Just as expected the international break provided enough havoc to almost force a fluttering of Fantasy Premier League wildcards – regardless of the desire to play the price market. Recent injuries to the likes of Michael Dawson, Theo Walcott and Jermain Defoe were joined today by short-term setbacks for Thomas Vermaelen and Frank Lampard which throw several spanners in the spokes of the Gameweek.

Vermaelen’s injury compounded my doubts that Wenger’s side will keep Bolton out at the Emirates, allowing me to throw a couple of curveball selections in my Picks defence. That at least compensates for the familiarity found elsewhere in the lineup. Differentials are available but remain options for the ballsy and brave (foolish?) when the likes of Florent Malouda, Gareth Bale, Didier Drogba and Andy Carroll continue to demonstrate form and threat to make it almost impossible to leave them at home.

It’s a Scout Pick selection chosen with risk management in mind. It won’t always be like that; one day I might just take a look at Jean Beausejour…

The Defence

Joe Hart
Fresh off the back of two more impressive performances on the international stage, Hart looks a strong bet to cement his ranking as the top keeper in the Fantasy Premier League with returns against Blackburn. City have been conceding chances but Rovers aren’t the most ambitious away from home and Hart will provide a formidable barrier when they do get a glimpse of the posts.

Brede Hangeland
Mark Hughes is still waiting on his first three points and clean sheet of the season but the visit of Wolves to Craven Cottage this weekend appears to offer a good opportunity. Hangeland is the defensive leader who will always attract the eye of the FPL Bonus judges and has already proven his threat from set-plays with the equaliser in Fulham’s last home clash with United.

Ashley Cole
Vying for that big money slot in our defences along with United’s Patrice Evra and Liverpool’s Glen Johnson, Cole clearly has the edge off the back of three consecutive Chelsea clean sheets. His attacking prowess has also been in evidence with an assist earned in the win over West Brom, whilst he was denied a goal by the woodwork against Stoke last time out. West Ham are due a strike from open play when you consider the sheer number of chances they’ve wasted this season, but the Chelsea defence is unlikely to grant them any favours and there’s every chance that they will return from Upton Park with their 100% defensive record intact.

Ryan Shawcross
The Stoke centre back has suffered an FPL price drop making him even more attractive as an option ahead of three home games in four for Tony Pulis’ men. While defensive returns will be in question against a Villa side who can carry a significant threat, the visitors are in flux following the arrival of Gerard Houllier and looked dreadful in their last away outing at Newcastle. A unfamiliar vulnerability at set-plays was exposed in that game and Stoke have the weapons to exploit such flaws at the Britannia on Monday. Shawcross is a major threat in their deadball ploys and I’ve a feeling we will see some attacking returns very soon.

Ronnie Stam
My fixation with Wigan players continues but in the case of Dutch full-back Stam, I feel I’ve got a case. As our recent On The Radar article stated, Stam has been a shining light in the two-and-a-half games he’s played, providing ample evidence that Roberto Martinez has himself an attacking full-back with pace and aggression. Sunderland turn up to the DW Stadium lifted by the arrival of Asamoah Gyan but with a pretty dreadful scoring record away from home. I can see a narrow home win and further disappointment for Steve Bruce on the road. Stam might just profit at both ends of the field.

The Midfield

Florent Malouda
Frank Lampard’s absence from the Chelsea lineup may see Malouda switch to a deeper role but quite frankly, the Frenchman’s form is so strong it’s impossible to overlook him. There’s little more to be said.

Cesc Fabregas
With the Arsenal defence weakened by the absence of Thomas Vermaelen I can see Owen Coyle’s side notching at the Emirates. That would drive the Gunners to register two to three goals so it’s almost essential to buy into that attacking potential. Both Andrei Arshavin and Marounne Chamakh are worthy options but Fabregas is the jewel in the crown. Still short of his best according to Wenger, the Spaniard may see his pitch time cut short as it was at Ewood but with Robin Van Persie and Theo Walcott absent, I see Fabregas stepping up to be the key figure in a Arsenal win against the Trotters.

Adam Johnson
The City winger takes fine international form into the Eastlands clash with Blackburn – form that will surely see him maintain a starting role despite the claims of Shaun Wright-Phillips and David Silva for starts. Johnson’s tricks and threat from range will be a problem for Blackburn’s full-backs and he seems likely to emerge from a City win with FPL Bonus at the very least.

Gareth Bale
Like Malouda, it’s almost impossible to overlook the Tottenham flyer in his current run of form. The trip to the Hawthorns will be tricky for Spurs, particularly with Jermain Defoe’s goals taken out of the equation but the Baggies will afford Redknapp’s side some room to play and Bale will likely be the chief tormentor and main attacking threat on show. A set-piece hogger too of course.

The Forwards

Andy Carroll
The lofty striker has shaken off an ankle problem and declared himself fit to lead the attack against Blackpool and he once again looks a prospect. Ian Holloway’s side won’t come to defend so we can expect an open game with goals and that should suit Newcastle and hand us a game with attacking returns. I can see at least a couple for the home side and it’s hard to imagine Carroll not profiting once again.

Didier Drogba
An automatic selection now and possibly throughout the season – Drogba is well ahead of rivals Wayne Rooney and Fernando Torres both in the Golden Boot race and when it comes to claiming our Fantasy affections up front. Lampard’s absence for the trip to West Ham will put Drogba on spot-kicks and that will surely seal the deal for FPL armbands across the land.

In Reserve

I’ve opted for Jose Enrique on my bench to reinforce by back four – the Spaniard’s clean sheet will be tested by Holloway’s cavalier side but Enrique offers a decent attacking threat in a game that promises goals. The injury to Vermaelen has seen me steer clear of their defence, although Bacary Sagna looks the strongest option if you want to take a punt on the untested Squillaci/Koscielny pairing against the physical presence of Davies and Elmander. As for United, I see them conceding at Everton – simple as. David Moyes’ side have threatened goals and I see Arteta and Pienaar producing the goods to notch and earn Everton a share of the spoils at Goodison.

Midfield options are boosted by another Newcastle player in the form of Kevin Nolan – he will surely figure if we do see a goal fest. There are a host of other mid-price temptations on offer including Fulham’s Simon Davies and Stoke’s Matt Etherington – I see both figuring prominently in the Gameweek.

Up front there are even more choices if you insist on looking beyond the obvious pairing of Drogba and Carroll. The aforementioned Chamakh looks strong but I prefer Bobby Zamora for Fulham and even West Brom’s Marc-Antoine Fortune against a disrupted Spurs defence at the Hawthorns.