip to Stamford Bridge due to a thigh problem picked up in the 4-1 win against Fenerbahce in the Europa League.

Reports of Rooney hiding the injury from Mourinho don’t appear to have gone down well with the United boss, though, with speculation now mounting over the United skipper’s future at Old Trafford.

Even if Rooney is passed fit for Saturday’s match then, he looks an outside bet to force his way back into the starting XI.

Santi Cazorla, Aaron Ramsey, Olivier Giroud

Speaking to the media ahead of tonight’s EFL Cup tie against Reading, Arsene Wenger revealed that Olivier Giroud would probably be involved against the Royals.

While it’s unlikely he’ll start against Sunderland on Saturday, there appears every chance he’ll be able to feature off the bench for the Gunners in Gameweek 10.

Although Aaron Ramsey is back in full training, Wenger said tonight’s match would come too early for the Welshman, with the Arsenal boss keen not to rush the midfielder back into action. There only looks a slim chance he’ll be named among the substitutes on Saturday.

Santi Cazorla also sits out the Reading tie, as his Achilles injury continues to be monitored. The Gunners clearly missed his playmaking abilities in the centre of the park, failing to score for only the second time this term against ‘Boro on Saturday.

Owners of Alexis Sanchez and Theo Walcott will be hoping he makes it in time for Saturday lunchtime – the pair are highly fancied in this week’s Captain Poll, sitting first and third respectively at the time of writing.

Junior Stanislas, Andrew Surman

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe had to make do without Junior Stanislas (calf) for Saturday’s match against Tottenham Hotspur, while Andrew Surman fell ill during the warm-up, and had to be replaced by Dan Gosling in the starting XI.

Surman did take part in Bournemouth’s public training session earlier today, though, so it’s expected he’ll be available to return for Saturday’s trip to Middlesbrough.

Stanislas has picked up a muscle injury in his calf but may come back into contention for the long trip to the north-east.

He was snapped up by over 58,000 FPL managers on the back of three goals and two assists in his previous three and will be hoping to face a defence that’s yet to keep a clean sheet in front of their own supporters.

Stephen Ward, George Boyd

Stephen Ward was described as being “battered and bruised” by the club’s official website after being substituted in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Everton, but the ever-present left-back will be expected to be in the starting XI for Saturday’s trip to Old Trafford.

Jon Flanagan replaced Ward on the weekend, and is the obvious player to step in should Ward be considered in need of a rest by Burnley boss Sean Dyche.

George Boyd missed the clash against the Toffees due to an ankle problem picked up in the 3-1 defeat to Southampton.

He could be a doubt for Saturday’s match, then, with Scott Arfield and Michael Kightly able deputies, while Dyche will also have Andre Gray available again following the completion of his four-match ban.

Jason Puncheon

A calf strain picked up in the 1-0 defeat to West Ham United ruled Jason Puncheon out of Crystal Palace’s trip to Leicester City on Saturday, with Eagles boss Alan Pardew ruing the absence of the midfielder following Saturday’s 3-1 defeat.

He remains a doubt for this weekend’s home clash against Liverpool then, although Pardew is reportedly hopeful he will be fit to return against the Reds.

Yohan Cabaye took Puncheon’s position in the side at the King Power Stadium, and would be expected to remain in the No 10 role should Puncheon fail to recover.

Patrick van Aanholt, Jack Rodwell

Sunderland’s Patrick van Aanholt (groin) and Jack Rodwell (calf) both missed training on Monday ahead of tomorrow night’s trip to Southampton in the EFL Cup.

However, David Moyes expects both players to be in the travelling party for the trip to the south coast.

The outlook looks positive for the pair’s prospects of being fit to face Arsenal on Saturday, then, although, given Rodwell’s injury history, nothing can be taken for granted.

Van Aanholt’s availability for the Arsenal match could arguably be good news for Theo Walcott owners. The Dutchman has already netted twice this season due to his raids forward from the Black Cats’ left flank, and the Gunners’ right winger looks in the mood to exploit any space left by his attacking tendencies.

James McClean

West Brom’s James McClean suffered a nasty laceration on his leg during Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Liverpool, but the midfielder is expected to be available for the visit of Man City to the Hawthorns this weekend.