Team News

Gameweek 8 team news and injury updates: De Bruyne ruled out

After some low-key injury bulletins in Thursday’s press conferences, there were some more headline-grabbing updates on Friday.

Pep Guardiola ruled Kevin De Bruyne (groin) out of Sunday’s visit of Wolverhampton Wanderers, although the medium-term prognosis for the Belgian looks more positive.

Guardiola said of De Bruyne:

No, tomorrow is not fit. After the international break, he will be ready. It’s not a big, big problem.

The City boss also confirmed that John Stones (thigh) could be in line for a return after the resumption of play in a fortnight’s time.

Diogo Jota (toe) is a doubt for that match, with Nuno Espirito Santo saying earlier today:

He is not 100 per cent. He still has some issues. Hopefully, he will be with us soon. It is a matter of time. First is to take away the pain that he is still suffering every time he tries to run, he still has some pain.

He is not stopped, he is active, he does a lot of exercises, a lot of cardio, so we try to manage, put again the routine of the training session. If it is soon, better, because we are a very short squad so every player is important.

City’s title rivals Liverpool could be boosted by the return of Alisson (calf) this weekend, meanwhile.

Speaking on Friday, Jurgen Klopp said:

With Alisson it’s still maybe, maybe not! Yesterday he trained with the team [for the first time]. Goalie sessions are often more intense than the proper football sessions. Looked really good, we will see.

It’s different with goalkeepers [re: “rushing” players back]. The good thing, Adrian did that well, we don’t feel pressure, we don’t have to rush it – but we don’t. He’s training already for ten days.

The Liverpool boss also confirmed that Joel Matip (knock) will be sidelined for the visit of Leicester City, saying:

Joel looks good but is not ready for tomorrow. Shaq, not. Clyney, not. That’s it pretty much. After the international break they are all back on track [apart from Clyne].

Daniel Farke gave a now-customary lengthy injury update ahead of Norwich’s clash with Villa, with Todd Cantwell‘s hamstring injury the stand-out concern from a Fantasy perspective.

Speaking on Friday, Farke said:

There is a little doubt, a little question mark behind Todd Cantwell. He’s got some hamstring problems. He was out Wednesday and Thursday, returned back today on the training pitch, it looked alright. We have to wait a bit, how his body reacts. I hope to have him available for tomorrow.

On the rest of Norwich’s walking wounded, Farke said:

For this game tomorrow, all the [long-term] players who were injured, there’s no chance for them to return.

Ralf Fahrmann is not capable to play. Tim Krul is also not able to play, so for that Michael McGovern will start tomorrow.

Grant Hanley will be out tomorrow. He was alright for two weeks but since Wednesday he felt again some problems. He will need to see a specialist to find out what the reasons [are].

Sam Byram is struggling a bit, since two weeks, with his ankle, it was one of the reasons we didn’t start him at Crystal Palace. During this week he felt it even more. But he will be with us tomorrow in the squad.

[Jamal Lewis] will be with us and has a good chance to play tomorrow. It’s just ligament damage, so nothing broken. With tape or whatever, we’ll find some solutions for him to be on the pitch. He will be available for tomorrow.

Ben Godfrey (hernia) is available but will undergo surgery during the international break and is a doubt for the Bournemouth match, but Onel Hernandez (knee) – a positional rival to Cantwell – is close to a return to training.

Manchester United could well be without Paul Pogba (ankle), Anthony Martial (thigh), Luke Shaw (hamstring) and Aaron Wan-Bissaka (tonsillitis) for the trip to Newcastle.

When asked whether any of his sidelined players could return on Sunday, Solskjaer said:

I don’t know. Let’s see on Saturday morning. Probably not.

Asked specifically about whether Pogba could face the Magpies, the Norwegian added:

Probably not, there’s an international break as well, it might be time for us to give him 10 or 14 days extra to be ready for Liverpool.

Mauricio Pochettino hinted at possible rotation when Tottenham Hotspur take on Brighton tomorrow.

The Spurs boss said:

Some players that play two games, was a tough game playing one hour with ten men [v Southampton], maybe some players are going to rest for tomorrow.

Asked about who would replace the suspended Serge Aurier, Pochettino said:

A few options, I think Moussa [Sissoko] was very good playing one hour against Southampton with tough players like Boufal and Redmond. He did very well and that made me think a little bit that his option is bigger than maybe another player.

There were no real injury updates in Frank Lampard’s very brief press conference, at least not in the broadcast section.

The Chelsea boss said of N’Golo Kante‘s fitness:

That’s something we’ll have to watch over the next 24, 48 hours to make sure he’s still on a semi-recovery, as they all are, from the trip to Lille. He hasn’t played much, obviously. In terms of the injury, he’s fine.

The Blues take on Southampton this weekend, who will be without Cedric Soares (calf) and Moussa Djenepo (muscle).

Roy Hodgson confirmed that Mamadou Sakho (muscle) is his only injury-related absentee for Crystal Palace’s trip to West Ham, although Luka Milivojevic serves a one-match ban after collecting five yellow cards.

Eddie Howe said of Bournemouth’s injury situation:

There’s a whole group of players that aren’t far away now, so excited to possibly get them close to returning after the international break. But they’re not ready for this game.

Howe didn’t provide any specific update on Ryan Fraser (illness) in the broadcast section of his press conference but said of Bournemouth’s overall fitness situation:

Touch wood, I think we’re OK.

Chris Mepham (calf) has since withdrawn from the Wales squad, however.

Asked about Diego Rico, Howe responded:

I’ve been very impressed in recent weeks, I think he’s had a decisive say in a lot of games if you look at the assists that he’s made for the team. His corners and free-kicks in recent games have been really valuable for us.

He’s grown into the position, he’s growing in confidence all the time. The challenge for him is to maintain that progression and if he does, with his qualities, he’s going to be an important player for us.

Isaac Hayden begins a three-match ban for Newcastle, while Matt Ritchie (ankle) and Florian Lejeune (knee) remain out.

The Magpies are otherwise looking in decent shape for the visit of Manchester United, however, with Jonjo Shelvey (hamstring), Dwight Gayle (calf) and Jetro Willems (knee) back in contention.

We have yet to hear from Unai Emery today following Arsenal’s win over Standard Liege but Alexandre Lacazette (ankle) is expected to remain sidelined.


For a round-up of yesterday’s eight press conferences, click here.

Predicted line-ups and more detailed information can be found in the Team News tab, which is being updated this afternoon.

You can view a video round-up or listen to the podcast summary of Gameweek 8’s press conferences below:

 

Lessons Learned from Gameweek 7

701 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Arx
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Pieters (EVE), Digne (bur), Lundstram (wat), Cantwell (AVL)

    Need to play three. Currently benching Digne. But what's the point of a 6 mil defender if I don't play him at Burnley?

    1. KunDogan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Play Digne

    2. Camino Aleatorio
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      You would be the only Digne owner, not playing him this weekend

    3. Saif_LFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Play Digne for Pieters

  2. fridge
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Last 2 players I've brought in have been sent off so looking for an improvement on that this week...

    1FT, 1.5 ITB

    Pope
    Zinch. Maitland. Lundstram
    Salah. Sterling. KDB. Mount. Cantwell
    Haller. Pukki

    Button. Jota. Montoya. Aurier

    A) Jota > Abraham
    B) Zinch > Ota
    C) both for -4
    D) something else

    1. YuvalFPL
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      A then B next week

    2. FPL Forward Thinker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Why boot out Zinchenko when you own 5 other players that won’t play this weekend plus 1 that is a doubt.

      I think Jota to Abraham and Maitland-Niles to Tomori for -4 or just Jota to Abraham.

      Jota, Maitland-Niles, De Bruyne and Aurier won’t play and Cantwell a possibly will play
      Button doesn’t matter

  3. The King
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Cresswell or Tomori?

    1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I did Aurier To Cresswell this week and will do Montoya to Tomori next week, think they both have their merits!!

    2. FPL Forward Thinker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Cresswell looks good for 4 weeks then move to a Leicester def or Tomori or wait and see if KT comes in and improves Arsenal

  4. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    @Ogie don’t go for Gundogan.

    I thought I was clever choosing him at one point last season (or maybe season before) when he got a run in the team - he hauled the week before I bought him (what convinced me) blanked for about 5 weeks when I had him then hauled when I sold and continued blanking.

    Troll!

  5. n-doggg
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Ceballos to:

    A. Yarmolenko
    B. McGinn
    C. Ndidi

    1. andres
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I am doing A

  6. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Son or Mahrez is too close with too many variables. What’s the random pick site? Not got a coin on me 🙂

    1. OverTinker
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I am going for Son at the moment

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

    When we getting the Arsenal team news??

    1. badgerboy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      The teams playing in Europa on Thursday nights don't have press conferences.

      1. Tempestic
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Oh okay yeh, any news on Saka's absent midweek though? Just a rest i'm hoping?

  8. Going To Win This Year
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Anyone else silly enough to kneejerk sterling to kdb at the start of the week?

  9. OverTinker
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Play
    1.Lowton
    2.Digne?
    Also
    I may have to play both if I hold KDB so Is playing both a good option?

  10. Ribus
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    A) Kdb out for -4
    B) play Guendouzi

  11. Arsenal97
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    What do you think on Cresswel ?will he be a starter after doing well last 2 gws ?

    1. Arsenal97
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Shpuld i go for :
      Perreira Wilson out
      Cresswell Vardy in ?

      1. badgerboy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Wouldn't be getting rid of Pereira with the run of fixtures they have coming up after Liverpool.

        1. Arsenal97
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Vardy is also a must have

  12. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    any Norwich fans on here?? Any idea definitively as to whether or not Cantwell is going to play or not???

  13. St Pauli Walnuts
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    How come people on here saying Son might be rested this week?

  14. Birds of Prey
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    KDB is at -98.6% he's definitely dropping tonight.

    http://www.fplstatistics.co.uk/

    1. grumpyman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      FPL Towers will stop him from dropping. Correcting their pre-season pricing error with some manual intervention.

      1. Birds of Prey
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        I'll take that bet v your cynicism, and I'll spot you Tomori and Otamendi as well. GL tomorrow.

      2. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        They can pi55 off

    2. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      That's good news. He didn't drop last night so the most he can now lose before GW9 is 0.3m.

  15. bitm2007
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Pope
    TAA, Otamendi, Digne, Lundstram
    Salah, Sterling (c), James, **Cantwell**
    Abraham, Pukki

    Button, Soyuncu, KDB, Greenwood

    0.8m ITB, 1 FT

    A) Save with Soyuncu as first sub (potentially for Cantwell)
    B) Save with Greenwood as first sub (potentially for Cantwell)
    C) KDB to Yarmolenko, McGinn or Mount (then get KDB back for James after international break)