Team News

The FPL Gameweek 9 team news and injury updates so far

The October international break is now very much over, with nine Premier League managers holding their pre-Gameweek 9 press conferences on Thursday.

Chris Wilder also caught us on the hop on Wednesday morning, holding his pre-match presser five days before Sheffield United take on Arsenal.

Among the headline injury news from today’s press gatherings was the announcement from Arsenal that Alexandre Lacazette (ankle) has returned to training.

When asked about the French striker’s possible involvement at Bramall Lane on Monday, Unai Emery said:

Today is his first training back with us. He finished it well and he’s feeling well with his injuries. Tomorrow we will be training again and he will be with us. We will decide.

The most important thing is that first, he is training, then secondly it’s whether he can be with us and it depends how he can feel in the next days training with us, whether his ankle is not giving him any more problems.

It’s positive for us that he’s started training and that he’s a possibility for Monday. I don’t know whether he’s ready for 90 minutes or on the bench. We’ll decide that over the next days, but it’s very important for him to come back to training with us.

Reiss Nelson (knee) will be out of action until November but Emery added that Kieran Tierney is ready to feature after his recent return from injury.

The Arsenal boss said of the former Celtic left-back:

He’s ready to play. Now we have two options in that left-back role with Sead Kolasinac and him. We’re going to play a lot of matches after Monday. We will need every player.

It depends how he comes into the first training with us, Sead, after his international matches. We now have two players in that position and we can use one on Monday, it depends how they are, one or the other.

The Blades have doubts over three players, with Wilder saying yesterday:

John Fleck pulled out of the Scotland squad, Oli McBurnie had an issue with his knee. And David McGoldrick. We’ll give them enough time and opportunity to be available to pick from.

We’ve got to clear them, first and foremost, we can’t take risks on them. I don’t think that’ll be fair on players that are fit, as well. They have to do a clearance session, they’re working extremely hard over this international period.

There were positive-sounding comments from the Blades’ boss on John Lundstram, with Wilder replying when asked about his lack of rotation:

I believe in stability, especially from the back. I thought the midfield three have done outstandingly well: Fleck, Lundstram and Norwood.”

We haven’t had Ole Gunnar Solksjaer’s official pre-Gameweek 9 press conference yet – that comes on Friday morning – but there were some helpful comments from the United boss on Paul Pogba (ankle) and David de Gea (groin) in an interview he gave Sky Sports on Wednesday.

Solskjaer said:

David [de Gea] needs a scan. I think he’ll be out. It certainly looked it anyway judging on last night so it’s just one of those things.

No chance [of Pogba being fit]. Paul had an injury, came back, he worked really hard. He came back and played a couple of games, maybe played through the pain barrier. We had a scan after the Arsenal game and he needed a few weeks’ rest in a boot, so hopefully, he won’t be too long. But he won’t make this game, no.

Asked about the rest of United’s injury situation, Solskjaer said:

I can’t tell you 100 per cent [who] is going to be fit as something might happen. But hopefully, Aaron [Wan-Bissaka] and Anthony [Martial] will last the training this week and be available for selection. If it’s for half a game or 30 minutes I don’t know but let’s see where they’re at.

James Maddison pulled out of the England squad over the international break after suffering from illness but Brendan Rodgers provided some reassuring words on the Leicester midfielder today.

The Foxes’ boss said:

He’s fine. He obviously had a knock leading into the Liverpool game and then he was ill whilst he was away with England. He came back, trained a few days this week, and looks fine.

He’s trained well, he was very good today. Yesterday he was obviously getting back out again, and earlier on in the week, but I expect him to be fit and ready. He was really comfortable today in training, he worked very hard.

Leicester otherwise have a clean bill of health, with Dennis Praet due back in training tomorrow after having stayed in Belgium for personal reasons.

The Foxes are up against Burnley this Saturday, with the Clarets set to be without Johann Berg Gudmundsson (hamstring) for several weeks.

Sean Dyche confirmed that late decisions will be made on the fitness of Jack Cork (shoulder) and Ashley Barnes (groin) but confirmed that Erik Pieters has trained all week.

Dyche said:

Johann, he won’t be figuring. Unfortunately, he got injured on international duty and a reasonably serious hamstring injury. It certainly won’t be days. It will be more like weeks. I don’t know how many yet but it’s serious enough to speak in that way.

Corky is a touch-and-go one with a shoulder blade injury that has got a fine fracture in it. Ashley Barnes has got a tight groin so we’ll have to make judgement calls on those two. It’s not a ‘no’ though. That’ll be a judgement call on the risk and rewards of playing.

Erik’s trained all of this week so he’s clear.

Spurs reported on Thursday that Christian Eriksen (dead leg) is being assessed ahead of Saturday’s visit of Watford.

Giovani Lo Celso (hip) and Ryan Sessegnon (hamstring) are back in full training but Mauricio Pochettino implied that those two players won’t feature in Gameweek 9, saying:

Today they are far away off the level that they need to be involved. There are a lot of players ahead of them but it’s good news that they, from now, will be involved with the team. But it’s a massive step.

Asked about Spurs’ returning contingent from international duty, Pochettino added:

Today we expect to arrive this afternoon Sonny, from North Korea, but other players arrive in a very good way, very good mood.

Hugo Lloris (elbow) looks set for an extended period on the sidelines, meanwhile.

The Lilywhites have re-signed Michel Vorm this week, with Pochettino saying of the Dutch goalkeeper:

He’s going to need time but we trust he was training. Of course, he will need to be on the pitch, in the goal, but I’m sure he’s going to be ready as soon as possible, quick.

Brighton take on Aston Villa this Saturday, with Graham Potter confirming that Leandro Trossard (groin) is back in training but unlikely to start in the Midlands.

Potter said:

We need to be careful with him, he’s probably not ready to start at the weekend, I think that’s fair to say. But still, he’s training with the group and we’ll make a decision this afternoon and tomorrow as to whether he’s in the group.

Jose Izquierdo (knee) and Bernardo (knock) are Potter’s only absentees.

Dean Smith also has a near-clean bill of health, saying on Thursday:

Jonathan Kodjia is back to full fitness, he’s been training with us. The only one who’s missing is Jota, who ended up having to have a hernia operation on Friday. So he’s out for a couple of weeks now.

Engels is fine, he’s trained ever since the Norwich game. Chester’s had another couple of weeks [of training], he’ll probably play some minutes in the under-23s game against Fulham on Monday to get him up to speed.

Ralph Hasenhuttl said of Southampton’s injury latest ahead of the Saints’ trip to Wolves:

I think they are all fit back. No injuries so far, so we only have Moussa Djenepo and Cedric Soares still injured.

Djenepo and Soares may return in Gameweek 11.

Everton, whose boss Marco Silva will deliver his press conference on Friday, have announced that Jean-Philippe Gbamin has undergone surgery on a tendon injury in his right quadriceps muscle, which will keep the defensive midfielder out for around three months.

The Toffees face West Ham in the Saturday lunchtime kick-off, with Manuel Pellegrini confirming on Thursday that Lukasz Fabianksi (hip), Michail Antonio (hamstring) and Winston Reid (knee/match fitness) are the Hammers’ only absentees for that clash.

Declan Rice has recovered from illness.

Quique Sanchez Flores said of Watford’s current injury situation:

We have Etienne Capoue, Troy Deeney, Prödl and Success, all of them they are out. We try to get a good solution for the problems. This is our mentality.


Predicted line-ups and more detailed information will be found in the Team News tab, which is being refreshed over the coming 24 hours.

We’ll have our regular early-evening round-up of Friday’s press conferences tomorrow, along with a video/podcast summary of all 20 pressers.

505 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    On wildcard....would you....

    A.... pick kun

    B....pick and captain kane v Watford and keel cash spare for kun next week.

    I'm at 1.1m and the idea of kane captain differential v bottom of league is v tempting! Thanks

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Don't like either for captain this week tbh.

    2. gooner_112233445566
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Kane for me this week, bring kun in next. Easy captain choice as well

    3. Tempestic
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I'd go B but lack of Eriksen could hurt. Hes out if i'm not wrong??

      1. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Eriksen potential injury is defo an issue.

        If I dont captain kane armband goes to abraham, not kun...

  2. gooner_112233445566
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Guys I am struggling to decide so much on this decision on wildcard...

    Pope McGovern
    ......., taa, rico, (lund), (kelly)
    Sterling, kdb,......, mount, (dendonck)
    Abraham, Wilson, Kane (c)

    A) pereira and odoi
    B) soy and maddison
    Getting aguero in for Kane next week with ft.

    1. Cookie Kid
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      A

  3. fc_skrald
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Isn´t Lundstram more likely to get attacking points than Tomori?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Yeah, Tomori more likely to get CS points this GW.

    2. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Lundstram is better this gw than Tomori for sure

    3. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I reckon SHU will make it very difficult for Arsenal to score.

  4. Sj3451
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    A. Tammy
    B. Wilson
    C. Vardy (-4)

    1. Sj3451
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      This is a transfer!

    2. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Tammy

    3. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Wouldn't take a hit for Vardy.

      1. Sj3451
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Annoyingly Im 0.1m off him... But that does mean that it’s quite easy to accommodate.

        Quite reluctant on Tammy for some reason, I do have Mount and Tomori which may be the reason

    4. Tempestic
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      A

    5. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Leaning towards B don't know why

      1. Sj3451
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Feel like it offers bit more of a differential!

  5. Tempestic
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    0.0ITB 1FT
    Pope
    TAA Tomori Soy Otamendi
    Son Sterling KDB
    Auba Abraham(c) Pukki
    Button - Cantwell Saka Lundstram

    Son to Mount this week or next?

    1. Gizzachance
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      this week imo
      maybe a chance son benched?

      1. Tempestic
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        But what if he isn't!

        1. Gizzachance
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          chance you have to take, or you wouldnt even be thinking about it

        2. Magic Zico
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Does not matter as Mount will give you more points 😉

  6. JabbaWookiee
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Which one would you go for?

    A) Barnes > King (carry over a FT)
    B) Barnes, Salah, Otamendi > Wilson, Mané, Tomori (-4)
    C) Barnes, Pukki, Salah, Sterling > Vardy, Auba, Mané, Yarmo/McGinn (-8)

    1. Gizzachance
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      A

  7. gooner_112233445566
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    This week only

    A) Kane home to Watford

    B) Auba away to sheff

    C) Mane away to Man U

    1. Tempestic
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      A imo

    2. Gizzachance
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      A if not , get rid !

  8. Gizzachance
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    boly or soy, either will be long term picks
    only 2 per cent difference in owner ship

    1. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Boly for me

      1. Gizzachance
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        cheers

    2. Gizzachance
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      this would be for zinc, has good fixtures, not confident of his gametime

    3. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Definitely Boly.

      1. Gizzachance
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        cheers foo

  9. King Kun Ta
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Pope (Button)
    Mings VVD Ota (Kelly Lundstram)
    Ceballos Salah Mount Sterling (Cantwell)
    Pukki Abraham (C) Auba

    1FT & 1.1 ITB

    A GTG & save
    B Ceballos -> McGinn
    C Mo & Ceballos -> Mane/KDB & Maddison
    D other option

    Thanks lads & GL this GW!

    1. King Kun Ta
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Could really use the help on this one!

    2. Tony Moon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      A

  10. THFC4LIFE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Safe to do Greenwood > Wilson with my ft or wait til tomorrow?

  11. Mr. Mystic
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Repost:
    Worth hitting WC for this?! Or stick?

    Original:
    0.6 ITB
    Pope (Heaton)
    Trent Ota Soy (Lund, Kelly)
    Sterling Salah Kdb Mount Cantwell
    Vardy Abraham (c) (Greenwood)

    New team:
    1.1m ITB
    Pope (MCGOVERN*)
    Trent Ota Soy (Lund, Kelly)
    Sterling MANE* Kdb Mount (Cantwell)
    WILSON Abraham (c) KING

    This allows me to bench Cantwell and enough funds to bring back in Vardy/Salah if/when need be... really appreciate thoughts

  12. New Post
  13. Benteke Fried Chicken
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Pope
    Trent, Ota, Lund (Rico, Aurier)
    Yarma, Mane, Mahrez, Son (Nakama)
    Aguero, Tammy, Pukki

    Son, Pukki > Mount, Wilson (-4) ??

  14. Chasing Waves
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Anything worth taking a hit for?

    Pope
    TAA Ota Soy
    Mahrez Yarmo Siggy Sterling Mount
    Tammy(c) Bam

    Norris Lundy Pieters Greenwood

    Already did Mount in this week, and fell into the Mahrez trap last week. Would really love some feedback all!

  15. Kuro-o
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    any thoughts on Norwich's situation after their defensive forces return from injury?

    Krul 19/10
    Tettey 19/10
    Trybull 19/10
    etc.

    Could they improve their game to be as good as before?

    I feels like Pukki party if they play with their full squad.

    lol

  16. michudagawd
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    What would you do with 1 free transfer? I’m open to taking a hit. No wildcard.

    Pope
    Otamendi Soyuncu Mings
    Salah Cantwell KDB Sterling
    Auba Pukki Abraham

    Button - Lundstram Burn Nakamba

    0.5 itb

    1. dbeck
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I’d save

  17. 2hotty
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Jiminez or King cant afford wilson

  18. Hoof It and Hope
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Is it my poor memory or does it take much longer this season to get the Watchlist updates this season?
    We can’t all wait until 7pm on the Friday.

  19. Hoof It and Hope
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Where is the watchlist?
    Seems to take forever this season?

    1. Hoof It and Hope
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Oops, sorry, my first didn’t seem to post.

  20. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Willems or Soyuncu on WC?

    Willems attacking potential seems greater and Toon fixtures are actually decent as well

    1. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      whats up with Willems minutes? Is he nailed or was that some injuries?

      1. have you seen cyan
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        I was considering Lascelles, sell me Willems 😀

  21. LochineFDC
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Is this a good move please,

    Pukki -> Wilson (7.9)
    Pieters->Kelly (4.1)

    for a 4 pt hit?

    Currently torn between the above and this:

    Pukki -> Connolly
    Guendouzi ->Mount