Team News

The latest FPL injury updates and team news

There is an earlier-than-usual Gameweek deadline of 19:00 BST on Friday this week, so with that in mind we are again bringing you up to speed on everything we know so far on the team news and injury front.

There were ten Premier League manager press conferences that took place on Thursday, with the remaining pressers to follow tomorrow.

The headline news from today was Marco Silva’s revelation that Lucas Digne (hamstring) is “available” for Everton’s Gameweek 3 curtain-raiser against Aston Villa.

The Everton boss said on Thursday:

He will be available to the match. Leighton (Baines) will be also. Just Fabian (Delph) out.

On when Fabian Delph (groin) might be back, Silva added:

It’s possible next week. He’s already started with the team, not full session. Will be a possibility for him to play a full match or during the two matches we have to play next week.

Asked if any of his new signings would feature on Friday,

Djibril [Sidibe] did all pre-season with his former club. Ready to play if I decide. Of course, now it’s just a matter of him understanding our ideas and philosophy.

[Alex Iwobi] started really late, just now his second week working with the team. Didn’t do the pre-season. If we need him during the game, he is able to help us. Of course, not [lasting] the 90 minutes.

[Moise Kean] is trying to settle as fast as he can. Working with him, not just on the pitch but outside the pitch, for him to understand what I want from a player in that position. If he will start or not, that’s for me to decide tomorrow.

Villa will welcome back reserve centre-half Kortney Hause (ankle) for this match, with Dean Smith saying:

Kortney Hause is back. I think there’s only James Chester that’s missing and not been on the training ground. Jonathan Kodjia is jogging now but this game will be too early for him.

Smith was also asked about his raft of new signings and replied:

Some of them have got in earlier than others, some are waiting their turn. You have to earn the right to play. You’ve got to prove that you’re better than the players who have already got the shirt.

John McGinn was namechecked by the Villa boss when asked about his side’s goal threat, with Smith saying:

I think our most likely goalscorer at the moment is John McGinn, he’s made some really deep runs into the opposition half.

Unai Emery teased the prospect of a start for Nicolas Pepe against Liverpool, saying:

The most important thing is, like a person, to help him and his family to feel comfortable here. He is now three weeks working here with us. He didn’t do with us the pre-season but he’s progressively feeling better.

Fifteen minutes in Newcastle, 45 minutes against Burnley. I think he is progressively getting better performances and feeling better. I think for Saturday, he is ready also, maybe, to have more minutes. I am going to decide tomorrow.

Mesut Ozil (illness/personal) and Granit Xhaka (leg/back) are back in full training but Emery said he would make a late call on the pair’s involvement at Anfield:

Tomorrow is the last training and we are going to decide tomorrow. Today they trained, but really, I need tomorrow to have the last training, to be really sure how we can be better there.

Ben Chilwell (hip) looks set to miss out for Leicester City this weekend, with Brendan Rodgers providing the following update:

Ben has had an injection last week. He’ll join in the training. We’ll see how he is for the weekend, but more than likely going to be ready for next week.

Rodgers was asked about Ayoze Perez‘s role on the right flank and replied:

He’s played there a lot at Newcastle. He can play from outside, he can play inside, his instinct is to be in the box. With players, whether they’re central or wide, they always end up in there.

Chris Wilder had mixed news on the injury front at Sheffield United, saying:

We’ve got a doubt about John Fleck for the weekend but Callum Robinson has trained this week so he’ll be OK. We’ll give John as much time as possible.

Luke [Freeman] plays a number of positions, Ben Osborn plays a number of positions, Basham does, Lundstram does. That gives us the ability to cover injuries, suspensions and loss of form.

Roy Hodgson confirmed that James Tomkins (groin) and Mamadou Sakho (match fitness) remain out but could hand a debut to Gary Cahill, saying:

Any place is a good place to give an experienced and good player like Gary Cahill his debut but at the moment I haven’t fully decided what our team line-up should be.

Manuel Pellegrini reported a clean bill of health other than Winston Reid (knee/match fitness), meaning that Mark Noble (dead leg), Felipe Anderson (thigh) and Sebastien Haller (knock) are all fit and available for the trip to Watford.

The Hornets have been dealt a blow with Javi Gracia revealing that captain Troy Deeney will be out for an extended period after undergoing knee surgery.

Gracia said:

We have a problem with Troy. He had surgery this morning with a problem with his knee. I think he will be about at least two months. We’ll see his evolution.

Roberto Pereyra (thigh) and Abdoulaye Doucoure (ankle) are also doubts, with the Watford head coach adding:

They are not training and we’ll see if in the next days some of them can be available or not. But in this moment they are doubtful.

Asked if Ismaila Sarr and Danny Welbeck could feature, Gracia said:

Now both are training with the team. They are not in the best condition but most important in this moment is that they can help us. I’m sure they cannot play all the minutes, but they can help us in the next performance.

I think Sarr is a player who in this moment needs more training but from the first training session, you can see his qualities. I think he’s a good winger, sharp. I’m sure he will give us a good option. It will depend on the squad, the other players, but from now I think he can help us.

[Welbeck] needs more time to train and to recover his best condition but we’ll see [if he plays]. There are many circumstances can modify my opinion if he is better to start this game or the next one.

Ralph Hasenhuttl and Graham Potter reported no new fitness concerns ahead of Southampton’s trip to Brighton.

Asked about Leandro Trossard’s debut performance in Gameweek 2, the Brighton boss said:

He was a little bit unlucky not to start against Watford, Jurgen’s a bit unlucky not to start against West Ham. Both have done really well. You can see his (Trossard’s) quality in terms of how he linked the game.


You can view a video round-up or listen to the podcast summary of today’s pressers below, while the Team News tab will be updated over the coming 24 hours ahead of Friday’s deadline.

A further article will follow tomorrow afternoon rounding up the details of Friday’s press conferences.


Lessons learned from Gameweek 2

1,430 Comments Post a Comment
  1. TomSaints
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    City defender (probably Walker) + Pope or Ederson and 4.5m defender?

    1. Rust Cohle
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A

    2. yakirh
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Good question, most will say Pope+Walker, but we're getting to a stage where Pep roulette is imminent (2-3 gws from now)
      Can see Cancelo and Mendy getting into the team at some point
      But you can always sell Walker to Mendy/Cancelo later on.. so might work out well

      1. TomSaints
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        That’s my exact issue.

        6.1 for keeper seems bad, but will play every game. A single missed game and clean sheet is huge...

    3. My heart goes Salalalalah
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Ederson

      1. My heart goes Salalalalah
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        No sorry. Read it wrong. Pope set and forget

  2. danlynch13
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    A) Barnes
    B) Keane

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

      Play or sign?

      1. danlynch13
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Sign on wc

  3. bigdip
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    All, Help pls!

    Do I need to do any other changes or save 1 FT (0.5 ITB)?

    Ryan (Button)
    TAA Van Djik Digne Zinchenko Lundstram
    Martial (c) Sterling Salah Trossard (Dendoncker)
    Jota Deulofeu (King)

  4. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Who's going no Spurs or no United and why?

    1. SHOWSTOPPERRR
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      No utd attack gng to pick Martial by doing target Robinson Perez out

    2. Rust Cohle
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      No Spurs here. Haven’t been impressed. Son is likely the only one that I will be interested in and given the wealth of options in midfield, it’s just not worth the risk at the moment.

    3. yakirh
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I have 2 Utd and 1 Spurs, this is a good time to own them, they have good fixtures.

      1. Tsparkes10
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        I agree. V good fixtures and easy to switch out

    4. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      No united because I don't want any of them. Maybe later.

    5. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      No UTD as overated when looking at last season.

      No Spurs as rotation other than Kane on the cards.

    6. Ze_Austin
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      No Spurs or Arsenal here. Waiting to see Son or Pepe start and impress. Not interested in anybody else in both clubs, mostly due to price. Don't get me wrong, they are rightly priced. I prefer underpriced assets to go with the spine of Salah, Sterling, TAA and Digne for squad balance, and I feel Pepe and Son could make a mockery of their prices as captaincy options when they resume starting regularly. Man U and Chelsea, though, have so much potential value as flat-track bullies if any player becomes nailed. Martial and Rash have somewhat proven this (started the season with Martial). Taken a leap of faith with Mount as well from the Norwich game

    7. I Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Not going with any of them because I don't have unlimited transfers and De Bruyne was the priority.

    8. Greasy Grealish Gang
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Over here. I had little faith in Man U so I started without any of them. Kane too expensive and Son wasn't available yet. I have my eyes in Son but on KdB and Mané as well. Decisions, decisions..

  5. SHOWSTOPPERRR
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Cantwell or dendo?

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

      Dendocker

    2. Lecky Legs FC
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Cantwell

    3. Budweiser
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Cantwell every day of the week

    4. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Dendo just.

      Put off by Cantwell doing nothing in the championship and Dendo has decent PL record and is playing further forward now and has at least a few 3 pointers in his bag.

      Cantwell may have bigger upside.

  6. james 101
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Bottomed!

    On a WC.

    Digne or Mina?

    Mina looks great and Digne is carrying that knock.

    May end up doubling up in time, but question is for now / the next few weeks.

    1. bigdip
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      digne imo

      1. james 101
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Thanks

    2. Budweiser
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Digne

      1. james 101
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Thanks man

    3. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      See previous Digne

      1. james 101
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Cheers. Saw it!

    4. Maddi Son
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Can the extra 0.5 significantly improve another player? Both solid options but Digne is FPL gold.

      1. james 101
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        It could. But a player who wouldn’t play often I hope!

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

      Digne

      1. james 101
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Cheers MS

    6. Rust Cohle
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Double. Now while it’s still a differential.

      1. Rust Cohle
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        But Digne if I could only have one.

        1. james 101
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Cool. thanks

  7. Wood1
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Hey guys would be very grateful for some wc help

    Pope / Button
    dunk / awb / soyuncu / lundstram / ***
    sterling / kdb / martial / **** / ***
    Kane / Pukki / ***

    a) Walker, Mount, Firmino (cantwell) playing a 343 or
    b) Mane, Mount, (kelly) (Wickham) playing a 352 or
    c) Maguire Mane (cantwell) (wickham) playing a 442

    Which do you prefer?
    thanks alot

  8. Knallie
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Ryan Button
    TAA Zinchenko AWB Coleman Lundstram
    Salah Sterling KDB Martial Cantwell
    Pukki King Greenwood

    Want Digne for Coleman:
    A) King -> playing 6.0 or below striker and play 4-4-2 or 4-5-1/5-4-1 (my preferred option, most flexible)
    B) King -> 4.5 fodder, upgrade Cantwell (Mount/Perez) and always play 4-5-1/5-4-1
    B) AWB -> KWP?
    C) Keep Coleman

  9. Budweiser
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Would you double up on Everton defence over Man Utds?

    1. Rust Cohle
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Yes, if I’m doubling on one of those defenses, I prefer Everton. Recent history, plus better service on corners and set pieces.

    2. DAZZ
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Could be a great differential option.

  10. Lecky Legs FC
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Not wildcarding yet but stacked my 2 FT's so far making changes this weekend who to bring in for my squad:

    A) Auba & Adams > Laca & Pukki (bank 0.6)

    B) Auba,Adams & Norwood > Bernard,Pukki & Rashford (-4)

    C) Auba & Adams > & Aguero & Long (go 4-4-2)

    Foster
    Boly Coleman Robbo
    Norwood Moura Sterling Salah (©)
    Auba King

    Subs:Button,Adams, Dendoncker & Kelly

    Any feedback and suggestions are welcomed as always.

  11. Captain_Shirokov
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Pope - 4m
    TAA - Laporte - Digne - Montoya - Lundstram
    Sterling - Mane - KBD - Martial - Dendoncker
    Pukki - Jota - Greenwood

    Good enough wildcard team?

  12. Fernando Torres
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Pope
    AWB Soyunchu Dunk
    Martial Mane KDB Sterling Ceballos
    Kane Pukki

    Subs:4m, Lund, Pieters, Wickham

    0.3ITB.

    Any way of getting Digne in?

    1. Budweiser
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I guess not. Good team

      1. Budweiser
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Only way is Mane to Son. Granted its risky but I think Son can match him in the next 10 GWs

    2. PrettyDick
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Maybe:
      Pieters --> Kelly
      Ceballos -- > Dendoncker / Cantwell
      Söyuncu / Dunk --> Digne

      1. Fernando Torres
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Yh I have been considering this, not sure if it's an Improvement

  13. PrettyDick
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    A) Mane + Rashford
    B) Son + Firmino

    (Have Martial, but no Salah)

    1. Alli In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I prefer A as I wouldn't like to be without Mane and Salah

    2. Rust Cohle
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      B. because no Salah and I’m not gung-ho on United attack yet. Need to see how they do against a low block before doubling up.

  14. Hazardous1983
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    How is this wc team. Any suggestions

    Pope (button)
    Vvd awb zinchenko digne (lundstram)
    Sterling salah kdb martial (dendoncker)
    Pukki jota (greenwood)

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Very template . No spurs could be risky ....have you but the button ?

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Hit the button

      2. Hazardous1983
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Who from spurs??? Iv hit the wildcard button yep

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

      Similar team to mine bar defence.

      1. Hazardous1983
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Risk without robbo and taa

  15. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Couple of quick Aussie wickets, this Test is getting interesting.

  16. Rolls-Royce
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Good stuff to hear as a McGinn owner.

    1. Rust Cohle
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      What’s that

  17. Sloths
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Feel like I'm walking a knife edge with no Man City. Any advice?

    Pope/Heaton
    Digne,AWB,VVD,/Lundstrum,Kelly
    McGinn,Mane,Martial,Salah,Buendia
    Kane,Pukki/Greenwood

    Generally 3,5,2 Formation

    1. TomSaints
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Mane and Salah is overkill. One to Sterling or KDB surely?

      1. Sloths
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Yeah i think its the right play but i think i'll wait a week and save the four points. On 169 atm

  18. Alli In
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Last WC decision

    A Kane, Ceballos, Kelly
    B Rashford, Martial, Montoya

    (Kelly/Montoya will be benched)

    Thanks for your views

    1. TomSaints
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      So tough.

      I’m on Son over Kane so I can have Rashford and Martial. But Kane is the sensible choice

      1. Alli In
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Thanks. I think I'll be struggling with this one right up to deadline.

  19. S.Kuqi
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Still early days but which 4.5 def looks best option atm?

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

      I like Montoya

    2. Sloths
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      O'Connell (SHU) is on my radar

    3. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Lundstram is the best option at or below £4.5m.

      But of the pure £4.5m then I would say Montoya

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

      Dunk. Bonus points.

  20. willieprunier
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Who to bench?

    Cantwell or Lundstram

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

      Cant

  21. TomSaints
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    TAA and Walker

    Or

    Laporte and VVD

    1. jaywills
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Taa and Laporte

    2. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      TAA and VVD. No better double up.

  22. Stimps
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Play Robinson or Lundstram?

    1. TurboTastic!
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I have both and going to start Robinson. He's playing as a striker. I feel it's his turn this gw rather then lundstram.

  23. NorwichCityLad
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Is Sanchez from spurs a good pick with there fixtures looking good?

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

      Not sure what the Vertonghen situation is.

      1. NorwichCityLad
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        If he’s going to start would he be?

  24. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Transfers made, first -4 taken πŸ˜€

    How’s she looking now?

    Pope
    AWB Digne VvD Zinchenko
    Perez Martial Salah KDB
    Pukki Kane

    4.0 Lundstram Dendoncker Wickham

    1. DAZZ
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Looks good, a bit Sterlingless though

      1. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        I know, unfortunately I can’t have it all.

        Most likely will sell Salah for Sterling (c) next GW

    2. S.Kuqi
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Looks really good to me. Probably better than My wildcard team

    3. El Matador
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Sterling?

    4. Blame it on Traore
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Would get Mane over Salah. Think he'll outscore him this season

  25. El Matador
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    A) Kane Cantwell Zinchenko
    B) Barnes Son KWP

    Thinking long term and not just the next couple of fixtures. Which combination scores more? I am swaying towards B.

    1. Greasy Grealish Gang
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      B it is

    2. Blame it on Traore
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A

  26. Zenith UK
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Fill the blanks please;

    Pope
    Digne, AWB, Zinc, Lund, Kelly
    Sterling, KDB, XXX, Ceballos, Mane
    Kane

    McGovern, Kelly, XXX, Wickham

    A) Martial & Greenwood - (0 ITB)
    B) Cantwell & Pukki - (0.9 ITB)

    1. Aadii
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Try Trossard

      1. Zenith UK
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Trossard and...?

  27. SHOWSTOPPERRR
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Would you do target Robinson Perez to get Martial in and to avoid Perez Robinson price drops?kelly and cantwell/dendo the enablers...salah sterling trossard the other mids

    1. SHOWSTOPPERRR
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      -4

  28. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Giving FPL Twitter a go as I’m bored, and inspired by Flapjack! πŸ˜†

    Don’t know how much I’ll use it, but will post some musing and thoughts on bandwagons, transfers etc on there too - followed welcome! (I may return the favour πŸ˜‰ )

    Find me here: https://twitter.com/fpl_toplad/status/1164574480800342019?s=21

  29. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Jofra Archer has another wicket. Aussies 139-5

    1. badgerboy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Unstoppable force this lad.

  30. NestorC
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Fancy Trossard will start this week?

    1. Aadii
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      First person on the scoresheet

      1. NestorC
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Hope so. Just got him, only rotation concerns me a bit, even he played great last week.

    2. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Absolutely. Darkhorse this season and at 6m for now could be a steal.

      1. NestorC
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Cheers mate. I think so, if he continues to play something like last week.

    3. Blame it on Traore
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I think so. Hard to tell in light of Potter's press conference

      1. NestorC
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Yeah, his comments confused me