Team News
29 December 2017 907 comments
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Harry Kane hopes to recover from illness in time for Spurs’ clash with Swansea on Tuesday night. Wayne Rooney is available for Everton’s trip to Bournemouth, while Andreas Christensen could return for Chelsea’s home meeting with Stoke City, who face a defensive crisis for the trip to west London.

Here’s our summary of the key team news so far as we await this afternoon’s press conferences.

Fantasy managers were thrown an unexpected curveball earlier today as Mauricio Pochettino conceded that Harry Kane has been struck down by illness ahead of the first match of Spurs’ double Gameweek 22.

The Spurs boss had this to say on the matter:

“He’s ill. He’s cold, like me! The doctor was there at his house, like with all the players when they don’t feel good. We’ll see tomorrow if he can train and be here. But it’s not a big issue. Today I don’t know if he’ll be available or not.”

The striker is apparently optimistic of recovering in time for the Wembley clash, with his fitness now a major factor to consider, with many looking to wield Triple Caaptain chips in light of his back-to-back hat-tricks against Burnley and Southampton.

Fernando Llorente is the likely candidate to deputise against his former club, though Pochettino could even opt for the in-form Son Heung-min to lead the line should Kane miss out.

Over 134,000 FPL managers have brought in the Spurs striker despite the lack of a Gameweek 21 fixture, making him the second most popular acquisition up front. He is also the most sold striker in the Gameweek, with over 158,000 parting company.

Those still holding may now think twice over playing their Triple Captain, while non-owners now face a dilemma – do they bring Kane in and run the risk of him not being available for both matches?

Given that Spurs don’t play until Tuesday now, it’s very unlikely that we will get any further official update ahead of Monday’s 11.30am deadline.

Now on to the Gameweek 21 news….

Eddie Howe has revealed that he will make late calls on a number of players ahead of the home clash against Everton, with Charlie Daniels, Andrew Surman and Harry Arter all doubts. Junior Stanislas is sidelined with a groin problem.

Meanwhile, Sam Allardyce has confirmed that Wayne Rooney has recovered from illness, and is available for the trip to the Vitality Stadium. James McCarthy “should be available”, but Idrissa Gueye (hamstring) is more likely to return against Manchester United in Gameweek 22.

Andreas Christensen missed the 2-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion due to illness, but could return for Chelsea’s home clash against Stoke City after reportedly returning to training yesterday. This could see either Gary Cahill or Antonio Rudiger drop to the bench.

Mark Hughes will be without the injured Ryan Shawcross for the trip to Stamford Bridge, while Kurt Zouma is ineligible to face his parent club. According to the Potters boss, Erik Pieters “has an outside chance” of being able to return, but Bruno Martins Indi and Glen Johnson miss out, leaving Stoke desperately short of defensive options.

David Wagner looks set to hand a recall to Laurent Depoitre for the home meeting with Burnley after the Belgian was limited to a second-half substitute appearance in the 1-1 draw against Stoke.

Burnley boss Sean Dyche revealed that Stephen Ward remains doubtful ahead of the trip to the John Smith’s Stadium due to a knee problem, while Chris Wood is rated as “touch and go.” James Tarkowski continues to serve his suspension.

Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson is out for around a month with a hamstring injury, while Jurgen Klopp could consider handing a recall to Sadio Mane for the home encounter against Leicester City.

The Foxes will be without Danny Simpson for the trip to Anfield, with the defender sidelined for four to five weeks with a hamstring injury. Daniel Amartey is available again after serving a one-match ban, and may deputise at right-back.

Florian Lejeune and Isaac Hayden remain doubts for Newcastle United’s home fixture against Brighton & Hove Albion. Mikel Merino, Matt Ritchie, Christian Atsu and Dwight Gayle are all set to push for starts having featured on the bench against Manchester City.

Pascal Gross and Anthony Knockaert are expected to be handed recalls for the trip to St James’ Park, while on-loan midfielder Izzy Brown returns to the squad after being ineligible to face his parent club Chelsea.

Roberto Pereyra was withdrawn with a knock in Watford’s 2-1 win over Leicester but is expected to be in contention for Swansea City’s visit to Vicarage Road. Will Hughes (hamstring) remains doubtful, while Troy Deeney continues to serve his four-match ban.

New Swans head coach Carlos Carvalhal is expected to hand a recall to Tammy Abraham for his first match in charge. Ki Sung-yeung (calf) is a major doubt, but Leroy Fer (back) should be available.

Chris Smalling (groin) remains a major doubt for the home fixture against Southampton, while Matteo Darmian (knock) and Anthony Martial (knee) will be assessed after sitting out the 2-2 draw with Burnley. The latter was pictured in training yesterday, though Antonio Valencia is not expected to be available as he continues to nurse a hamstring problem.

As for Saints, they’ll again be without injured duo Cedric Soares and Ryan Bertrand, while Charlie Austin is both suspended and laid low by a hamstring injury. Steven Davis, Dusan Tadic and Manolo Gabbiadini could push for recalls at Old Trafford.

Crystal Palace’s Joel Ward is not expected to be available for the home clash against Manchester City after missing the last five matches due to a calf injury. Elsewhere, Eagles boss Roy Hodgson could freshen up his midfield by handing a recall to James McArthur.

Vincent Kompany limped off with a calf problem in the 1-0 win over Newcastle United and looks set to miss the trip to Selhurst Park. Fabian Delph (knock) will be assessed having missed Wednesday’s victory, while Leroy Sane is expected to be handed a recall in attack. We’ll be hoping for an update on David Silva later today, with City yet to comment on his Tyneside absence.

West Bromwich Albion head coach Alan Pardew is likely to be without Salomon Rondon for the home meeting with Arsenal; the forward picked up a hamstring injury in the goalless draw against Everton. Hal Robson-Kanu may replace the Venezuelan up front.

The Gunners are set to be without Nacho Monreal once again, with the Spaniard struggling to overcome an ankle injury. Arsene Wenger could continue with a 3-4-2-1 set-up, allowing Sead Kolasinac to retain his role at wing-back.

All this and more has now been updated in the Team News section ahead of tomorrow’s 2.00pm deadline. Keep an eye on our official Twitter account for breaking news – as the day unfolds, we will issue updates from Friday’s press conferences and refresh our Team News tab accordingly to keep you informed.

907 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. enrico.palazzo
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Harry Kane is sick of scoring hatricks

    1. _Make
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      He's feeling a bit nauseous having eaten Southampton's entire defence alive.

      1. BrutalLogiC
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        both good

  2. FPL_Hazards
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Haz,
    Salah
    or Morata

    For captain?

    1. CostaCoffee
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Haz

  3. Differentiator
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Lol @ Us.

    A simple TC was always going to be too easy. We got played.

    1. Ambrosiana Inter
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Only the brave will stand out now

    2. BbBb
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Errr, what? Why?

      1. Differentiator
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        Everyone preparing their TC for plummest of fixtures

        then illness strikes!

    3. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      There will be more fish in the sea

    4. Evasivo
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Why?

    1. CRO KLOPP
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      This game is like a reality show

    2. CostaCoffee
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Wanyama TC?

  4. Albert_Luque
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Anyone seen that Everton have agreed a fee for Cenk Tosun? Seems like it could signal the end of the DCL train.

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Yep, his Days are numbered I think

    2. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      DCL and Niasse need to put in transfer requests IMO.

      Particularly DCL, unless he likes sitting on the bench rotting his talent away. AKA Danny Welbeck

    3. Dr Dream
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      It was denied by his club yesterday according to one source...

  5. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Coutinho+Kiko >> Lingard+Alonso (-4)? Or any other suggestions? Don’t like my team this week

    Elliot
    Christensen • Otamendi • Duffy • Alonso
    Salah • Richarl • Sterling • Haz • Lingard
    Depoitre
    (Fabianski / DCL / Ogbonna* / Kane*)

    1. Doctor X
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      No save your transfer

      Coutinho is a great pick and Kiko out can wait till you have a transfer to burn. Christensen should start to give you Chelsea cover. Play DCL over Kiko.

    2. RedMarks 赤的
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Coutinho won't start?

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        My guess would be he might be rested. What you think?

        1. RedMarks 赤的
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 3 months ago

          No idea tbh. I just think Leicester won't be easy match for Liverpool.

          What do you think of Gayle as Austin repalcement for next few gws?

          1. RAFA THE GAFFA
            • 10 Years
            8 years, 3 months ago

            Avoid

    3. Tshelby
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      I was on that move the whole week ( Coutinho, Fernandez -> Alonso, Lingard) Didn't do it cause still Coutinho best player ppm so I'm keep abit longer.

  6. Doctor X
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Pick please - long term

    A) Coutinho + Quaner
    B) Firmino + Loftus-Cheek

    1. TSN
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      B

    2. FPL_Hazards
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      b

    3. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      b

    4. BrutalLogiC
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      A

    5. pedjaaaa
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      b

  7. CostaCoffee
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    I’m keeping TC on Kane

    1. Evasivo
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      What's made you itchy?

      1. CostaCoffee
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        Risk worth taking, even if he misses the Swans game he’s got a London derby against WHU that he loves playing in

        1. I Member
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 3 months ago

          You would never TC Kane in a SGW against West Ham.

    2. BobBradleysOpportunity
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      im guna wait for another few days and then decide based on possible updates from spurs or other journalists.

    3. Debauchy
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      That's the spirit , hear no evil , see no evil...

  8. Fantasy Gold
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    I guess 3 days is a long time to recover if he’s just got a cold/sore throat.

    Hopefully it’s just as minor as that

    1. Brap.
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      If he only had a sore throat it wouldn't be up on the Spurs twitter

      1. Fantasy Gold
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        Why wouldn’t it exactly?

        It keeps the opposition guessing

    2. Numb
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Maybe a cold, I noticed he was breathing through his mouth in the last post match interview

      1. Fantasy Gold
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        😆

      2. SUAREZ_MESSI_COUTINHO
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        😮 😯

      3. Debauchy
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        lol

    3. Debauchy
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Yeah , but was seen hugging Rooney recently , beware

    4. Albert_Luque
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Could be norovirus which is pretty debilitating. A lot of it been going round recently.

  9. Forza Papac
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Kane not yet flagged..

    1. Fantasy Gold
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Lol oh come on

    2. J T
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Must be ok then!

    3. pedjaaaa
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      it is now 🙁

  10. Meinhoff
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    So that settles it, no Kane TC next week. I'm actually a little bit relieved, would have been deliberating that decision whole weekend.

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Swansea and West Ham for the best striker in the league in red hot form! The illness is a massive disappointment

      1. Meinhoff
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        Yeah, probably was the most obvious TC choice we would get this season. Too much uncertainty now for such a valuable chip.

    2. Woys_Stowy
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Why no Kane TC?

      1. pedjaaaa
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        illness

  11. TSN
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Pope
    Ota jones christensen
    Richarlison salah haz sterling surman
    Firmino niasse

    Sub: elliott mbemba ogbonna kane

    1 FT. 0.5 itb

    With the illness, is transferring kane out a good idea?
    Kane mbemba > rooney alonso (-4) sounds good?

    I doubt Mbemba/surman/niasse will score even a point

  12. Numb
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Erm, scenes?

    Guessing we won't get another update now either

    1. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Nope - (c) Kane still on, but TC too risky, especially as 99% certain others will have good DGWs later on in the season

      1. Numb
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        Yep

      2. SADIO SANÉ
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        decent chance one of the DGWs involve Arsenal v City & Utd v Chelsea - should be another one though

    2. liiusions
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Might hear something on Tuesday but that's no good. Far too risky to TC Kane now

    3. Sir Edo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Are there another Spurs press conference before next gw? Monday first of January seems unlikely?! 😮

      1. Numb
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        No, I think this was it

  13. Maddi Son
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    If you were wildcarding, would De Gea be your goalkeeper? Or would you use funds elsewhere.

    1. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      pickford and use funds elsewhere

    2. Burger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Pickford/Pope

  14. Differentiator
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    What if the illness is Ebola?

    1. Fantasy Gold
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Could be bird flu?

    2. SUAREZ_MESSI_COUTINHO
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      What if its not?

    3. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      I think the tweet would have been different

      1. _Make
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        Yeah, that would scupper the move to Real too.

        1. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 3 months ago

          😀

    4. JustPark
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Need to quarantine the whole nation I afraid.

  15. BobBradleysOpportunity
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    this kane news is very good for chasers in MLs, i was confident all of the top players in my league would TC kane, and i would have had to as well, because of his form

  16. buttigieg93
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Any ideas for this team? 2 FT's and 0.7 ITB. Cheers

    Pickford
    Otamendi,Christensen,Kenny,Duffy
    Coutinho,Hazrad,Sterling,Salah,Richarlison
    DCL

    Bench- Gray,Rangel,Kane

  17. diesel001
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Harry Kane's ill.....

    F**k. There goes the GW22 plan. Casuals win again.

  18. liiusions
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    So all along Jay was right to ditch Kane

    1. Meinhoff
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      He was right if he intentionally wanted to miss out on 68 points.

      1. Dino
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        Sho the players he brought in with the spare cash didn't make him any points and your judging despite those players having this week to score too?

  19. CRO KLOPP
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Jonty, hot topic asap

  20. seanysheep
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Bench 1

    A- holgate
    B- mee
    C- DCL

  21. _Make
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    My helpful contribution:

    If triple captain is so-called because it's worth triple points, then standard captain should be called 'double captain'

    OR

    Triple captain should be called 1.5x captain.

    Mark, have a word.

  22. HD7
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Very slim chances of Daniels playing?

  23. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Poch on Harry Kane: "He's ill. He's at home. The doctor was there at his house. We'll see tomorrow if he can be training here. It's no big issue."

    https://twitter.com/AlasdairGold/status/946728170367148032

    1. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Hopefully he is resting up and not playing FIFA...

  24. manu4life99
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    £0.1m short from Kane/Austin >> Morata/Firm

    Should
    I do this for a -8pt:

    Kane,Austin,Joselu >> Morata,Firmino,Depoitre

    Team is:

    Elliot
    Christiansen Kenny Robertson Otamendi Mariappa*
    Sterling Sane Cout Haz Richarlison
    Joselu* Kane* Austin*

  25. Dr Dream
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Pffft....That's TC out the window then....

    What's the plan?.....Free hit chip instead of TC?...

    1. _Make
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      It's not 'everyone has to play a chip' week you know? 😉

      1. Dr Dream
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        TC, Free hit, Bench boost and WC...all best played for DGW's....we could end up with more chips than DGW's...

    2. Meinhoff
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Nah, just take a hit or two and get the best DGWers

  26. Taking the Mkhitaryan
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Jay been tampering with Kanes dinner???

    1. Fantasy Gold
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Lasagne served by Jay last night

    2. _Make
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Jarvish has a...theory.

  27. Kun, Ayew Nigerian?
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Wow, so fast:

    Top 10 forward transfer combinations across FPL this Gameweek

    1 Kane > Morata (7.7%)

    1. Fantasy Gold
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Makes perfect sense

  28. TSN
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    % of playing 60 minutes?

    1. Niasse
    2. Surman
    3. Mbemba

    1. Fantasy Gold
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      50
      0
      0