FPL team news: Gameweek 18 injury updates ahead of Saturday’s deadline

We’ve got the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) team news information in our first press conference summary ahead of Gameweek 18.

Only four pre-match pressers took place on Thursday, involving the managers of Brentford, Burnley, Leeds United and Southampton.

The Brentford v Southampton game was subsequently postponed, however.

For much more detailed information, check out our gradually updated Predicted Line-ups page and Injuries and Bans feed ahead of Saturday’s FPL deadline at 13:30 GMT.

BURNLEY

Ashley Barnes remains absent with a thigh injury, with Maxwel Cornet‘s similar issue described as “still touch and go” in regards to making Saturday’s trip to Aston Villa; the fact that he hadn’t trained as of Thursday wouldn’t seem to bode well for his Gameweek 18 chances.

Dale Stephens and Connor Roberts are still recovering from their respective illnesses, while another unnamed Clarets player has tested positive for Covid-19.

“It is only one and we think we have removed him from the situation very quickly” – Sean Dyche on how many positive Covid tests are amongst his playing squad

LEEDS UNITED

All Marcelo Bielsa had to say on injuries is that Jamie Shackleton (Achilles) and Daniel James (muscle) have been added to the list of Patrick Bamford (hamstring), Kalvin Phillips (hamstring), Rodrigo (heel), Liam Cooper (hamstring) and Pascal Struijk (knee).

Robin Koch is ready to play for the first time since Gameweek 1 after recovering from a pelvic injury and illness. However, Junior Firpo will be suspended on Saturday, having picked up his fifth booking of the season.

BRENTFORD AND SOUTHAMPTON

Not that it matters now for Gameweek 18 but Thomas Frank revealed on Thursday that Ivan Toney (Covid) and Ethan Pinnock (Covid) are available for selection again. Sergi Canos is free of suspension, too.

Frank went on to reveal that another 13 of his players and staff have tested positive for Covid-19, which ultimately resulted in the postponement of Saturday’s game.

The Bees are still without David Raya (knee), Kristoffer Ajer (hamstring), Mathias ‘Zanka’ Jorgensen (thigh) and Josh Dasilva (hip).

Saints would have been without Che Adams (hamstring), Fraser Forster (hamstring), Alex McCarthy (hamstring), Stuart Armstrong (calf) and Adam Armstrong (calf) for the clash in west London.