Leighton Baines’ hamstring puts thousands of Fantasy managers on alert as the left-back misses out for England, while Stewart Downing looks set to calm his own injury fears by returning to contention against Slovenia. Elsewhere, Alexis Sanchez maintains his hot-streak while United look set to lose David de Gea to injury, as Radamel Falcao edges back to contention up front.

BAINES SUFFERS INJURY BLOW

England manager Roy Hodgson has ruled Leighton Baines out of his side’s upcoming Euro Qualifiers with a hamstring injury:

“What happened was it was a relatively short training session. We’d had the warm-up, we’d had the passing work and were just about to go into a game situation which had only just begun when he felt his hamstring. Immediately he needed to stop the training because he’s an experienced player and obviously realised something wasn’t right. I can’t tell you the extent, we will have to wait until the doctors at Everton do their analysis or their research into the injury but it did mean he was out of the question for tomorrow.”

The Scout Says: Hodgson’s revelation will come as a major concern for a vast number of Fantasy managers, with Baines now the second most popular defender in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) with an ownership 25%. Having earned attacking returns in seven of his last nine, the Everton left back is currently the third highest scoring player in FPL, trailing Alexis Sanchez and Sergio Aguero. Baines has claimed 28,000 new owners since his double figure haul last weekend.

Baines will undergo a scan back on Merseyside and we can anticipate a prognosis early next week. While the player has suffered hamstring issues in the past – his previous setback occurred whilst on duty with England in the World Cup – he has been fortunate with long-term absences. A broken toe ruled Baines out of six matches last season but, before that, he had been an ever-present in two of the three previous campaigns.

Should Baines face a spell on the sidelines, it may force many to consider a switch to the similarly priced Branislav Ivanonic, despite his lack of recent form, or perhaps go for Baines’ fellow Toffee, Seamus Coleman; he played the full 90 minutes for Ireland last night. The right back may not have matched Baines’ recent efforts, but has averaged a more than respectful 7.75 points per appearance over his last four, and offers Baines’ owners a straight forward switch, with Everton facing three promising home matches in their next five (WHM, HUL, QPR). Meanwhile, Roberto Martinez will hope that Bryan Oviedo’s fitness has fully recovered in order that the Costa Rican can fill the void at left-back. Oviedo missed the recent Europa League clash with Lille but is close to a return following a long-term injury. Oviedo is available for 4.9 in the FPL and earned two goals and an assist in his brief spell deputising for Baines last season.

DOWNING IN CONTENTION FOR SLOVENIA ENCOUNTER

West Ham’s Stewart Downing missed England’s training session yesterday with a knock, though reports suggest this was merely a precaution and the midfielder is still in contention for today’s meeting with Slovenia.

The Scout Says: Downing’s recent form has seen him ascend our Watchlist and reach over 14% ownership in FPL, and those who have found a place in their sides for the former Liverpool man will now be praying that he avoids any further injury scares before the Hammers face Everton next weekend. With a decent schedule following on from the Toffees encounter (NEW, wba, SWA, sun, LEI), Downing undoubtedly has the potential to increase his stock further and continue to make a mockery of his modest 5.9 price tag. Everton have conceded more goals in home matches than any other Premier League side and West Ham and Downing will be strongly fancied to continue that trend.

SANCHEZ ON SONG IN SOUTH AMERICA

Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez notched the first of five goals for Chile last night as they overcame Venezuela 5-0 in a friendly, with QPR’s Eduardo Vargas and Hull’s Pablo Hernandez also on the scoresheet.

The Scout Says: Sanchez was afforded 85 minutes last night, and now faces a clash with Uruguay in midweek before a long haul flight home, and some owners may be dubious over the midfielder’s potential for fatigue ahead of Arsenal’s meeting with United next weekend. Nonetheless, his continued goal scoring form is sure to keep him in the spotlight, with his 10.9 price tag still offering value give that he’s grabbed six goals in his last four league appearances. Indeed, Sanchez has received more transfers in this week than any other player, and his 62,000 new owners will now be hoping for safe passage back to England, allowing Arsene Wenger to unleash the Chilean’s form on a United rearguard still troubled by injuries.

FALCAO ON VERGE OF RETURN

Colombia manager Jose Pekerman has stated that Radamel Falcao is close to a comeback from his recent injury problems, and revealed that he could even be fit to line up against Arsenal next weekend:

“There is no doubt he is in optimal condition. He’s recovered very successfully. He’s done everything perfectly. This is a small muscular injury, it is different to the knee injury before the World Cup. He’s in a good condition and could be ready for Arsenal. He will be one of the best players Manchester United have had and will break a lot of records in England.”

The Scout Says: A return for Falcao would be a timely boost for United, with fellow forward Robin Van Persie currently a doubt for Gameweek 12. Falcao is by no means guaranteed a regular starting berth since Louis van Gaal’s decision to move to a lone forward system, but should Van Persie miss out, the Colombian could be immediately reinstated to the starting lineup at the Emirates. The 10.6-priced striker has produced returns in all three of his starts since his deadline day move to Manchester, and with Wayne Rooney withdrawn to a deeper role in Van Gaal’s current system, Falcao could be set to stand out as the preferred option in United’s forward ranks.

DE GEA DAMAGES FINGER IN TRAINING

Man United’s David De Gea has suffered a dislocated finger in training with the Spanish national side; he will remain while the injury is further assessed.

The Scout Says: It would seem that the keeper’s long term finger problem has been aggravated yet again and the Spaniard could now be set to deal a serious blow to his 13.7% ownership. After registering a first clean sheet in the last seven last weekend against Crystal Palace, De Gea’s prospects were certainly on the up, though a trip to Arsenal in Gameweek 12 provided reasons to overlook De Gea, even before news of this injury. With two enticing home games following the Gunners clash (HUL, STO), there may have been some merit in monitoring the Reds’ backline potential; an absence for De Gea may force a rethink. United’s stopper has been in inspired form this season and, with continued injury problems and without their first-choice keeper, few will be backing Van Gaal’s rearguard, even against “lesser” opposition.