Team News
2 December 2025 545 comments
FPL Marc FPL Marc
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Having the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) deadline of Gameweek 14 on a Tuesday means a very busy day of press conferences is coming, and we’ve gathered the team news talking points here.

Seven top-flight managers faced the media on Monday, with key quotes from the rest below. But there’s a high chance that Thursday night boss Ruben Amorim won’t speak.

Keep checking back throughout the afternoon for more updates.

KEY GAMEWEEK 14 INJURY UPDATES FROM TUESDAY

  • Crystal Palace: Sarr will miss at least the next two matches
  • Brentford: No mention of Igor Thiago after late treatment
  • Arsenal: A matter of days for Saliba and Trossard, but weeks for Havertz and Gabriel
  • Chelsea: Palmer could start, but Caicedo begins three-match ban
  • Liverpool: Bradley aiming for Gameweek 15, Isak cramp, Salah can play Gameweek 16 before AFCON
  • Brighton and Hove Albion: “Hope” that Rutter and Mitoma can be available
  • West Ham United: No Paqueta due to suspension
  • Aston Villa: Barkley absent for eight to 12 weeks
  • Leeds United: Stach back, but James has a hamstring injury
  • Wolverhampton Wanderers: Krejci to miss a second match
  • Sunderland: Being elbowed won’t keep Sadiki out
  • Burnley: Nothing new, just the same long-term absentees

PRESS CONFERENCE TIMES


CRYSTAL PALACE

In bad news for many FPL managers, Oliver Glasner has confirmed that Ismaila Sarr picked up an ankle ligament injury at the weekend.

Further assessments will determine whether he’ll feature for Senegal at the African Cup of Nations (AFCON).

“Ismaïla Sarr is out for this game. Honestly, it doesn’t look too bad, but he will definitely miss both games this week. There are some issues with his ankle ligaments. They are not completely torn, but there are some issues with the ankle very swollen. But we are still hopeful, and I know our medical department, how hard they are working.

“We have hope that he could return before AFCON, but we have to do further assessments and of course have to see how the next days are going for him.” – Oliver Glasner

Borna Sosa (knock) could be back for Gameweek 15, while Cheick Doucoure (knee) and Caleb Kporha (back) have been absent all season.

BRENTFORD

11-goal Igor Thiago received treatment before a late substitution on Saturday, but Keith Andrews didn’t mention him by name. Is that good news for owners, or just a head coach choosing not to reveal much?

“We’ve got a couple of bits and bobs that we’ll have to decide on but, in the main, we’re in a good place.” – Keith Andrews

We already know that Fabio CarvalhoAntoni Milambo and Josh Dasilva have knee injuries. The first two are almost certainly out for the whole campaign.

On loan from Arsenal, Reiss Nelson is ineligible to face his parent club. Not that he’s featured much for Brentford.

ARSENAL

Speaking of both the Gunners and managers with notoriously vague words, it sounds like both William Saliba (knock) and Leandro Trossard (knock) are aiming for the weekend, rather than Wednesday night.

“I am not going to be able to help you much today because we have another training session.

“He had a little niggle, but I think it’s going to be a matter of days.” – Mikel Arteta on William Saliba

When asked about Kai Havertz (knee) and Gabriel Magalhaes (knee), he said it would be “a matter of weeks.”

“Yeah, so he was doing everything, he could not go to the next level. We are all desperate to have him.He’s a player I love so much for what he brings to the team. I see him suffer. I think it’s going to be a massive boost for the team (when he’s back).” – Mikel Arteta on Kai Havertz

But at least the 1-1 draw at Chelsea saw Viktor Gyokeres come on for a cameo, as Gabriel Jesus made the bench.

CHELSEA

After it was announced that Cole Palmer would be back for that match, the England international stayed on the Blues’ bench.

Enzo Maresca says this is because being reduced to 10 men didn’t suit Palmer, and he could instead potentially start at Leeds United.

“He [Palmer] is available. He was on the bench last game. With ten players, it was more complicated for Cole because he needs to come back in terms of fitness condition. He can start the game. The idea is to start giving him minutes until he can play 90 minutes.” – Enzo Maresca

Of course, Moises Caicedo is why they were one man down. He begins a three-match suspension.

Fellow midfielder Dario Essugo (thigh) has been building up match fitness but “has to slow down for a bit”. Still out are Romeo Lavia (quad), Levi Colwill (knee) and Mykhailo Mudryk (suspended).

Another start for often-hurt Reece James isn’t expected.

LIVERPOOL

Arne Slot spoke nice and early about the Conor Bradley (muscle) and Jeremie Frimpong (hamstring) injury situations.

“Conor [Bradley] got into a team training session yesterday for the first time. Not everything 100% yet so we have to manage that so don’t get hopes up too soon. We expect the same with Jeremie [Frimpong] next week. Unfortunately we play a lot of games, so he’ll miss a few. Hopefully Conor is available for Leeds.” – Arne Slot

Stefan Bajcetic (hamstring), Jayden Danns (hamstring) and Giovanni Leoni (ACL) remain sidelined.

Meanwhile, Slot mentioned that Alexander Isak felt a bit of cramp late on against West Ham United. This week, the minutes of him, Florian Wirtz and Joe Gomez need careful management.

“I don’t think they can play three times 90 in a week. Now I have to wait to see if they can be involved from the start on Wednesday. All three can feature in all the three games.” – Arne Slot on Isak, Wirtz and Gomez

The Dutchman also praised Mohamed Salah’s positive attitude when being an unused substitute at the London Stadium, before confirming that he’ll leave for AFCON on December 15 – making him available for Gameweek 16, at home to Brighton and Hove Albion.

BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION

Fabian Hurzeler is uncertain if Georginio Rutter (head) can play, having been taken off against Nottingham Forest.

“We hope that he’s [Rutter] available tomorrow. It was not a concussion but, of course, you have to follow the procedure because we have to take care of the player’s health.” – Fabian Hurzeler

Of the rest, Kaoru Mitoma (ankle) could return. Nothing was said about James Milner (muscle), though Solly March (knee) and Adam Webster (knee) are still sidelined.

“Kaoru Mitoma was in training yesterday so he will train today and then we have to make a decision if he’s an option for the squad. But he’s definitely really close.” – Fabian Hurzeler

WEST HAM UNITED

Lucas Paqueta returned from suspension in Gameweek 13, only to then receive a red card against Liverpool. He won’t face Manchester United.

“I spoke to Lucas [Paqueta], and he spoke not only with me but with all his teammates. First of all he apologised. He’s aware of his mistake but we as a club, first and foremost protect our own and solve things among ourselves.

“So we move on, Lucas will be out of the game against Man Utd but he will be involved in the next one.” – Nuno Espirito Santo

As for Crysencio Summerville (knock), the trip to Old Trafford will likely come too soon.

“I don’t think so, unfortunately. We’ll assess him, but for Thursday, I think it’s going to be too soon.” – Nuno Espirito Santo on Crysencio Summerville

Neither Lukasz Fabianski (back) nor Oliver Scarles (shoulder) are quite ready.

ASTON VILLA

Ross Barkley sprained his knee at the weekend and is expected to miss between eight and 12 weeks.

Similarly, Tyrone Mings (hamstring) isn’t close to coming back.

“Out tomorrow are Tyrone Mings and Ross Barkley. I don’t know exactly how long Ross Barkley is out for – maybe eight, 10 or 12 weeks. Maybe a little less. It’s a pity because we were now getting a good performance with him and he was progressively so close to getting in the starting team.” – Unai Emery

LEEDS UNITED

While Anton Stach (concussion) is available again, a newly injured Daniel James may need hamstring surgery.

“As it stands, it looks like he could do it in a conservative way, but [even that] way, he will probably miss the next eight weeks. So we have to expect that he’s out for two months at least. It could be worse with surgery, but we hope just eight weeks.” – Daniel Farke on Daniel James

He joins Sean Longstaff (calf) on the sidelines, who has to miss four to six weeks.

Goalkeeper Karl Darlow (adductor) and Sebastiaan Bornauw (knee) should be fine.

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS

Having missed Sunday due to a knock, Ladislav Krejci probably won’t feature here either.

“Yeah, he was out on the grass today. He didn’t train with the group – I don’t think he’ll be ready for tomorrow – but he was out there doing some running. So, we’re hoping he’s not far away.” – Rob Edwards on Ladislav Krejci

Matt Doherty (knee) might be named in Wednesday’s matchday squad, but Rodrigo Gomes (groin), Leon Chiwome (knee) and Dan Bentley (ankle) won’t.

SUNDERLAND

Noah Sadiki had to suffer being an elbowing from Bournemouth’s Lewis Cook, but is fine for the trip to Anfield.

Dennis Cirkin (wrist), Leo Hjelde (Achilles) and Aji Alese (shoulder) are lacking match fitness after being sidelined. Habib Diarra (groin) still needs more time.

BURNLEY

Apart from long-term absentees Jordan Beyer (hamstring), Connor Roberts (Achilles) and Zeki Amdouni (knee), the Clarets’ treatment room is empty.

“No injury concerns, other than the ones that are maybe a bit more long-term. But other than that, everyone’s fit and well.” – Scott Parker


MANCHESTER UNITED

We won’t hear from Ruben Amorim before this evening’s deadline, but Matheus Cunha (head) has been pictured in training after missing two matches.

Yet Benjamin Sesko (knee) and Harry Maguire (hamstring) still can’t play.


defensive contributions

FPL Marc Broadcaster, writer and overthinker. Hoping that ‘differential potential’ will catch on.

545 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. simong1
    • 7 Years
    6 months, 1 day ago

    A or B?

    A) VDV & Reijnders > Timber & Rice
    B) VDV & Reijnders > N. Williams & Bruno Fernandes

    1. Freshy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      6 months, 1 day ago

      ARS for me

    2. Jet5605
      • 11 Years
      6 months, 1 day ago

      A

    3. Funkyav
      • 16 Years
      6 months, 1 day ago

      B

  2. Tmel
    • 15 Years
    6 months, 1 day ago

    Which one to bench this week in my draft team?

    a) Lacroix (bur) - already have Munoz playing
    b) Livramento (TOT)
    c) Wirtz (SUN)
    d) Evanilson (EVE)

    1. Freshy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      6 months, 1 day ago

      B

    2. Sloopy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 months, 1 day ago

      B

  3. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 16 Years
    6 months, 1 day ago

    sarr and reijnders > rice and dewsbury hall?

    1. z13
      • 1 Year
      6 months, 1 day ago

      Yes

    2. Freshy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      6 months, 1 day ago

      like Rice
      dewsbury hall not so much
      Got Minteh?

    3. Sloopy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 months, 1 day ago

      good

  4. z13
    • 1 Year
    6 months, 1 day ago

    Bruno or Mbeumo? Simple question, no team included so it's a pure decision

    1. Bobby Crush
      • 11 Years
      6 months, 1 day ago

      Mbu

    2. Better off with a pin and a…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 months, 1 day ago

      If you're buying now, surely Bruno with Mbeumo off to Afcon. If the question is who to captain? Head says Bruno, heart says Mbuemo.

    3. Sloopy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 months, 1 day ago

      Bruno for me

    4. Jet5605
      • 11 Years
      6 months, 1 day ago

      Defo Bruno with Boom offski soon

    5. Eightball
      • 5 Years
      6 months, 1 day ago

      Bruno, he is only 0.5m more now, has loads of routes to points and will keep ticking over during the christmas period. Especially as you are only getting a couple of games from Boomo before he is off to AFCON.

  5. tiger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    6 months, 1 day ago

    Who is risking Bruno captain over Haaland this week?

    1. el polako
      • 8 Years
      6 months, 1 day ago

      I think I will.
      Last game of the week and short window before next gw so even if it goes wrong the suffering window will be marginal 🙂

      1. tiger
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        6 months, 1 day ago

        Good reasoning, I might do it too 😀

    2. Sloopy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 months, 1 day ago

      Yep!

  6. Stranger Mings
    • 5 Years
    6 months, 1 day ago

    Sarr to minteh or is there a better short term pick? Thanks

    1. Freshy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      6 months, 1 day ago

      Looks good tummy

      1. Stranger Mings
        • 5 Years
        6 months, 1 day ago

        Cheets freshy

  7. riot
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    6 months, 1 day ago

    Anyone else on Mount? might be my captain

    1. Freshy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      6 months, 1 day ago

      nein

    2. z13
      • 1 Year
      6 months, 1 day ago

      Literally nobody

      1. riot
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        6 months, 1 day ago

        excellent capping then

  8. Athletic Nasherbo
    • 9 Years
    6 months, 1 day ago

    Wildcarding next gameweek or the one after. What to do, completely stuck - 1FT, 0ITB

    Donnarumma
    Timber Cucurella Munoz
    Gakpo Semenyo Cunha* Minteh
    Haaland Mateta Bowen

    Valdimarsson Rutter* Rodon Acheampong

    No idea on captaincy either, want to go Mateta but I’ve been scared he will be benched…

  9. Jet5605
    • 11 Years
    6 months, 1 day ago

    Think I can scrape together a starting 11 with Gudmundson on the bench.

    A - Pope > Verbruggen
    B - Roll and do Sarr & Mateta > Foden & Thiago (if fit) in GW15

    Pope
    Timber - Virgil - Andersen
    Semenyo - Enzo - Gakpo - Mbeumo
    Haaland - Mateta - Wolte

    Dubravka - Gudmund - Sarr - Senesi

    1. DBry
        6 months, 1 day ago

        Isn’t Pope out for weeks

        1. Jet5605
          • 11 Years
          6 months, 1 day ago

          Dunno. I have Dubravka on the bench or is Pope worth ditching now?

          1. DBry
              6 months, 1 day ago

              Just check Dubs fixtures when Verbs has Ars and Liv

          2. Freshy
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 15 Years
            6 months, 1 day ago

            Thought Ramsdale looked good

            1. Bobby Crush
              • 11 Years
              6 months, 1 day ago

              He never does

      • DBry
          6 months, 1 day ago

          Semenyo and Senesi to Timber and Minteh now.

          Gives me the money to do Mbeumo to Bruno tonight before the price rises.

          1. el polako
            • 8 Years
            6 months, 1 day ago

            Solid

          2. z13
            • 1 Year
            6 months, 1 day ago

            I wouldn't sell Semenyo

            1. DBry
                6 months, 1 day ago

                My mid is
                Saka, Semenyo, meneumo, szoboz and King atm.

                Semenyo my only source to upgrade Senesi.
                Semenyo will need to go to fund the 0.5 for Bruno in the future most likely

          3. ididnt
            • 14 Years
            6 months, 1 day ago

            Which move for free.

            A. Senesi > Munoz
            B. Senesi > Timber (have Raya)
            C. Semenyo > Bruno

            1. DBry
                6 months, 1 day ago

                B

                Keep Semenyo this week

            2. Atimis
              • 9 Years
              6 months, 1 day ago

              FPL Olympian (c) Bruno, not sure what to do now, afraid of his curse lol...

            3. Count of Monte Hristo
              • 13 Years
              6 months, 1 day ago

              Anyone deviating from Haaland (c)?

              1. riot
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 15 Years
                6 months, 1 day ago

                Mount

              2. Bobby Crush
                • 11 Years
                6 months, 1 day ago

                Maybe.
                Not sold on saka though.
                West Ham are poor, but so is united.
                Who to pick then?

                1. riot
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 15 Years
                  6 months, 1 day ago

                  Arsenal def could be viable

              3. nico05
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 7 Years
                6 months, 1 day ago

                Yes. Bruno

            4. Nightf0x
              • 10 Years
              6 months, 1 day ago

              Alison
              Trufert cala richards oreily (renidlo)
              Saka gakpo mbeumo neto (buendia)
              Haland mateta (thiago)

              Which ? 2 ft

              A) roll ft, g2g
              B) trufert buendia to hincapie 4.4mid. (or) guehi king/4.7mid.
              C) buendia to anderson, bench trufert

              1. nico05
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 7 Years
                6 months, 1 day ago

                A

            5. Baberto
              • 11 Years
              6 months, 1 day ago

              Bench 2 Rogers, Minteh and Welbeck. Also got Doku, Eze and Calafiori. Any leaks that they start?

            6. tbos83
              • 5 Years
              6 months, 1 day ago

              Ok think I'm settled on this fh

              Sels
              Timber Munoz Virgil
              Anderson Saka Fernandes(c) Rice Semenyo
              Mateta Haaland

              1. nico05
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 7 Years
                6 months, 1 day ago

                Looks good. Also like the C choice I'm going the same way

            7. DBry
                6 months, 1 day ago

                Downgrade Saka to Rice
                Or
                Semenyo to Minteh

                1. nico05
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 7 Years
                  6 months, 1 day ago

                  The latter mate - Saka has been unlucky lately imo

              • Nightcrawler
                • 7 Years
                6 months, 1 day ago

                A) get Nico as 4th defender on 4-4-2

                B) Get anderson as 5th mid on 3-5-2

                C) stick with andersen (ful) on 4-4-2, save FT

                1. DBry
                    6 months, 1 day ago

                    B

                  • nico05
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 7 Years
                    6 months, 1 day ago

                    B

                2. rozzo
                  • 12 Years
                  6 months, 1 day ago

                  Start Tarkowski or Van der Ven?

                  I have Semenyo and no Newcastle

                  1. DBry
                      6 months, 1 day ago

                      A

                    • nico05
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 7 Years
                      6 months, 1 day ago

                      Tarkowski

                  2. Aaa
                    • 11 Years
                    6 months, 1 day ago

                    Start:

                    A - Richards
                    B - Oreilly

                    1 - Anderson
                    2 - Enzo

                    Verbruggen
                    Timber/VVD/*
                    Saka/Semenyo/Bruno G/*
                    Haaland/Mateta

                    1. Aaa
                      • 11 Years
                      6 months, 1 day ago

                      Wolte is other striker

                    2. DBry
                        6 months, 1 day ago

                        B2

                    3. nico05
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 7 Years
                      6 months, 1 day ago

                      Which one to bench please:

                      A. Anderson (v Wolves)
                      B. Thiago (v Arsenal)
                      C. Enzo (v Leeds)

                      1. DBry
                          6 months, 1 day ago

                          B

                        • Kane Train
                          • 11 Years
                          6 months, 1 day ago

                          B

                          1. nico05
                            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                            • 7 Years
                            6 months, 1 day ago

                            Thanks guys

                      2. liboo
                        • 8 Years
                        6 months, 1 day ago

                        Rejinders or Sar to Neto

                        Is worthy -4

                        Yay or Nay ???!!!

                      3. Nightf0x
                        • 10 Years
                        6 months, 1 day ago

                        Alison
                        Trufert cala richards oreily (renidlo)
                        Saka gakpo mbeumo neto (buendia)
                        Haland mateta (thiago)

                        Which ? 2 ft

                        A) roll ft, g2g
                        B) trufert buendia to hincapie 4.4mid. (or) guehi king/4.7mid.

                      4. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
                        • 9 Years
                        6 months, 1 day ago

                        GTG? Semenyo (C) too punty?

                        Petrovic
                        Muñoz O'Reilly Richards
                        Saka Bruno Mbeumo Foden Semenyo(C)
                        Haaland Mateta

                        Dubravka Alderete Senesi* Obi

                      5. Jafooli
                        • 14 Years
                        6 months, 1 day ago

                        This 5 x FT jammy haul can't come soon enough...

                      6. DBry
                          6 months, 1 day ago

                          Need some funds

                          Downgrade Saka to Rice
                          Or
                          Semenyo to Minteh

                          1. AC/DC AFC
                            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                            • 10 Years
                            6 months, 1 day ago

                            Probably the former...

                            Any of them can haul in any week

                        • AC/DC AFC
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • 10 Years
                          6 months, 1 day ago

                          Would you punt on H Barnes or BrunoG for this Gw only?

                          1. nico05
                            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                            • 7 Years
                            6 months, 1 day ago

                            Barnes-much better upside imo

                            1. AC/DC AFC
                              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                              • 10 Years
                              6 months, 1 day ago

                              Reckon he starts though?

                          2. DBry
                              6 months, 1 day ago

                              I like Bruno

                            • Count of Monte Hristo
                              • 13 Years
                              6 months, 1 day ago

                              Barnes comfortably

                          3. Eric Banternaaa
                            • 12 Years
                            6 months, 1 day ago

                            Raya
                            VVD / Andersen / James
                            Saka / Semenyo / Ndiaye / Mbuembo / Doku
                            Haaland / / Mateta

                            Dubravka / Thiago / Alderte / Senesi

                            Senesi suspended is a right killer. Currently have Andersen (City H) or Alderte (Liv A)

                            Thinking Anderson > 4.5 defender. Best replacement?

                          4. MOZIL
                            • 9 Years
                            6 months, 1 day ago

                            Minteh, Rice, or -4 to go Cuhan or mbeumo?

                            1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
                              • 9 Years
                              6 months, 1 day ago

                              Rice

                            2. mrpink32
                              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                              • 11 Years
                              6 months, 1 day ago

                              Months or rice. Wouldn’t take -4 to get those others above

                          5. mrpink32
                            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                            • 11 Years
                            6 months, 1 day ago

                            Eze to Minteh or gakpo -4?

                            Y or N. On my bench is DCL and Gudmusnsson….

                            1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
                              • 9 Years
                              6 months, 1 day ago

                              N