Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho is ruled out until January, while Roberto Firmino’s calf problem keeps him sidelined for the EFL Cup to leave Jurgen Klopp and Fantasy managers dangling. Elsewhere, Olivier Giroud is also an early doubt for Arsenal’s weekend trip to West Ham and Raheem Sterling takes a knock ahead of Manchester City’s meeting with Chelsea. Here’s a review of the latest scrapes to arrive on the Premier League treatment tables.
Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino, Daniel Sturridge
Liverpool were dealt a severe blow when Philippe Coutinho was stretchered off during the first-half of Saturday’s 2-0 win over Sunderland due to an ankle injury. As reported earlier this evening, Coutinho has now been confirmed as ruled out for a period of weeks with the club indicating that he will be absent until the New Year.
With an FA Cup tie to follow in the first week of January, we can expect the encounter with Manchester United in Gameweek 21 to be a target date for the Brazilian.
Coutinho has already suffered two price drops this week, having been transferred out by over 400,000 FPL bosses, seeing his price drop to 8.6. Previously the most popular player in FPL, the exodus looks set to continue at pace over the next few weeks.
Coutinho’s team-mate Roberto Firmino also picked up an issue against the Black Cats, with the midfielder suffering a kick to the calf.
Speaking ahead of tonight’s EFL Cup tie against Leeds United, Jurgen Klopp was hopeful that Firmino would be “okay,” although he sits out tonight’s match as the club look to wait for a full diagnosis:
“I know yesterday it was still painful, so that’s something we have to wait for – how he feels today. It’s another day for us. I think it will be OK but I’m not sure at the moment.”
Firmino’s status will need to be checked later in the week, then, but he appears at this point to have a good chance of being fit to face Bournemouth on Sunday.
Sturridge was ruled out of the Sunderland match due to a calf injury, and wasn’t able to take part in training on Monday.
The England international appears to be more of an injury concern ahead of Gameweek 14, then, with Divock Origi set to earn the opportunity to claim a starting spot for Sunday’s trip to the Vitality Stadium after he netted his first league goal of the season in Saturday’s 2-0 win. Origi starts against Leeds United tonight.
Olivier Giroud, Mathieu Debuchy, Hector Bellerin
The French striker suffered a minor groin problem during the final few seconds of Sunday’s 3-1 win over Bournemouth, and has been ruled out of tomorrow night’s EFL Cup clash against Southampton.
Speaking after Sunday’s match, Wenger initially stated:
“In the first moment, he told me that he felt a twitch in the back of his hamstring and we will see. I hope it’s not too bad because he told me after that when he sprinted he didn’t feel anything.”
Despite emerging from the bench to claim an assist, Giroud seems destined for a sub role at best this weekend – he has yet to start a single Premier League match for the Gunners in 2016/17.
Wenger will have forward Lucas Perez available to face Saints, though, with the Spaniard having recovered from an ankle injury.
Handed his first Premier League start of the season against Bournemouth, Debuchy’s afternoon only lasted 16 minutes before being forced off due to a hamstring injury.
The defender is due to have an MRI scan later today, but looks set to be ruled out for a number of weeks.
Gabriel replaced the French defender at right-back on Sunday, and it looks a clear choice between the Brazilian and Carl Jenkinson, who made way for Debuchy against the Cherries, for the starting spot at right-back over the next few weeks.
There was more positive news regarding Hector Bellerin though, with the Spaniard in line to return from an ankle injury ahead of the busy festive period:
“It’s going really good. Better than I expected. It is a hard injury to recover from and a bit painful. But I am going to try to be running from this week and hopefully I’ll be back on the pitch in less than four weeks.”
A return to action in four weeks’ time would coincide with a superb run of fixtures for the Gunners from Boxing Day onwards that would bring the Spaniard back onto our radars.
Arsenal host West Brom, Palace, Burnley and Watford over that period, with trips to Bournemouth and Swansea City also pencilled in.
Raheem Sterling
The Man City midfielder was substituted during the 57th minute of Saturday’s 2-1 win at Burnley after being on the receiving end of a robust challenge from Clarets defender Ben Mee.
City are yet to release any official comment on the winger’s status, but it isn’t thought that Sterling suffered any serious damage.
Pep Guardiola’s side host leaders Chelsea on Saturday, so the City boss will no doubt be desperate to have the winger available for the early kick-off.
After peaking in price at 8.6, Sterling has now fallen below his starting price of 8.0, sitting at 7.9 after failing to produce any points since Gameweek 6. With Pep Guardiola’s rotation policy seeing Kevin De Bruyne benched at Burnley, Sergio Aguero appears to be the only City attacker worthy of attention currently.
Charlie Daniels
The Bournemouth defender missed Sunday’s 3-1 defeat to Arsenal due to a hip flexor problem picked up during the Cherries 1-0 win over Stoke City in Gameweek 12.
Daniels’ status remains uncertain heading into Sunday’s home clash against Liverpool, so Cherries boss Eddie Howe will hopefully provide an update on his condition during his pre-match press conference.
Brad Smith deputised at left-back against Arsenal and would be in line to start against his former club this weekend if Daniels is ruled out once again.
Intriguingly, Howe utilised Adam Smith on the right wing at the Emirates – the right-back has already racked up a goal and a pair of assists and is clearly one to monitor if he continues to be stationed in midfield as an out of position prospect. That could be unlikely given that Jack Wilshere is due to return to the squad for Gameweek 14 having been ineligible to face parent club Arsenal.
Johann Berg Gudmundsson, Tom Heaton, Dean Marney
Gudmundsson and Marney were forced off during Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Man City due to hamstring injuries, while Heaton was ruled out after picking up a calf problem during training last week.
Speaking about Heaton, Dyche’s comment suggests his calf issue isn’t too serious:
“Tom got a calf injury and couldn’t make it today.”
Heaton’s 14.9% ownership in Fantasy Premier League (FPL) will certainly hope the goalkeeper will be available to return in place of Paul Robinson this weekend, with the Clarets travelling to the bet365 Stadium to take on Stoke City.
Any length of absence would be a bitter blow for FPL owners, given that Heaton sits second in the keeper standings. At 4.0, Robinson could become a cheaper enabler if handed a run of starts should Heaton be ruled out for a number of weeks.
As for Gudmundsson and Marney, no official comment has been made regarding their injuries, although hamstring issues are rarely healed over the course of a week, making them serious doubts for Saturday’s match.
Scott Arfield certainly appears likely to earn a recall in midfield, then, while Dyche may consider starting with two forwards, with Ashley Barnes and Andre Gray options to partner Sam Vokes in attack.
Connor Wickham
The Crystal Palace forward had to be stretchered off after suffering a knee injury in Saturday’s 5-4 defeat to Swansea City, with the club today confirming that he’ll have to undergo surgery.
Wickham suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury, and while Palace didn’t get any timeframe for his return, it’s likely he’ll be ruled out for several months.
Alan Pardew started with Wickham alongside Christian Benteke in a 4-4-2 at the Liberty but Palace now look set to revert to a 4-2-3-1, with the big Belgian looking to build on Saturday’s goal and assist.
James McCarthy
The Everton midfielder missed Sunday’s 1-0 defeat to Southampton after suffering a recurrence of a hamstring problem.
But speaking after the match, Ronald Koeman stated the Republic of Ireland international was left out as a precaution more than anything else:
“He was tired and had a little problem in his hamstring again. He did not train Tuesday or Wednesday. He started training on Friday again, and I didn’t take the risk of putting him in the team because we need everybody fit and available for the busy time coming up.”
McCarthy appears to have a good chance of being able to face Man United on Sunday then, and given Everton’s abject performance at St Mary’s, he could potentially come straight back into the starting XI, having started in the 1-1draw against Swansea City.
Ryan Mason
The Hull City midfielder was forced off at half-time during Saturday’s 1-1 draw with West Bromwich Albion due to illness.
Tigers boss Mike Phelan confirmed yesterday that Mason won’t feature in tonight’s EFL Cup tie against Newcastle United, but with Hull travelling to Middlesbrough on Monday night, he may have enough time to fully recover to retain his starting spot.
Sofiane Boufal, Steven Davis
Earlier today, Southampton boss Claude Puel revealed that Sofiane Boufal and Steven Davis have been passed fit in time for tomorrow’s EFL Cup encounter against Arsenal
With Dusan Tadic still sidelined due to a broken nose, Boufal has the chance to play his way into consideration as a mid-price midfield option ahead of some fine fixtures.
At present, our focus remains on Charlie Austin as the Saints’ likeliest source of attacking returns, with the forward climbing to sixth in the forward standing after firing a weekend winner against Everton.
Ryan Shawcross
The Stoke City skipper was left out of the squad for Sunday’s 1-0 win at Watford as a precaution after suffering a calf problem during the final training session before the match.
The injury doesn’t appear to be a serious one, then, but given that Mark Hughes’ side claimed an impressive win at Vicarage Road, and kept a clean sheet in the process, there could be a temptation not to rush Shawcross back for Saturday’s home clash against Burnley.
Marc Muniesa deputised for the Potters on the weekend, and the Spanish defender may start in central defence once more.
Lynden Gooch
The Sunderland midfielder was stretchered off with an ankle injury during the club’s U23s match against Tottenham Hotspur yesterday.
The USA international will be assessed later this week, but he looks to have little chance of being available for Saturday’s home encounter with Leicester City, and could face an extended spell on the sidelines.
Borja Baston
The Spaniard was left out of the matchday squad for Saturday’s 5-4 victory over Crystal Palace due to a knock.
Borja remains a doubt for Saturday’s trip to Tottenham Hotspur, and in any case appears to be the third choice to lead the line for the Welsh outfit, with Gylfi Sigurdsson excelling in the “false nine” role, while Fernando Llorente is pushing for a starting berth following his brace and assist at the weekend.
Jose Holebas, Younes Kaboul
Both players were forced off with injuries during Watford’s 1-0 home defeat to Stoke City, with Kaboul aggravating an existing calf problem, while Holebas was forced off with a knock.
Of the two, it’s Kaboul whose injury appears the more serious, given he was a doubt coming into the match due to a calf injury.
Walter Mazzarri will already be without the suspended Miguel Britos for Saturday trip to the Hawthorns, so he’ll be desperate to have Kaboul available to face the Baggies, given that Craig Cathcart also looks set to remain sidelined.
Holebas was on a yellow card when he was replaced on Sunday, and with his injury not thought to be as a serious, he may have more of a chance of being passed fit.
The veteran remains in 8% of FPL squads on the back of two goals and an assist and has some decent fixtures to follow, with West Brom, Sunderland and Palace in the next five.
Diafra Sakho, Andy Carroll
Speaking ahead of Wednesday night’s EFL Cup clash against Man United, West Ham United boss Slaven Bilic revealed that Diafra Sakho suffered a hamstring injury during Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.
“Diafra picked up a hamstring injury and we are waiting to see how bad the injury is. He will definitely not be available for the game on Wednesday. We will have to wait for the results of the scan to see how many weeks we will be without him.”
There’s better news on that fitness of Andy Carroll, though, with the striker perhaps being able to feature tomorrow night, and definitely in line to be available to face Arsenal on Saturday:
“We are going to see what happens today. Andy has a good recovery and has been training with us. If he progresses well and there are not any minor setbacks, he will definitely be ready for Saturday, and we will make a decision about the United game after training… With Andy we take it on a daily basis.”
After a stint on the sidelines, Sakho had started the last two matches and found the net at Old Trafford. Taking Carroll’s injury history into consideration, the big Geordie is perhaps more likely to be used as a sub this weekend as Bilic eases him back into contention.
This could persuade the Hammers boss to turn to Michail Antonio or Andre Ayew up front – both have already led the line in previous league matches this season.
Antonio has a goal and assist in his last two now, and we have one eye on his form ahead of some favourable fixtures from Gameweek 16 onwards. The midfielder is one booking short of a single-match ban, though.
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