Team News

FPL Gameweek 2 team news: Injury updates on Werner, Aguero, Pulisic and more

After a quiet day on Thursday in which only the managers of the three newly promoted clubs and Crystal Palace faced the media, there was a lot more activity on Friday.

A total of 13 Premier League managers held pre-match press conferences today, with the headline news below.

Chelsea

Ben Chilwell (heel), Hakim Ziyech (knee) and Christian Pulisic (hamstring) have all failed to recover ahead of the Liverpool match on Sunday, while Thiago Silva is still not match-fit enough.

Timo Werner has recovered from a dead leg, at least, while Mateo Kovacic returns from suspension in the middle of the park.

Frank Lampard told the media:

Ben Chilwell is not ready for the game, and Christian Pulisic is not ready for the game. We’re hope they’re training and progressing over the next week or so.

Hakim Ziyech is also not ready for the game, same story. Timo Werner is fit.

Thiago has been training with us for the last three or four days. We are just working with him on his fitness at the moment, so Liverpool will come too soon for him.

Manchester City

Manchester City look set to be without Aymeric Laporte (match fitness) and Sergio Aguero (knee) on Monday night, although Riyad Mahrez is in contention for a place in the matchday squad after returning to training in midweek.

Pep Guardiola told reporters:

[Aguero] still hasn’t made one training session with us. Riyad came back three or four days ago, he is training. Today is the first day that Aymeric is coming back to us. I think Riyad will be available to go there, Laporte not yet.

Manchester United

should-we-be-planning-for-manchester-united-fpl-attacking-players 5

Phil Jones (knee) and Axel Tuanzebe (foot) are United’s only confirmed injury-related absentees for Saturday’s clash with Crystal Palace but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer did remind us that “some players are at different stages of their training programmes” and said of Luke Shaw and Paul Pogba:

Both Luke [Shaw] and Paul [Pogba] are available for selection – for how long we need them.

Asked about Mason Greenwood, Solskjaer added:

He’s part of the group. With the testing and the COVID protocols, he trained by himself for a little while, we had some tests done, and as soon it was possible, with us. He’s a big part of this group.

New signing Donny van de Beek also got a mention, with his manager saying:

He’s settled in really well. He played well [in a friendly] against Aston Villa so you’re likely to see him, but of course, I’m not going to name the team here today, I’ll have to do that to the boys after training.

Of course, [van de Beek, Fernandes and Pogba] can start together. Then again, you’ve got Scott McTominay, Fred and Nemanja Matic in midfield as well. I’m sure we’ll see them together, I’m not going to tell you if it’s tomorrow or not.

Liverpool

It was all quiet on the injury front at Liverpool, who announced the signing of Thiago Alcantara on Friday.

Jurgen Klopp said of the Reds’ fitness situation:

Intense week, a few little things here and there. In the moment, should be OK. Nobody is coming back and the rest, we have to see. Still two days to go, two training sessions, but for the moment, we seem OK.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (knee) remains out.

Arsenal

Arsenal reported this morning that David Luiz (neck spasm) is “making good progress and back in full training”, following his no-show in Gameweek 1

Calum Chambers (knee), Pablo Mari (ankle), Gabriel Martinelli (knee), Shkodran Mustafi (hamstring), Emile Smith Rowe (shoulder) and Sokratis (calf) remain out, however.

In good news for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang owners, Mikel Arteta also confirmed that the forward remains ahead of Willian in the penalty-taking pecking order.

NEWCASTLE UNITED

Steve Bruce is still without a cluster of players for Sunday’s match against Brighton but Allan Saint-Maximin has shaken off a minor fitness issue and was declared fit by his manager.

Bruce said:

It’s still a bit too early for (Paul) Dummett, [Matty] Longstaff, (Fabian) Schär and (Martin) Dúbravka. Everybody else seems to be OK. We got a clean bill of health from the other night which was refreshing. Allan Saint-Maximin is fine.

Everton

Budget FPL defender Jarrad Branthwaite (ankle) will be unavailable until after the October international break, joining Mason Holgate (toe) on the sidelines ahead of Saturday’s match against West Brom.

Carlo Ancelotti said of the £4.0m-rated youngster and of the Toffees’ overall fitness situation:

He had a problem on his ankle, he is out for at least three to five weeks. He doesn’t need surgery but he has to rest at least one month.

Mason Holgate, no news, he is out. The other players are all fit.

Southampton

As well as batting away questions about Danny Ings‘ future, Ralph Hasenhuttl revealed that Nathan Redmond (ankle) will miss Sunday’s match against Spurs.

Stuart Armstrong (thigh) could be back, at least, with his manager saying:

At the moment we have Reddy [Nathan Redmond] from the game against Brentford with a light ankle ligament injury and isn’t available I don’t think for the weekend.

Stu [Armstrong] was for the first time back out on the pitch today, but if that’s enough to start at the weekend I don’t know. Maybe he will be part of the squad this weekend.

Leicester City

James Maddison made his return from injury as a substitute in Gameweek 1 and both he and Wes Morgan (hamstring) have been in full training this week.

Brendan Rodgers said of the pair:

James and Wes have been training with the squad all week. It’s another week further on for them, so that’s great news.”

He was out for a long time, James. It’s going to be a really, really long season for us. We don’t have to rush anyone back. We’ve got a good squad of players, we’re hoping to add to that.

Certainly, the players we have, we can’t afford to be risking any injury, if they’re not ready, so he’s been progressing really, really well and we’ll assess that over the next 24 hours.

If he doesn’t start, we have a midweek game, and as we know, we’ve got a run of games now which sees us through to Christmas, so there will be plenty of football for all the players.

Ricardo Pereira (ACL) is continuing his rehabilitation but unlikely to be available until “the end of October”.

Rodgers also assuaged any fears that Jamie Vardy was suffering any lingering effects from a fall in the match against West Brom, saying:

It looked a sore one at the time, but he’s training this week and looked sharp.

Burnley

Jack Cork (ankle), Ben Mee (thigh) and Ashley Barnes (groin) remain unavailable for Burnley’s first Premier League match of the new season, having not recovered from the injuries that curtailed their 2019/20 campaigns – although Barnes will play for the under-23s next week.

Johann Berg Gudmundsson (knee) will join them on the sidelines, having been stretchered off in the Clarets’ EFL Cup tie against Sheffield United on Thursday.

James Tarkowski (toe) has a chance of featuring, however, with Sean Dyche saying after full-time against the Blades that his sought-after centre-half would “hopefully” recover in time.

Brighton and Hove Albion

best-of-a-bad-bunch-analysing-the-4-5-midfielders

Graham Potter confirmed that Adam Lallana and Ben White will rejoin team training today after limping off with knocks on Monday.

Brighton will make a late decision on their involvement against Newcastle.

Dale Stephens was forced off in midweek, meanwhile, but we’ve had no update on him as yet.

Aston Villa

Differential FPL XI - High Risk, High Reward 1

Dean Smith confirmed on Friday that new signing Emiliano Martinez was “ready to play” and while stopping short of naming the former Arsenal shot-stopper as his new number one, did say that “you don’t get many opportunities to get a goalkeeper of his calibre at this stage of his career”.

Bjorn Engels (thigh), Wesley (knee) and Tom Heaton (knee) are out.

West Ham United

Mark Noble (toe) and Jack Wilshere (ankle) were the only two names mentioned by David Moyes when asked about injuries, with the West Ham boss saying:

Mark Noble has got a bit of a toe injury and we just didn’t risk him today in training because we want to see how he is. He took an injection in it, so we’ll see how he is tomorrow and hopefully, he’ll be OK.

Jack had a scan on his ankle on Wednesday. He’s got a little bit of bone growth on his ankle which is causing him irritation. He rolled his ankle and felt it, so that’s why we got it checked, but he’s OK and he’s back out training.


More detailed information and predicted line-ups can be found in the Team News tab, which will be refreshed before the Gameweek 2 deadline at 11:00 BST on Saturday.

Keep an eye on our Twitter feed, too, for any late-breaking updates.

A video round-up with Andy and Neale can be viewed below:


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458 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Bart82
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Need help)

    a)
    Meslier (Steer)
    TAA-Robbo-Lamptey(Mitchel-Ferguson)
    Salah-Bruno-Willian-Hames-Hendrick
    Richarlison-Martial

    b)
    Martinez (Steer)
    TAA-Robbo-Lamptey(Mitchel-Ferguson)
    Salah-Bruno-Podence-Hames-Zaha
    Jimenez-Martial

    c)
    Martinez (Steer)
    TAA-Saiss-Lamptey(Mitchel-Ferguson)
    Salah-Bruno-Podence-Hames-Willian
    Werner-Martial

    1. R.C
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

      1. Bart82
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks!

    2. Scout
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A or C.

      1. Bart82
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks!

    3. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      C

      1. Bart82
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks!

  2. FPL Blow-In
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Where to use my fr or save it(original plan)

    Meslier
    Shaw, Dier, Egan
    Auba, Rashford, Havertz, Pereira
    Werner, Martial, Wilson

    McCarthy, James, Soucek, Bertrand

    1ft 0itb. Feel like I am going to bench points also

    1. Scout
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      save the free transfer or upgrade a def. swap dier out?

      1. FPL Blow-In
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Aye considering Dier or Bertrand out but I’d rather wait til I have the funds for Digne I think and Saiss can wait until after this week with Man City up right?

        1. Scout
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          yeah if you want a wolves defender wait till after city.

        2. Scout
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          could do with some help below

  3. Scout
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Need help, repost as got no replies.

    Ryan
    Trent, Shaw, Coady
    Auba, Mane, Bissouma, Sterling, ASM
    Werner, Wilson

    1) Mane,Shaw out for Salah and Justin
    2) Mane,Trent out for salah and robb or VVD
    3) Mane out for Bruno
    4) Wilson, Trent out for martial and Justin
    Any other suggestions?

    1. Del Griffith
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Just do Mane to Bruno, team looks fine

      1. Scout
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        think its ok not to have any Liverpool attack?

        1. Del Griffith
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Well you cant have them all, Bruno has the better fix this week + beyond that and is cheaper than Mane. If you want Pool attack do Auba to Salah next week

          1. Scout
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            I can get martial and salah just means I have to get Justin instead of trent. I can't get bruno and salah

          2. Scout
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Basically do I want martial and salah or do I just have bruno and leave liverpool attack. What do you think?

    2. Hospital Pass
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      This is tricky. The fashionable picks are KDB not Sterling, Salah not Mane. Sterling is explosive so it's hard to be certain he won't start well (scored twice at Molyneux last time, I've read on here his record with Jesus is good), despite Wolves strength, and whilst Salah was stunning last week, last year Mane had much the better away record I believe.

      Whatever you do, I would suggest keeping Trent. His chances of cracking a free kick past Kepa seem rather high.

      ASM/double Newcastle seems the obvious issue to me.

      1. Scout
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Yeah I don't like the double Newcastle but the only way to change that is to downgrade someone. what do you reckon I should do?

      2. Scout
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Do I keep mane? Do I transfer him to salah?
        Do I transfer mane to bruno or do I keep him and get martial?

        1. Hospital Pass
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          I would keep Mane and trust to the away record. It's rational even if it goes wrong.

          If you want Man attack as well as defence I would do Werner>Martial. Very hard to know who will do better over the next few weeks, and that gets you 0.5.

          Podence and Soucek are the most popular midfield downgrade choices. I wouldn't take a hit for either.

          1. Scout
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Im just thinking Man Utd attack have been good since bruno. bruno would be my preferred Man Utd player but is that worth losing a Liverpool mid? Is martial a good enough player to gain me points you know.

            what do you recommend?
            Keep mane and get martial instead of wilson?

            1. Hospital Pass
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              I'd wait for what Noah's Ark has to say. He seems to know your team.

              1. Scout
                • 6 Years
                3 years, 6 months ago

                haha thanks. I'm leaning to salah/,mane, martial and Justin tbh. Just not sure about the martial aspect.

    3. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      @Scout, sorry for the delayed response I got caught up. Have you got any bench? Playing Coady and Bissouma this week should only be a must. Did you make a ft already?

      1. Scout
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        No haven't got a bench. only Mitchell and Leeds def that played. no haven't made a transfer yet. Still debating what to do

        1. FPL Blow-In
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          I wouldn’t transfer any of the players you have mentioned out to be honest. Probably reasses with 2ft gw

          1. Scout
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            you reckon? I'm justing thinking the Man Utd attach asset? Man Utd seemed to improve with bruno there?

            1. FPL Blow-In
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Mane to Bruno/Rashford then if you must. Rashford would give you the chance to upgrade elsewhere at least.

              1. Scout
                • 6 Years
                3 years, 6 months ago

                Bruno would give me the chance to upgrade elsewhere aswell if I got rid of mane.

                I just keep debating about the mane situation. so you reckon bruno in mane out?

              2. Scout
                • 6 Years
                3 years, 6 months ago

                Thanks for your help

  4. Muller Reus Corner
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    As Liverpool are after Diogo Jota, surely this increases the appeal of Podence?

  5. Sharkytect
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Pulisic out for a hit? I have walker peters coming on in his place from the bench.

    And who would you buy? 8.5 or less?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Greenwood

    2. Scout
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Willian?

  6. Maddi Son
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Can't believe I'm asking this but is Jorginho nailed? Can't stretch to 5.5 annoyingly.. and feel Jorginho might be worth the 0.5 more over the likes of Bissouma.

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      No, Jorginho will be dropped soon

      1. Maddi Son
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Ah there we go, cheers

      2. Miguel Sanchez
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Go Soucek if you want a 5.0

        1. Maddi Son
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Think I'm too much of fixtures kinda guy. I like him as an option but can't bring myself to do it with their ugly run coming up.

          1. Sgt Frank Drebin
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Soucek with bad fixtures is better than Jorginho with good fixtures...

            1. Maddi Son
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Yeah true but I didn't know if Jorginho was nailed.

    2. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Kante and Kovacic the main pair.

  7. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    I must say, LFC are doing some real good business. We did not need to overhaul our squad but we are definetely making it stronger 🙂

  8. Scout
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    1)Martial,Mane and 5m def
    2) Martial, salah and Justin
    3)Bruno, wilson and Trent

    1. Muller Reus Corner
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      3

      1. Scout
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks. so you reckon no Liverpool attack?

        1. Muller Reus Corner
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Not the easiest fixtures and Salah tends to do better at home, you can always bring them in later.

          1. Scout
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Fair enough thanks for the advice. What do you think about martial?

  9. Bobby Digital
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Son to Hames worth it?

    1. Luton_Fan
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Same dilemma

  10. WE ARE RANGERS
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    WC Team
    Comments?
    Plan is to take a hit next week and remove Auba and willian for KDB and Mahrez

    Nyland McCarthy
    TAA Digne Ayling Gabriel Lamptey
    Auba Fernandes Willian Rodriguez Smallbone
    Martian DCL Bamford

    1. Hospital Pass
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Gabriel's fixtures turn rotten after this week (so do Willan's, but he could still be interesting).

      Lot of people think Bamford's a bit of his depth in this league, and that does leave double Leeds.

  11. Scotty Dog
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    I 100% would like wolves def coverage this season but currently on vinegar

    1. Scotty Dog
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      any chance saiss price will increase by gw3

      1. Hotdogs for Tea
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        of course there is

  12. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Chances of Ben Davies starting even in GW3?

  13. I SPEAK ENGELS AND DRINK GI…
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    What to do here?

    McCarthy
    TAA-Justin-Davies
    Salah-Bruno-Auba-Soucek
    Adams-Wilson-Werner
    Steer, Saliba, Mitchell, Reed

    0,0ITB

  14. Rossendale Rover
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    All these Auba owners. I’ve transferred him out for Fernandez. Bit worried but do have Willian

    1. Disputatious Dissident
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      That's a mental transfer. You sold the game weeks best captain.

      1. Rossendale Rover
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Yes I realise that now. But that was always the plan to bring Man Utd player in.

  15. only2
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Will there be a spurs presser before deadline tomorrow?

  16. Luton_Fan
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Seriously thinking about son to james for -4?

    A. do it
    B. Dont do it

    Tia 🙂

  17. Offside Trapattoni
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Feeling good about having DCL in my team, and think Digne will also be a keeper longer term.

    James or Richarlison is the dilemma. Toffees overall just good value for the near term.