This last weekend saw more early baths for Premiership players than would have ever likely been predicted. Four players in total got their marching orders, and on top of having to survive minus points in most fantasy games for the cards themselves, fantasy managers will be loath to have to deal with the fact their players will now be missing for up to a number of games…

The obviously biggest frustration to fantasy managers will be that Jermain Defoe now looks set to face a three game ban for his stamp on Aaron Mokoena on Saturday – the only light is that one of those three games will include the Carling Cup tie against Everton. Most fantasy managers with Defoe will not be best pleased though, having had to sit cautiously on the player when he dislocated his fingers he will now miss a nice home tie against Stoke and the North London derby away at Arsenal.

The absence of Defoe will be another player’s gain though, as Peter Crouch will now look all but assured of a starting spot in the two aforementioned games – this could be the perfect timing for him to show Harry Redknapp why he is deserving of a regular starting berth. Priced at a mere £7.1m in fantasy premier league he could be a good short term gamble, and even long term option if he impresses enough.

Moving down the scale we also had three less prestigious fantasy players stroll down the tunnel before the final whistle was blown. Stefan Maierhofer, Pablo Zabaleta & Michael Brown all received two yellow cards this weekend so will be missing from their relevant squads for gameweek 10. All these should spell less worry for most fantasy managers but the biggest note to be taken is that Micah Richards should be looking to take his right-back spot back – and with three home fixtures to Fulham, Hull & Burnley on the horizon he could be a good buy given his recent price drop and threat at set plays.

One thing we should also keep our eye out for this the state of Robert Huth – the German international got away with a swipe to the back of Matthew Upsons head as it went unnoticed by the referee. However, a retrospective three game ban is on the cards, so those of you still with Andy Wilkinson in your squads may want to hold on until we know for sure, as he will be a ready made replacement.

As we are getting deeper into the season we are also getting more and more players precariously positioned on the suspension tightrope and close to a one game ban for having received five yellow cards. Scott Parker is already the first not so proud player to have to sit on the sidelines this past weekend and sixteen players are edging ever closer, currently sitting on 3 yellow cards – including many fantasy favourites and hot prospects like David Dunn, Ryan Shawcross & Gabriel Agbonlahor.

The players sitting on 4 yellow cards, and who fantasy managers should be most mindful of are: Stephen Carr, Alex Song, Jermain Jenas, Martin Skrtel, Lorik Cana & Julien Faubert. I think many people (myself including) are sitting on Stephen Carr as a budget defensive option so should keep an eye out, and those looking at Alex Song as a cheap defender from the Arsenal pack should also be at least a little bit wary.

I now hand you over to my colleague Greek Fan with an update on the latest injury news:

With nine of the gameweek’s fixtures already in history books, there are plenty of issues for discussion. The reigning champions are in driver’s seat again, but they are sweating over injuries to Patrice Evra and Ryan Giggs after the game with Bolton. Wayne Rooney, Nemanja Vidic and Darren Fletcher were injured before that one and forced to sit out. All five of them are doubtful ahead of a hard week for United who have to travel to Moscow and then Liverpool. The reds are hopeful they will have Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres fit again for Champions League action and most likely for the big Premier League clash.

Theo Walcott is Gunners’ latest casualty, while José Bosingwa hobbled out of Chelsea’s defeat at Villa Park, having just returned from another injury and Emanuel Adebayor limped out of action at Wigan. Hardly anyone could call Black Cats unlucky today, but they had to see two of their players stretchered off and another one coming off feeling sick. They are now anxiously waiting the results of scans for Kenwyne Jones and Lee Cattermole.

You can find more info about Injuries and Bans which Greek Fan diligently keeps up-to-date page. Stay logged in to Fantasy Football Scout for all the latest news, articles and features.