Team News

FPL Team News and Injury Round-up: Gameweek 22

There were a busier-than-usual two days of press conferences to wade through ahead of Gameweek 22, with some Premier League clubs counting the cost a frantic festive period but many others welcoming back some big names.

Paul Pogba (knock) was one of the countless Fantasy assets with a “yellow flag” attached to their name in Fantasy Premier League but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer delivered positive news on that front in his press conference on Thursday night:

He looked okay towards the end [of the training camp], so he’ll be fit. He did have some problems but he came through the last couple of sessions well, so he should be okay.

Chris Smalling (foot) could also feature against Spurs on Sunday after returning to training but Marcos Rojo has been sent back to Argentina as he recuperates from an unspecified injury.

There was no update forthcoming on Alexis Sanchez (hamstring), however.

Spurs will make late a fitness check on Lucas Moura (knee) for that encounter, while Jan Vertonghen (thigh) is back in training and may come into contention.

Across Manchester, Pep Guardiola provided an update on the availability of Sergio Aguero (illness) and Vincent Kompany (unspecified injury):

Sergio, right after the game against Liverpool, was sick. He’s a little bit better. Yesterday was his first training session. So he’s getting better but was out the last few days.

Vincent is recovering well. The rest I think, they are fit.

Chelsea welcomed back Olivier Giroud, Pedro and Willian in midweek and may also have Alvaro Morata (hamstring) available for the visit of Newcastle, with Maurizio Sarri reporting that the player has returned to training and will be assessed ahead of Saturday.

Sarri also had plenty to say on a number of his other players, including Callum Hudson-Odoi and Andreas Christensen:

I am really happy with [Hudson-Odoi], the player is improving a lot in the defensive phase. Now he needs to improve in some movements without the ball but he is working very well at the moment.

I don’t know [if Christensen can play] tomorrow because he played two matches in three days for the first time this season, like Callum. Callum recovered very well from the first match, yesterday he was a little bit tired.

The Blues’ opponents at Stamford Bridge have a number of availability issues, with Jonjo Shelvey (thigh) and Paul Dummett (hamstring) injured, Kenedy ineligible and Ki Sung-yueng away on international duty.

Arsenal’s injury picture looks rosier for their match against West Ham, with Unai Emery providing the following update:

This week they are working with us with: Mustafi, Monreal and Bellerin. We need to do tomorrow the last training before the match against West Ham. Mesut Ozil is training with us. Also training the last ten days, Dinos Mavropanos.

The Hammers will be without Fabian Balbuena (knee) for six to eight weeks but gave the all-clear to Marko Arnautovic (back).

The Austrian has been the focus of much transfer speculation this week, however, with West Ham moved to issue a statement regarding their standpoint on the supposedly wantaway striker:

Marko Arnautovic has a contract and we fully expect him to honour it. He is not for sale.

Dejan Lovren (hamstring) has been ruled out until Gameweek 24 and despite Joel Matip‘s (collarbone) return to training, Jurgen Klopp talked up the prospect of Fabinho featuring at centre-half for the trip to Brighton:

If Fabinho has to play at centre-half, he has played there before. We do that on the training pitch. If you are a holding six at centre-half, with the ball it’s easier, without the ball it’s different. We try to make it not more complicated than it is.

The Seagulls will be without Bernardo (hamstring) and Jose Izquierdo (knee).

Ryan Fraser (hamstring), Josh King (illness) and Callum Wilson (hamstring) all face late fitness tests ahead of the match against Everton on Sunday, though Fraser was sighted in training on Wednesday and boss Eddie Howe said all three were “certainly up for playing”.

Nuno Espirito Santo and Marco Silva didn’t report any fresh injury concerns in their press conferences, while Roy Hodgson also has a clean bill of health now that Christian Benteke has returned to full training.

The Palace boss was still doubtful about whether the Belgian would feature, however:

Yes I guess he is [available], but obviously he’s short of match practice and the sharpness you get from playing. It would be a risk putting him in to some extent but he’s come through training very well so there’s no reason to write him off.

Sebastian Prodl is Watford’s only confirmed absentee for that fixture at Selhurst Park.

Jonny Evans‘ broken toe will keep him out of Leicester’s clash with Southampton, who have serious problems up front with Danny Ings (hamstring), Michael Obafemi (tendon) and Charlie Austin (suspended) all unavailable.

Johann Berg Gudmundsson (thigh) is a doubt for Burnley’s match against Fulham, who look set to have Alfie Mawson (knee) unavailable.

Victor Camarasa (knock), Danny Ward (cheekbone) and Kadeem Harris (shoulder) are among the players Neil Warnock needs to assess ahead of the visit of Huddersfield Town, who may have Tommy Smith back from a hamstring injury.

Our regular injury video round-up can be viewed below, while our Team News tab will have more detailed write-ups on all 20 Premier League sides.

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512 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Zero
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Handy article, thanks!

  2. mdm
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Siggy or Richa?

    1. Maddamotha
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Rich

    2. Typo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Both?

    3. Long ball Larry
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Rich

    4. WVA
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Rich

    5. MASTER ROSHI
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Richarlison

  3. Play Pal
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Who to bench from this lot?

    A) TAA (playing Alison and Robertson)
    B) AWB
    C) Fraser

    1. Finnish Fish
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      In that case maybe trent. But id still bench AWB

    2. MartyScurll
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      B

      Definitely not A.

    3. Long ball Larry
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Awb

    4. WVA
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      What's the point in having triple pool defense if your not going to play them all?

      1. Play Pal
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Brighton strong home record making me consider hedging my bets

    5. fenixri
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Fraser

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

    Is having just Guaita with Speroni for back up too risky?

    1. Finnish Fish
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      imo not. Guaita has been really good.

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

      probably - imagine Hennessey is second choice

      1. Sickboy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks guys, I’m banking on him retaining his spot given he was bought in the summer and Hennessey has had some er ‘issues’.

    3. WVA
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah pointless as Hennessy is second choice

  5. Finnish Fish
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Thoughts on this? I know its like really top heavy.. who would you downgrade/upgrade?

    Guaita/Button
    WB/TAA/Digne
    Camarasa/Raheem/Sane/Salah(C)/Pogs
    Auba/Firminho

    Subs: Cedric/Kamara/MattyDoch

    Cheers!

  6. Dannywaz
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Doherty or kamara

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Kamara just

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Kamara

    3. Finnish Fish
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Kam

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

      Yeah finking Same could sneak a goal lol

    5. MASTER ROSHI
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Kamara

  7. Evil Greg
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Bench:

    A: Jimenez
    B: Pogba
    C: Wan Bissaka
    D: Trippier

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      C

    2. Finnish Fish
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      C

    3. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Jim

      1. Evil Greg
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Rare cleanie for city then?

    4. Evil Greg
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Thank you muchly

    5. WVA
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Jim

      1. Evil Greg
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Jimenez not on for his customary 5 points then. Interesting.

    6. Mighty Wings
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Jim

      1. Evil Greg
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Jim it is then

  8. C'mon the Fylde
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Any last minute suggestions for my team?

    Etheridge
    Pereira Digne TAA D.Luiz Lovren
    Pogba Son Salah(c)
    Mitrovic Kane

    Patricio, Snodgrass, Fraser, Jiminez

    1.5m itb

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Lovren unlikely to play so would put Fraser in there

      1. Finnish Fish
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        this

        1. C'mon the Fylde
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          I had a notification to say Fraser was suffering with a hamstring?

          1. Park the bus
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            if injury doubts, start who you think will get most points

          2. WVA
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            Read the article, back in training

  9. Claudio555
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Billing (car) or Shaw (tot)?

    1. Udo
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Billing

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

      Shaw

    3. WVA
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Shaw

  10. MartyScurll
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Sterling & Son -> Salah & Richy for free?

    Feels like a sensible one, but also feels like I'm going to regret it

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Nope, atleast not this week

      1. MartyScurll
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers

  11. janowsc
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Who to play for Ings this week...Kamara, Doherty, Torreira? Got a FT but would like to save, cheers all and good luck tomorrow!

    1. Park the bus
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Kamara

  12. Park the bus
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Camarasa or AWB first sub?

    1. janowsc
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Cam

  13. MASTER ROSHI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Not sure which 2 to fill these gaps?
    Rico Fab
    Robbo Pereira Digne Doherty AWB
    Salah Haz Richa Pereyra *****
    Kane Jimi *****

    A) FAnderson and Ings
    B) Pogba and Kamara
    C) Camarasa and Arnie
    D) Camarasa and Rashford

    My current team is with A, but I'm very tempted by C and D as I don't really have any bench only players and I would be able to free up some funds, Thanks!!

    1. Park the bus
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      D

    2. coriswrasse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      B

  14. Evil Greg
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Another one. Play:

    A: Guaita
    B: Lloris

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      A

      1. Evil Greg
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah I was leaning that way.

    2. MASTER ROSHI
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      A

  15. Tinmen
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Folks, is it worth -4 to swap

    Delph Lingard and Auba to
    TAA Salah and Deeney

    2FT. Any other suggestions folks? 1.0 mill itb

    Fab
    Robbo WanB Digne
    Son Haz Lingard Snoddy
    Kane Auba Rash
    Hamer Hoijberg Bednarek Delph

  16. Caesar Salahd
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    I need some help with my team

    1. Caesar Salahd
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I need some help with my team 🙂 I got 2ft and 0.0 itb

      Pat,
      AWB, Robertson, Digne, Kola
      Salah(c), Hazard, Son, Lingard
      Kane, Rash

      Subs: Hamer, Doherty, Ings*, Hojberg*

      A) Son, Lingard to Pogba, Richarlison and play 4-4-2 (im first in my league and the others below me have Pogba and not Son)
      B) Son, Lingard, Ings to Pogba, Richarlison & Barnes (-4) and play 3-4-3
      C) Something else?

      1. MASTER ROSHI
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        A

      2. Ohh1454
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Not sure about getting rid of son this week but probably A if u wanted to fund richy another way you could do pat > Guaita

        1. Caesar Salahd
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Yeah its risky. Is Guaita a guaranteed starter?

      3. AVFCChris1984
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Too early to worry about blocking your ML rivals, who do you think will score the most points this week, I think it'll be close between both options so I would keep son for this GW

        1. Caesar Salahd
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Yeah same feelings. I think I might only get Guaita and Richarlison and do Son to Pogba next week.

  17. Abusive_Sgt_Daelrhos
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Hey lads, should I do Auba to Kun as a two week punt? Cheers

    Fab,Rui
    Alonso,Robbo,Digne,WB,Bennett
    Sane,Pogba,Martial,Rich,Billing
    Kane,Auba,Jimenez

    1. Caesar Salahd
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Think you should keep Auba, he might get some goals against the Hammers

  18. Aseel
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Patricio, Foster
    TAA, Robertson, Digne, AWB, Doherty
    Salah, Hazard, Pogba, Richarlison, Hojbjerg
    Jimenez, Kane, Ings

    I have 2 FTs (0,4 in the bank)
    Fairly happy with my team but don't wanna burn one of the FTs so what do you think I should do?
    I wanna keep Ings for his fixtures when he returns.
    Patricio > Etheridge? Hojbjerg > Camarasa?

    1. Ohh1454
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Probably Patricio > Ed ridge as you own doh

      1. Aseel
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah that's what I was thinking!
        Wolves' defence double up is a no-no now..
        Thanks

  19. Ohh1454
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Play Doherty or Schindler?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Schindler

    2. Do I Not Like Orange
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Doherty, will concede but always in with a chance of an assist. Schindler is a waste of space.

      1. joeydelucchi
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Doherty

      2. Ohh1454
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Ya been trying to ship him but some other transfer gets in the way

        1. Do I Not Like Orange
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Tell me about it. After last week he sits 3rd on my bench until WC.

  20. The Strokes
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Salah and Deulofeu or Mane and Sane ?
    Thanks !

    1. joeydelucchi
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Mane and sane out of these but I would try and get Salah another way

  21. coriswrasse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Play one. Jimenez, Wan-B or Kamara.

    1. Sandy Ravage
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Wan Bizzle

    2. janowsc
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Jim

  22. KINGVIZO
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    HI All

    Please advise... I have two transfers and currently 400,000 (worst season in a while)!!

    Any help or advise would be much appreciated....

    FAB // BUTTON
    TAA // KOLASINAC // DOHERTY // BENNETT // LINDELOF
    SALAH (C) // HAZARD // LINGARD // RICHARLISON // MURPHY
    KANE // RASHFORD // SOLANKE

    2.0M ITB

    THANKS....

    1. joeydelucchi
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Downgrade fab to guaita and upgrade kola to pereira?
      Ling to sane?

    2. coriswrasse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Lindelof > Bednarek
      Lingard > ??

      Get those Lins out

      1. KINGVIZO
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks both - I'm slightly worried not owning Pogba. was thinking simple JLINGS-POGBA

        Although the Bednarek ideas looks good as well..... Food for thought!!

  23. fenixri
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Am I gtg? Bench order ok?

    Fab
    Alonso Taa Digne Awb
    Haz(c) Pogba Rich
    Auba Kane Rash

    Bench:Speroni, Fraser, Doherty, Gibbs-White

    1. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Yes. We almost got the same teams...think I might regret benching AWB but I don't see who else I can leave out.

  24. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    G2G?

    Fabianski
    Digne Luiz TAA
    Hazard (C) Pogba Anderson Rich
    Auba Kane Rashford

    Bench: AWB Kolasinac Gunnarsson

  25. joeydelucchi
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    On WC

    Is this too light in defence?

    Wb matip (will become Gomez)Taa bednarek bennett
    Salah sane Pogba rich puncheon
    Arnie Kane auba

    1. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Looks decent. Would downgrade puncheon. Your never gonna play him anyway

      1. joeydelucchi
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Can’t downgrade him..he’s 4.2m 🙂

      2. Park the bus
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        can you downgrade Puncheon?!

    2. KINGVIZO
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      strong team - looks good for next 4-6 weeks as well!!

      I think Mane could come good soon - I'm really tempted by him - I think a brace, hat trick is coming soon!

  26. FC Hakkebøf
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Really struggling between Haz (C) and Salah (C)

    1. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I might go with Kane(c) over them both

    2. sirmorbach
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      So am I. I'm leaning towards Mo though.

    3. janowsc
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Salah baby, all will be in the points thought I think

    4. joeydelucchi
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Salah...Benitez will stop haz IMO

  27. Woody01
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    A) Auba and Camarasa
    B) Mitro and Sané

    Etheridge
    Robbo / Digne / AWB / TAA
    Hazard (C) / Salah / Richarlison / Pogba / ???
    ???

    Patricio / Jimenez / Doherty / Kamara

    1. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      A

  28. THFC4LIFE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Son > Richarlison for free or wait til next week?

    1. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Not the worst week to do it. Not the best either.

    2. AVFCChris1984
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Wait

  29. sirmorbach
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    I hate to insist, but not only I don't know what to do, I got mixed responses ending up in a draw lol

    Would you rather have
    A. Firmino and Richarlison or
    B. Auba and Camarasa?

    I'm leaning towards A, but I'd love to hear your thoughts.

    For the record, here's my team upfront:

    Salah / Hazard / Sané / Fraser / *

    * / Rashford / Jimenez

    1. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      B just because of the benching headache with A

      1. sirmorbach
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Food for thought. Cheers, mate.

    2. joeydelucchi
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Yea no brainer
      Why look for an 8th player, accumulate your money and get the best player you can get so either auba or sterling or aguero , but you already have city cover so auba is a good shout

  30. La vida FPL
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Start Brooks (eve) or Jimenez (wol)?

    1. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Brooks