Team News
26 February 2026 159 comments
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The Gameweek 28 press conferences begin on Thursday, with eight managers scheduled to face the media.

You can find all the big injury updates in this article, which will be refreshed throughout the day.

We should hear from the managers of the other 12 Premier League teams on Friday. You can read the early Gameweek 28 team news from those dozen clubs here.

KEY GAMEWEEK 28 TEAM NEWS FROM THURSDAY

THURSDAY’S PRESS CONFERENCE TIMES

SUNDERLAND

The Black Cats have been hit by some big injury blows this week.

First off, Nordi Mukiele (calf) and Brian Brobbey (groin) will be out for the next 2-4 weeks.

“It will be shorter for Nordi and Brian, between two and four weeks, depending on the way they respond to their treatments and the rehab. Let’s wait a bit.” – Regis Le Bris

Romaine Mundle (hamstring) and Jocelin Ta Bi (ankle) could also face a month or more on the sidelines.

“It might be a difficult injury [for Romaine]. He might be sidelined for a few weeks, a month. We still have some assessments to make but we’ll have a clearer picture soon.

“It’s still early to say if it’s exactly the same [injury he’s had before] but the feeling wasn’t positive.” – Regis Le Bris on Romaine Mundle

“Jocelin might be in the same position as Romaine with a different injury. He might need surgery. A couple of weeks, a month… it’s still a bit early, as well.” – Regis Le Bris

All four of the above players were injured against Fulham last weekend.

Having sat out that defeat to the Cottagers, Dennis Cirkin is also now confirmed as sidelined with a hamstring issue.

Reinildo Mandava (knee) is still unavailable, too, but Bertrand Traore (knee) is at least back after a month out.

“[Dennis] is getting better, like Rei. We miss them but they are getting better. The timeline should be shorter, around ten days, maybe, depending on the last stage of the rehab, as well.” – Regis Le Bris

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

The Spurs injury crisis is abating slightly, with Kevin Danso (toe) and Pedro Porro (hamstring) available again.

Micky van de Ven is also expected to shake off a finger injury to feature at Fulham.

“Yeah, [Danso and Porro are fit]. That’s right.

“No other issues, only small problems for Micky with his small finger but he’s okay, he will be in.” – Igor Tudor

Wilson Odobert (knee), Destiny Udogie (hamstring), Lucas Bergvall (ankle), Ben Davies (ankle), Rodrigo Bentancur (hamstring), Mohammed Kudus (thigh), James Maddison (knee) and Dejan Kulusevski (knee) remain out, however.

“We hope so. In this moment, I don’t know.” – Igor Tudor on whether Dejan Kulusevski will return this season

Cristian Romero also continues to serve a four-match suspension and will not be back till Gameweek 30.

ASTON VILLA

Unai Emery has confirmed that Alysson will train this afternoon and be in the squad for Friday’s trip to Molineux.

Boubacar Kamara (knee), Youri Tielemans (ankle) and John McGinn (knee) remain out, however.

“Alysson is coming back, I think normally he will come back in the squad for tomorrow. In case he’s training this afternoon; we’re going to train this afternoon.

“The other players, with the players we know are out, hopefully they will be available for tomorrow.” – Unai Emery

BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION

Yasin Ayari (shoulder) will have his first full-contact training session today and could be “an option” for the weekend.

“He will have his first training session today. He had some sessions on the pitch without any contact and now he’s able to get in contact with his opponents, with his teammates. Hopefully, everything goes well and then he might be an option for the weekend.” – Fabian Hurzeler on Yasin Ayari

James Milner is fine – he only came off last Saturday with cramp.

“He needs a little bit more recovery time than maybe in former times! He looked sharp again, the last two days on the training pitch. He seems to be totally fit. Therefore, definitely again an option for the weekend.” – Fabian Hurzeler on James Milner

Solly March (knee), sidelined for a lengthy period but back in training for a while now, is pushing for involvement. Albion actually took March to Brentford last weekend but the long-serving winger didn’t make the matchday squad.

“It’s very important that he definitely gets game-time in the right moments. He needs game-time to get back to his highest level but it’s also about timing, it’s about not forcing it. The last week he had a really good training week, he continued this so far this week. Hopefully, he has a good session today, as well. It will be a big session for him, and then he’s getting closer and closer to the squad.

“I took him with the team [to Brentford] because I like having him around the other lads, having him around in this environment, because he’s a very experienced player. He’s a player who has a good knowledge of football, of knowing what it [takes] to win a Premier League game.” – Fabian Hurzeler on Solly March

Matt O’Riley didn’t make last week’s squad, either, but Fabian Hurzeler confirmed that it was a tactical decision, rather than fitness-related.

Unless there are any issues that Hurzeler failed to disclose (it has been known), that leaves only long-term absentees Adam Webster (knee) and Stefanos Tzimas (knee) on the sidelines.

“No, nothing new. No new injury concerns and I think that’s quite positive, to go with this availability of players into the final part of the season.” – Fabian Hurzeler

Lewis Dunk is playing through knee pain but again seems to be available for selection.

“At the moment, what he’s doing I think it’s difficult to describe in words because he’s feeling pain. We know it but he’s suffering for the club. He’s there for us, for the club, for his teammates. And he’s not only there, he’s performing. He’s performing well. I think he’s playing at the minute at his highest level.” – Fabian Hurzeler on Lewis Dunk

LEEDS UNITED

Gabriel Gudmundsson has recovered from the illness that forced him off at half-time of the Aston Villa game last weekend.

“He’s recovered. Good news.” – Daniel Farke on Gabriel Gudmundsson

That means that only Noah Okafor (hamstring) is out for the visit of Manchester City.

“Just Noah is out and will miss this game. All the others are ready, available, in training and in a good mood, and also want to play.” – Daniel Farke

WEST HAM UNITED

Pablo Felipe is expected to miss out again for West Ham’s trip to Liverpool.

The striker has sat out the last three matches in league and cup with a calf issue, with reports suggesting he’ll be out for 4-6 weeks – although Nuno Espirito Santo hasn’t confirmed that timeline.

“He didn’t join us yet. He’s starting his individual programme, so improving day by day. Like I said, we’ll keep assessing him to see when he can return.

“It all depends on him [when he’ll return], depends on how he now adapts to the loads again. Hopefully, soon – we miss him.” – Nuno Espirito Santo on Pablo

Otherwise, it’s the usual knocks and niggles that Nuno has to check on.

“You know how it is, always knocks, things to assess. Training session tomorrow and then we travel.” – Nuno Espirito Santo

On the suspension front, Freddie Potts continues his three-match ban after his straight red card in the FA Cup.

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS

Ladislav Krejci serves a one-match ban after being sent off for two bookable offences last weekend.

Hwang Hee-chan (calf) is back in training but Rob Edwards says the game likely comes too soon for him.

Edwards said striker Tolu Arokodare is “okay to play” despite being subjected to racist abuse on social media this week.

BURNLEY

There was no team news in the broadcast section of Scott Parker’s presser.

However, in the written press section, we did get some updates.

Armando Broja (unspecified) and Axel Tuanzebe (Achilles) look set to remain unavailable for selection, with both a “few weeks” away.

“Axel is probably still a few weeks away. He goes in for another injection, I think tomorrow, so he’s a little bit away.

“Armando’s probably on that same course. He’s just coming out of the back of some injections, so he’s just low level at the moment. He’ll pick up his work, but he’ll be a few weeks away as well.” – Scott Parker, via the Burnley Express

Lyle Foster should be back, however, after missing Gameweek 27 through illness. The bug also affected Kyle Walker, Bashir Humphreys and Lesley Ugochukwu during the matchday.

“Lyle’s trained this week. He’s back up to speed and had a good week’s training, so we’ll see how he is leading into the weekend and whether he’s selected.” – Scott Parker, via the Burnley Express

Of the long-term absentees, Mike Tresor (ankle) and Zeki Amdouni (knee) are back on the grass and closing in on returns but are thought to still be some distance from a recovery.

Josh Cullen (knee), Jordan Beyer (hamstring) and Connor Roberts (Achilles) are still out.


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159 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Brosstan
    • 11 Years
    3 days, 18 hours ago

    Officially numbers are up constantly in terms of FPL managers year by year.

    Am I the only one who feels that engagement from real people is down though?

    I had a big mini league with friends and we were 15 people 6 years ago. Only 5 people this year.. work league also gone from 10 people to 5 over the same period. Its mainly people saying "i dont find watching football fun any more".

    Anyone actually seeing increased FPL activity in their work and friend groups?

    1. Brosstan
      • 11 Years
      3 days, 17 hours ago

      I swear I didn't time this to be a top post..

    2. keefy59
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 days, 17 hours ago

      You're probably right about engaged managers .
      So many give up after a while .
      Strange even when I first started playing I never gave up half way through a season .
      To keep everyone interested in my old works mini league I run a WhatsApp chat which usually starts with a blog from me every gameweek .
      But I get very little conversation or interest .

    3. V-2 Schneiderlin
      • 15 Years
      3 days, 17 hours ago

      Interesting one alright. From my generation our sons and daughters have joined our leagues & are generally dropping out by Christmas! My son at Uni, totally hungover, generally misses the Saturday morning deadline!
      At work we've had much more 'casuals' join up - some are doing well - possibly using websites or sky sports advice (ahem...just like me!)...
      As you said I've also seen friends drop out as it ruins their enjoyment of watching football... So I think you're right - difficult to judge who's actually engaged

    4. Mumfie
      • 4 Years
      3 days, 16 hours ago

      My work league is actually the biggest it’s ever been this year. We also do the F1 Fantasy game, love F1 but the game isn’t that good.

      Even though I’ve found this to be a tough year to gain rank, work mates who normally struggle are having a stellar season. I like this because if the same people win your work league every year, people can’t be bothered.

      This year I’ve watched the least amount of football than I used to. But re-engaged now that Manu look good.

      From my point of view I see a lot of people engaged.

    5. x.jim.x
      • 11 Years
      3 days, 16 hours ago

      FPL is only as entertaining as the league itself, and the Prem is absolutely putrid this year.

      Stagnant possession football, Royal Rumbles on every corner, ludicrous VAR / refereeing, 4 different subscriptions, 8pm kickoffs replacing lunchtimes, £400m transfer windows, financial cheats not being punished, unbearable commentators and pundits, no player / manager personality, rising anti-fan sentiment...

      Not really hard to see why people are falling out of love with the sport.

      1. The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        3 days, 16 hours ago

        Spot on

      2. ebb2sparky
        • 15 Years
        3 days, 16 hours ago

        I'm more than happy watching a dire 1-0 where my team robs the opposition in the last minute. Watching it from the away end is even sweeter.

        1. x.jim.x
          • 11 Years
          3 days, 16 hours ago

          People will always watch their own teams - the Prem's problem is that it's become always unwatchable for the neutral.

          1. ebb2sparky
            • 15 Years
            3 days, 15 hours ago

            In general I still enjoy watching other teams in the prem. I do agree with your comments about the behaviour at corners though and I'm not the biggest fan of VAR. The thing i dislike most about going to watch the football is the number of 'fans' who seem more interested taking selfies or filming than actually watching the game but I guess thats society nowadays.

            1. x.jim.x
              • 11 Years
              3 days, 15 hours ago

              That’s a symptom of the anti-fan sentiment I alluded too - scumbag owners pricing real fans out to replace them with day-trippers who’ll spend a fortune in the club shop.

              1. ebb2sparky
                • 15 Years
                3 days, 15 hours ago

                Last season when we were at home to spurs I bumped into an American guy at the bar at half time. He had paid over £200 for his ticket!! Tbf he was a nice guy and he bought me a beer 🙂

  2. waltzingmatildas
    • 15 Years
    3 days, 18 hours ago

    Which one?
    A) Lacroix to O'Reilly (I'll have enough FTs to deal with 31)
    B) Enzo to Dango (have Thiago)
    C) Roll and play Kayode and Enzo

    1. Count Olaf
      • 1 Year
      3 days, 17 hours ago

      B looks good

  3. Tonyawesome69
    • 7 Years
    3 days, 18 hours ago

    No photos of Wirtz taking part in full team training. Likely doing individual work.

    https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/live-gallery-follow-liverpools-training-session-thursday

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 7 Years
      3 days, 18 hours ago

      Frimpong spotted taking part in the training drills.

      Gomez (RB) and Frimpong (RB/RW) available should push Szobo to midfield and potentially impact Salah's game time

  4. Count Olaf
    • 1 Year
    3 days, 18 hours ago

    Would you do Sarr to Wilson/Dango/Rayan if it meant benching one of Bruno/Semenyo/Rice/Anderson/Haaland/Ekitike/Thiago or just play this front 7 and save the transfer?

    1. waltzingmatildas
      • 15 Years
      3 days, 17 hours ago

      I don't think so

    2. V-2 Schneiderlin
      • 15 Years
      3 days, 17 hours ago

      if its a free transfer and its part of a long-term plan I'd do it - not sure who I'd bench though

  5. thetommy14
    • 5 Years
    3 days, 18 hours ago

    Best Mukiele replacement for 4.4m or below? Thanks

    1. waltzingmatildas
      • 15 Years
      3 days, 18 hours ago

      Hill?

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 7 Years
      3 days, 18 hours ago

      Hill

    3. Count Olaf
      • 1 Year
      3 days, 18 hours ago

      Hill

  6. FPLMACKEM
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 days, 18 hours ago

    Raya
    Virgil, Gabriel, Chalobah,
    Enzo, Bruno, Rice, Anderson, Wilson
    Ekitike, Haaland (c)

    Dubravka, Andersen, Munoz, Guiu
    5ft 1.5 itb

    Chalobah, Enzo and Guiu to Hill, Dango and Thiago?

    Yes
    No

    Or any other suggestions welcome.

    1. Jet5605
      • 11 Years
      3 days, 17 hours ago

      Very solid moves there.

  7. Jet5605
    • 11 Years
    3 days, 18 hours ago

    1 FT and 0.3 ITB.

    A - Enzo to Wilson
    B - Other suggestion?

    Kelleher
    Gabriel - Timber - Andersen
    BrunoF - Cunha - Rice - Enzo
    Haaland - Ekitike - Thiago

    Dub - Munoz - KDH - Gudmund

  8. V-2 Schneiderlin
    • 15 Years
    3 days, 18 hours ago

    Frustrating to own O'Reilly for what seemed like ages only to sell him for double Arsenal defence in GW26 .... 30 points missed

    1. ebb2sparky
      • 15 Years
      3 days, 16 hours ago

      I owned him and guehi. When guehi transferred to city i had to get rid of one. I did not choose wisely 🙁

  9. SIMBOBIANTHEIII
      3 days, 18 hours ago

      Best GK till season end?
      Thanks

      1. DRIZ ✅
        • 14 Years
        3 days, 16 hours ago

        Donna

    • Legohair
      • 9 Years
      3 days, 18 hours ago

      One FT this week
      A. Timber to VVD
      B. Enzo to Dango

      1. DRIZ ✅
        • 14 Years
        3 days, 16 hours ago

        B

    • bso
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 days, 17 hours ago

      What’s with the Odango fever? A flash in the pan? Yeah they have good matchups but is he really so hot?

      1. The Philosopher
        • 5 Years
        3 days, 16 hours ago

        Dango and Rayan fever getting out of hand.

        1. bso
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 days, 16 hours ago

          I think so.

    • The Philosopher
      • 5 Years
      3 days, 17 hours ago

      Apparently it will take humans about 7000 years to travel just to our nearest star system, alpha centauri with our fastest device built so far(parker solar probe).
      The architect is a smart lad. Don't need to do much. Just make the distances absolutely unattainable.

      1. Nomar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        3 days, 15 hours ago

        I know.

        Even if you could travel at the speed of light, it would take you 2.5M light years to get to the nearest neighbouring galaxy, Andromeda.

        Basically the reason why even if there was life on other planets they’d never ever reach us, nor us them. The distance is too far.

        The universe is so unfathomably huge it’s unreal.

    • Obligatory
      • 13 Years
      3 days, 17 hours ago

      Need some advice on who to start/bench - currently on:

      Pickford (Dubravka)

      O'Reilly, Gabriel, Senesi, VVD (Mukiele)

      Rice, Dango, Semenyo(C), Rogers, Mbeumo

      Haaland (J.Pedro, Kroupi)

      It's a tough one really

      1. JJ_PNE
        • 3 Years
        3 days, 12 hours ago

        Setup as you are. Bracketed players benched

    • Make FPL Casual Again
      • 7 Years
      3 days, 17 hours ago

      Some useful info; player, last number of starts, points per start

      Wirtz 5 starts 5.8 pps
      Wirtz 14 starts 5.8 pps

      Dango 5 Starts 4.8 pps
      Dango 16 Starts 5.4 pps

      Rayan 3 starts 6.0 pps

      Wilson 5 Starts 4.8 pps
      Wilson 15 Starts 5.5 pps

    • The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      3 days, 17 hours ago

      Feeling really uninspired atm.. 🙁

      A: Timber to VVD
      B: Timber to O’Reilly
      C: Cunha to Boomo
      D: DCL to Sesko

      I think I’m favouring A or D currently, more than one move would require a hit.

      1. Hairy Potter
        • 10 Years
        3 days, 16 hours ago

        A

        1. The Bandit
          • 15 Years
          3 days, 15 hours ago

          Thanks

    • cescpistols1
      • 10 Years
      3 days, 17 hours ago

      Good to go for GW28?

      Dubravka
      Gabriel Virgil Hill
      Bruno Semenyo Rogers Wilson
      Haaland (c) J.Pedro Thiago

      Raya Rice Richards Rodon

      1. After Supper Ghost Stories
        • 7 Years
        3 days, 8 hours ago

        Yep although I quite fancy Rice to deliver this week more than Rogers

    • ebb2sparky
      • 15 Years
      3 days, 17 hours ago

      I have 7 blanking in gw31 so only have one spare transfer between now and then. Would you use it to do either of the following this week or just save in case of any injuries or suspensions?
      A) Guehi to O'Reilly
      B) Pedro to Thiago

      1. The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        3 days, 16 hours ago

        A brings in another blanker, so can’t see the point

        1. ebb2sparky
          • 15 Years
          3 days, 16 hours ago

          Neither option is a net benefit for gw31 but I have enough transfers to fix that.

      2. Yank Revolution
        • 14 Years
        3 days, 16 hours ago

        B prolly...

      3. Hibbopotamus
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 days, 11 hours ago

        I think B will probably be worth it

      4. After Supper Ghost Stories
        • 7 Years
        3 days, 8 hours ago

        I wouldn't do A....B is OK... I've got 3 City players but I'm holding off decision about transferring any out until after Newcastle FA Cup match result.

    • LeytonOrient
      • 11 Years
      3 days, 17 hours ago

      Very torn, what is the correct move?

      A) Timber > Virgil
      B) JP > Thiago
      C) A + B (2FT)
      D) C + Enzo > Wilson/Dango (-4)

      1. TheBiffas
        • 5 Years
        3 days, 16 hours ago

        A

      2. JJ_PNE
        • 3 Years
        3 days, 12 hours ago

        C

      3. Hibbopotamus
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 days, 11 hours ago

        B

    • PGR
      • 14 Years
      3 days, 17 hours ago

      Bowen to Thiago worth a FT?

      1. JJ_PNE
        • 3 Years
        3 days, 12 hours ago

        Yeah. West Hams fixtures ain't the best

      2. After Supper Ghost Stories
        • 7 Years
        3 days, 8 hours ago

        Yes

    • JJ_PNE
      • 3 Years
      3 days, 13 hours ago

      Who to start this week?
      A. Joao Pedro
      B. Cash
      C. Gibbs-White.

      Other 2 benched in which order?

      1. After Supper Ghost Stories
        • 7 Years
        3 days, 8 hours ago

        I've gone JP just in case he delivers as got 2 Arsenal defenders... if Arsenal concede JP high chance of being involved

    • Hibbopotamus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 days, 12 hours ago

      Wirtz being out would kill my plan this week. Which of these would you do if he's not passed fit? I'm around 650k now so I'd *prefer* some relatively lower EO guys.

      1.8m ITB, 2 FTs

      Roefs (Dubravka)
      Gabriel, Timber, Andersen (Alderete, Richards)
      Bruno (c), Mbeumo, Rogers, Rice, Enzo
      Haaland, Thiago (Guiu)

      A. Enzo > Dango
      B. Enzo + Rice > Dango + Wilson (or Rayan?)
      C. Enzo + Rice + Guiu > Ekitike + Dango + Stach (-4, benching Stach)
      D. Enzo + Roefs > Dango + Alisson
      E. Enzo + Richards > Dango + VVD

      1. After Supper Ghost Stories
        • 7 Years
        3 days, 8 hours ago

        B looks good... Wilson good pick until gw32 when fixtures change

    • After Supper Ghost Stories
      • 7 Years
      3 days, 9 hours ago

      Who to play please.

      Guehi (Leeds) or
      Cash (Wolves)

      Thanks

      1. JJ_PNE
        • 3 Years
        2 days, 20 hours ago

        Ive got both and i've gone for Guehi.