Team News

The FPL Gameweek 9 team news and injury updates

Having brought you up to speed on the ten pre-Gameweek 9 press conferences to be held on Wednesday and Thursday, we now turn our attention to the remaining Premier League manager pressers.

There were a number of well-owned Fantasy assets who we were seeking clarification on, one of whom was Kevin De Bruyne (groin).

Asked about the Belgian, John Stones (thigh) and Benjamin Mendy (hamstring), Pep Guardiola said:

Yeah, some of them are better. Kevin is back and John trained the last two days good. Mendy as well. Mendy a little bit later, but as well.

FPL bosses hoping for clear-cut information on Alisson (calf), Mohamed Salah (ankle) and Joel Matip (knock) were left disappointed by Jurgen Klopp’s press conference, meanwhile, with the Liverpool boss saying of the Reds’ injury situation:

Better – how good, we have to see, that’s the truth. There are two more sessions to come from this afternoon and we have to see. Then we’ll make decisions, that’s how it is. Nothing is fixed.

The players from international duty all came back healthy which is very, very important, so we have now three or four days with the full squad to prepare.

Matip had declared himself fit a day earlier, while a scan on Salah has at least shown no lasting damage.

Frank Lampard has been left counting the cost of the international break, with N’Golo Kante (groin), Andreas Christensen (hamstring) and Mateo Kovacic (thigh) having picked up injuries – although the Croatian midfielder looks set to recover.

The Chelsea boss said:

N’Golo is not fit. He had a small groin issue [with France] and we didn’t get him back until after the second game.

Kovacic had a knock on his thigh but has trained the last couple of days so is in contention. Ross [Barkley] is fine.

Andreas Christensen has got a hamstring injury which will see him out probably for the next two weeks. Rudiger is training outside with the physios. A bit of work to be done for him for match-fitness but really positive for us that he’s back outside.

There were no updates on Reece James (ankle) and Emerson Palmieri (hamstring) in the broadcast section of Frank Lampard’s press conference on Friday but both players have been involved in training this week.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s injury list in early-October was almost as bad as Daniel Farke’s at Norwich and David de Gea (groin) is the latest casualty, having hobbled off while playing for Spain.

Solskjaer said on Friday:

I don’t expect him to play but it wasn’t as bad as feared. When I saw the game I thought, ‘that’s him out until the next international break’. But it’s not as bad as feared.

Much like Klopp, the United boss was frustratingly ambiguous about the wider fitness picture, saying:

Of course, I would like to tell you positive news, we’ll see on Sunday who’s come through the last two sessions. There are players who have just started training, just on the verge of coming back.

His quotes from an interview with Sky Sports on Wednesday may give owners of Aaron Wan-Bissaka (tonsillitis) and Anthony Martial (thigh) some hope, at least, although Paul Pogba (ankle) is definitely sidelined.

While United’s injury situation remains unclear, Norwich’s is looking much rosier.

Farke revealed on Friday that Tim Krul, Kenny McLean, Todd Cantwell, Max Aarons, Sam Byram, Alex Tettey, Tom Trybull, Jamal Lewis and Onel Hernandez are all fit after their respective issues, with Mario Vrancic back in training and working on his fitness too.

Grant Hanley will be out for seven to eight weeks after groin surgery, however.

Farke’s opposite number this weekend, Eddie Howe, may have Adam Smith (hamstring) back after a hamstring problem.

The Bournemouth boss said:

He’s trained. We’ve had to take our time with his hamstring injury, it wasn’t an absolute clear low-grade strain. We’ve had to be careful with him. He’s close.

Dan Gosling (hip), Junior Stanislas (knee) and David Brooks (ankle) remain out, while Howe was annoyingly vague about a few other fitness issues that the Cherries have.

Howe said:

I think we’ve seen everybody now, there’s a couple of slight concerns. You’re always slightly fearful how they’re going to come back but we can be relatively pleased.

Nuno Espirito Santo was similarly non-committal about whether a cluster of his injured or ill players would return this weekend, saying:

We had some issues. Players that came from their national team, Leander [Dendoncker] struggling with some problems, Romain [Saiss], Diogo [Jota], Pedro [Neto], Jordao, we have some problems that we had to manage.”

We’ll give them space and time to recover well so they can help the team. Some of them will be inside of the game, the others not. We’ll have to wait and see.

Mamadou Sakho (muscle) and Connor Wickham (match fitness) will again miss out for Crystal Palace this weekend, while Roy Hodgson said on Friday that a couple of other unnamed players will be assessed ahead of the visit of Manchester City – although did say that he expects those in question to recover.

Steve Bruce confirmed that Matt Ritchie (ankle) and Florian Lejeune (knee) are his only two injury-related absentees for the trip to Chelsea.

Finally, Marco Silva brought us news of Everton’s injury latest.

The Toffees’ head coach said:

Fabian [Delph] is still in doubt. We have 24 hours until the game and still in doubt, let’s see how he will react. He did not a full session with the team but he’s getting better.

Like you know, JP [Gbamin] will be out long-term. Cenk Tosun as well, he came from the national team with a small issue in the muscle in his groin. Nothing special, not too long, but will be out of tomorrow’s match.


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

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

You can view a video round-up or listen to the podcast summary of Gameweek 9’s press conferences below.



854 Comments Post a Comment
  1. willos_wanderers
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    What are my priorities here?

    Pope
    Digne - VVD - Otamendi - Lundstrom - Soyuncu
    Salah - Sterling - KDB - Mount - Cantwell
    Haller - Pukki - Greenwood

    2FT, 0.4 ITB

    I'm out of love with Greenwood, Pukki, Cantwell, Digne and Otamendi. Ambivalent about Haller and VVD. And would like to own Abraham, CHO and Vardy, and realise I probably need to swap Salah for Mane to get there.

    Cannot decide what my priorities should be?

    Do I use

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

      Had a pretty similar side to you and did Cantwell and Ota to Soy and CHO, suppose you could do the same but to Tomori and CHO? Haller has good fixtures coming still, selling Digne instead of Ota could raise the cash to move Pukki on too but not sure i would before Bournemouth! VVD bit annoying yes but can't have em all

  2. Sparkys Barmy Army
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    On a W/C, team looking like this, gtg?

    Pope (Button)
    TAA - Dunk - Rico (Lund, Kelly)
    Mane - KDB - Maddison - Mount (Stephens)
    Auba - Abraham - Wilson

    Gone cheap in defence but still got 1.6 itb, not sure where to spend it.

    1. Hart-ake
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Looks good; I would upgrade one of Kelly or Rico though, bit too weak otherwise- possibly to Boly or Soyuncu.

    2. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Kun over Auba?

    3. Ron_Swanson
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I like it a lot

  3. Hart-ake
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Better way to free up funds:

    a) Salah to Mane
    b) Otamendi to Soyuncu

    1. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Both good

    2. The Darkest Knight
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      b

    3. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      As long as free ... B then A if need both

  4. Yank Revolution
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Ok chaps, here's me WC, rate away!

    Pope/Button...(thought about McGovern, but Krul is back this week)
    TAA/Soy/Dunk/Lund/Rico
    Mane/KDB/Mount/Maddison/Dendonk
    Kun/Wilson/Abraham

    0.0 itb

    1. Bruce Lee
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Solid 9/10

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Nice

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

      Nice one. I’d go Kun over Auba but a couple 0.1s short - courtesy of being late to Abraham bandwagon, selling KDB etc but hey ho.

      Nice team!

      1. Yank Revolution
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Thx all

  5. Bruce Lee
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    1 FT left

    Pope
    TAA, Lowton, Guilbert
    Salah, Mahrez, Son, Mount, Cantwell
    Aguero, Abraham

    4m, Ward, Lund, 4.5m

    A) Leave
    B) Son to KDB

    1. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      A this gw.. B next gw

      1. Bruce Lee
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Good shout

    2. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      B

      1. Bruce Lee
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        As above... now or next gw?

        1. Yank Revolution
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Now

    3. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      B

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

    WC pretty much locked in. 0.9 ITB with this team - hoping Auba delivers short term and if not I’ll try to weasel Sterling back in instead but I’m fairly happy rn...

    Pope (McGovern)
    TAA Soyuncu Dunk (Lundstram Rico)
    Mane KDB Mount Maddison (Dendoncker)
    Auba Abraham(c) Wilson

    🙂

    1. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Looks good...we are all winding up with similar (but not exact) WC teams....look up to rate mine pls!

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

        Cheers mate! Hoping Auba delivers as I’m nervous about him after bringing for a hit last week...and not having Raz

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Kane?

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

        Why?

  7. Ji-Sung Park
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Best midfielder next 4-5 gws?
    a) Maddison
    b) CHO
    c) Yarmolenko
    d) Harry Wilson

    1. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      A. Hop on maddy train before it sets off

    2. Eddie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Mads

    3. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      A then C then B, D often got less than 90 mins

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

      I fancy CHO

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

    Palace at home. I can think of Roy ruining the weekend for many.

    Could also be a goal fest for City but Roy always finds a way of peeing in your porridge.

    1. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      City will be hungry for goals, I’m expecting 5-0 City

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

        I bet you were expecting that vs Wolves at the Etihad?

        Palace are solid this season.

        1. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          They conceded 4 to a dodgy Spurs team. They’ve only been solid against bottom half teams

          1. HurriKane
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Palace at home this season 4 matches 3 cs and only 1 solitary goal conceded at stoppage time against wolves

            Its going to be tough match for city. Probably 1-0. or 2 at max

      2. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Doubt it

    2. Eddie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I'll probably turn the telly off after Otamendi's 1st yellow leads to a penalty then tune back in to catch his second yellow in the 58th minute after City have just conceded second.

      Will still end 5-2 to City.

  9. mdm
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Who to captain:

    A. Sterling (cpl)
    B. Abraham (NEW)
    C. Kane (WAT)

    Thanks!

    1. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      C. Watford leakiest defence

      1. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Spurs looking awful though

        1. HurriKane
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Yh but kane still in decent form with 2 goals in last 3

          If your not going to captain Kane vs watford you might as well sell him.

    2. Blue&White85
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      C. If you’re not captaining Kane for this weekend then probably no point owning.

  10. Dele
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Son to KDB for a hit?

    1. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Only if you captain KDB

    2. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Nahh. Son has greater ceiling if he starts this gw.

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

        KDB has greater ceiling if he doesn't....

    3. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Not for a hit

  11. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Bournemouth v Norwich

    Start ( with other first on bench)

    A Rico or
    B Cantwell

  12. Rinseboy
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Thoughts on Salah and Pukki to KDB and Vardy for a longer term move?

    Pope
    TAA Otta Soyuncu Rico Lunds
    Salah Sterling Yarmolenko Mount Cantwell
    Auba Tammy Pukki

    1. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Hmmmm, not having any Pool attack would bother me.

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

        true may switch Sterling out in a few weeks for Mane or Salah. Or dgrade Auba

    2. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Sterling to Kdb

      Pukki to vardy

      And if you can’t afford it

      Salah to mane

  13. CHARLIE HULL
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Seems like I can get King for free, Wilson but have to ditch Pukki, or keep Pukki and get Wilson for a hit.

    A) King + Pukki
    B) Tomori + Wilson
    C) Wilson + Pukki (-4)

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

      If you want Pukki in the long run, and think Wilson will score, a -4 could be worth it. If not, B.

  14. finnish92
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Buy Vardy or C.Wilson?

    1. Pieterke30
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Wilson for this GW. Vardy for the season

    2. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Wilson

    3. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Wilson for two weeks, assess then maybe Vardy

  15. Badger Badger Mushroom Mush…
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    If you had Mahrez and Son and 1FT would you keep both and roll?

    1. XabiAlonso
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I'd probably sell Mahrez

  16. Legohair
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Pepe to KDB for free good move or save?

  17. The Train Driver
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    A. Soy + Maddison

    B. Perreira + Yarmo

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

      A is what I’ve got

    2. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      A

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

      Pererira and another price bracket mid of Yarma.

  18. Horlicks esq.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    What to do with Son?

    I have 1FT and a bench of unpredictable players to fall back on.

    Subs. Walker Peters / Joelinton / Lundstrum.

    Cant afford to not have him start and that 9.7m is juicy for a straight swap.

    YELP. HELP.

    1. Horlicks esq.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Waiting.... 🙂

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

      I also own Son (although my bench has cantwell first sub) but i'm also in a selling dilemma. Who would u get? KDB? Mount?

  19. YoungPretender
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    A) Soyuncu 
    B) Boly

    1) Wilson
    2) Jiminez 

    And is it worth VVD & Pukki to the favoured combo for free??

    1. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      A2

    2. Abra Dubravka
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      A1 and yes

  20. joelsprylar
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Do we think Tomori will be nailed also long term?
    Christensen is back 2 of November, when is Rudiger back?
    Safer to pick Azpi and better chance for offensive returns?

  21. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    2FTs:
    1) Otamendi, Pukki > Tomori/Soy, Jimenez
    2) Sterling, Pukki > Maddison, Auba
    3) Cantwell, Pukki > Maddison, Connolly
    4) Pukki, Cantwell, Sterling > Auba, McGinn, Maddison (-4)

    Notables in squad already: Salah, KDB, Mount, Tammy, TAA

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

    I am sorry but anyone who has owned Soy or does, please post each and every of his GW points in order 🙂

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

      No offence but this is how lesser players tend to think. Better players are looking at future points - what does it matter what points he got at some point in the past when no-one owned him?

    2. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Bought him GW4

      Fielded him GW6,7

      Gaining me 8 points (2,6)

      Happy so far

    3. Hart-ake
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Hello, fixture swing!

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

        Rodgers always implodes defensively.

        That is a fact. Happy to have Vardy though and would rather have Pereira than Soy.

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

          Disagreed, Pereria has no stats. Rather have the money

        2. Yank Revolution
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Monstrous price difference between the two.

  23. smix
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Hows this WC team looking?

    Gazza Roberto
    TAA Pereira Alonso Lunds Targett
    KDB Mane Mcginn Mount Dendo
    Vardy Abraham CWilson

    Plan to do Mcginn to Lanzini next week

    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Alonso isn’t nailed on, Emerson is back.

      Targett is strange choice, rest is good

    2. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Dont like that Cadillac defense. Upgrade McGinn at the cost of Per/Alonso

      GKs both out, dont like rotation. Pick a 4.5 or 4.6 option and stick.

  24. space
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Any suggestions for best midfielder under 5.0?

    a. Guendouzi
    b. Dendoncker
    c. Someone else - who?

    I want someone who is almost guaranteed to start.

    1. FPL_DON
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      a

    2. Eddie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Isn't Dendonker a doubt this week?

      Dendonker if security of starts long term is your goal.

    3. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      A looks good for the odd assist in every 4 or 5 matches

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

      Maybe Hayden but not much choice other than Aand B. Even Dendo is losing minutes.

  25. FPL_DON
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Webster nailed?

  26. snowman
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    What are better options for Ceballos (no money in bank)

  27. finnish92
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    King instead of C.Wilson to afford to uppgrade Guendouzi to Maddison?

    1. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Yh good shout.

  28. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Is this worth -4?

    Sterling Pukki ➡ KDB Wilson

    1. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      As i said before sterling pukki are top 2 on jontys goal imminent table

      Highly advise against it

    2. Abra Dubravka
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      For free yes, but probably not for -4

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

      I’d say not for the hit - even though I essentially did those moves as part of a WC.

      Could go either way, I’m just hoping it goes mine as few things have this season!

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

    Surely on a WC a one week punt on Kane then change to Auba is a dumb idea, especially if I’ve gained 0.1 on Auba already?

    Spurs been awful. Watford improved defensively

  30. Abra Dubravka
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Captain woes:
    A) Tammy
    B) C. Wilson ?

    1. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      B against leakiest defence in the league