Team News

FPL Gameweek 5 team news: injury updates on De Bruyne, Chilwell, Vardy and more

Our weekly press conference summary rounds up the headline injury news and stand-out manager quotes from the pre-match conference calls.

Manchester City v Arsenal

Kevin De Bruyne (muscle) will miss the visit of Arsenal this weekend and could be out for a little while longer, with boss Pep Guardiola saying of the Belgian:

I don’t think it’s much but next games I think will be out. But we will see, day by day, how he is going on. I don’t know [how long], I cannot answer this question because I don’t know.

The Telegraph report that De Bruyne may be out for two weeks.

There was no mention of Raheem Sterling (hamstring) in the broadcast section of Guardiola’s conference call, although the City boss did say that De Bruyne was the only player returning from international duty with an injury.

Guardiola also offered updates on Gabriel Jesus (leg) and Sergio Aguero (knee), with the latter a possibility to return this weekend:

[Aguero is] training well, I’m very happy. Trained the last three or four days. Happy to see him back on the pitch.

[Gabriel] has an injury in the front part of his leg where if he reinjures, we will lose him for a long, long time. I don’t know [if he’ll be back for the Champions League].

Arsenal have yet to issue their weekly medical bulletin following Mikel Arteta’s presser on Thursday.

The Gunners’ head coach was asked about whether Kieran Tierney could play this weekend, despite fears that he would have to self-isolate for 14 days:

I hope so. We are still having some discussions with the authorities and hopefully we will know more this afternoon.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had pulled out of the Gabon squad with an ankle injury but the withdrawal was a precautionary one and he has since been spotted on the training ground.

Everton v Liverpool

Lucas Digne and Yerry Mina look to be injury-free despite having been fitness concerns while on international duty.

Carlo Ancelotti reported a clean bill of health but did warn that tiredness could factor into his thinking this weekend:

No [injury] news, I think all the players are available. It’s true that they travelled, they played, but they came back in good condition and they are all available for tomorrow.

Maybe they are a little bit tired so this could be a consideration when choosing the line-up and also to see what happens during the game.

Sadio Mane and Thiago Alcantara (both COVID-19) have been back in training this week and they, along with Joel Matip, are in contention for the Merseyside derby.

Leicester City v Aston Villa

Leicester have a number of injury headaches ahead of Gameweek 5, with Cağlar Söyüncü (abductor) joining Daniel Amartey (hamstring), Wilfred Ndidi (adductor) and Ricardo Pereira (ACL) on the sidelines.

Jamie Vardy (calf), Jonny Evans (abdominal) and Dennis Praet (knee) will be assessed too, although James Maddison (hip) is in contention to feature.

Brendan Rodgers said:

We think that Çağs will most definitely be out with an abductor strain, so we’re waiting on the scan on that. We think that he is definitely out for a number of weeks, but until we get the final scans, that will determine the length of time.

We’ll see how Wes Morgan is also and then we’ll assess it over the next 24 hours. Wes has had some issues with his lower back, but we’re hoping, if he’s required, he’ll be available to play.

Jonny has come back with abdominal pain, so again, we’ll review that. We’re hopeful that Jonny will be okay and that would obviously be a great bonus for the team.

Vards has an issue around his calf, so we’re awaiting a scan on that. Dennis Praet, obviously, has gone away and done some work with Belgium, so we’ll see how he is, but he’ll be a doubt.

On the flip side, Dean Smith hasn’t reported any fresh injury concerns for Aston Villa.

Tottenham Hotspur v West Ham United

Most of Spurs’ returning international contingent have come back unscathed but Eric Dier has a hamstring injury that, according to his manager, could “maybe but not definitely” rule him out this weekend.

Giovani Lo Celso (thigh) and Japhet Tanganga (unspecified) will miss out but Gareth Bale (fitness) could feature for the first time since his move from Real Madrid, with Jose Mourinho saying:

It’s a physical thing. He didn’t have any pre-season and even in the period after the lockdown, he didn’t participate in much with Real Madrid.

Then he plays a couple of matches with Wales and he had an injury there. So it’s not just about coming and needing a week of work to be at the level. It’s more global than that. We don’t want him to be rushed. We want him to feel comfortable, we want him to make the decision of ‘yes I’m ready, yes I’m ready to go’.

It’s more about that… but he’s working so well. It’s just evolution in everything, in every data and in every aspect of his condition. He’s there, he’s there. Probably he plays Sunday, if he doesn’t he will on Thursday, but he’s there, he’s very, very close.

The Spurs head coach later confirmed, in less-than-shocking news, that Harry Kane would start against the Hammers.

The broadcast section of David Moyes’ pre-match presser was ludicrously short but the West Ham boss was later quoted as saying:

Ryan Fredericks is back in training, Issa Diop is back in training. We’ve got everyone back fit now. 

We’ll check the boys who have come back from international duty, a few have come back from a bit further afield, so we’ll just check that they’re all fine over the next few days, but we’re in a good place at the moment.

Arthur Masuaku had pulled out of the DR Congo squad but his withdrawal was said to be precautionary.

Newcastle United v Manchester United

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reported that Harry Maguire picked up a knock during England’s game against Denmark on Wednesday and will be assessed before the match against Newcastle this weekend.

Edinson Cavani (quarantine) and Anthony Martial (suspended) will definitely miss out.

Speaking of the availability of Maguire and his new signings:

[Maguire] picked up a knock just before he came off, so I’m hopeful that he will be fit. We had a look at him yesterday and will give him a test today.

Alex [Telles] came in yesterday, did his recovery after a long, long flight from Sao Paulo, having come on twice for Brazil. We’re looking forward to integrating him.

Edinson has still not been with the group because of his quarantine.

Allan Saint-Maximin, Jamaal Lascelles and Jamal Lewis are both expected to be available for the Magpies, while Ciaran Clark, Matty Longstaff and Paul Dummett will build up their match fitness with run-outs for the under-23s.

Chelsea v Southampton

Edouard Mendy (thigh) and Thiago Silva (fatigue) will not feature in Gameweek 5 but Frank Lampard reported good news elsewhere ahead of the visit of Southampton:

Mendy won’t be fit for the match tomorrow, we hope the injury is not too long. Thiago Silva after his trip [to Brazil] and back, he’s not unfit but he’s not ready to play the game. So he won’t be in the squad.

Ben Chilwell is in the squad. Christian Pulisic is in the squad and fit to play. Hakim Ziyech is in the squad, not fit to start but fit to participate some minutes, we hope.

Ralph Hasenhüttl will be without Stuart Armstrong (illness) and Moussa Djenepo (hamstring) for Southampton’s trip to Chelsea on Saturday.

Armstrong has been self-isolating since testing positive for COVID-19 on international duty with Scotland, while Djenepo picked up a hamstring problem in the 2-0 win over West Brom in Gameweek 4.

Hasenhuttl said of Armstrong:

I do not think that he will be an option for the weekend. He couldn’t train with us, was in quarantine. Normally you have to work for one week to be part of [a Premier League game]. It’s a pity that he is out now. Hope he can be back Friday or Saturday and then can start training the beginning of next week to be an option for next weekend.

Leeds United v Wolverhampton Wanderers

Marcelo Bielsa confirmed that Pablo Hernandez is fit to face Wolves on Monday, while new signing Raphinha is expected to be in the squad.

Liam Cooper is touch and go with a muscle problem, however, while Diego Llorente (muscle) and Adam Forshaw (hip) are out.

Marcal (calf) is back in contention for the visitors but Nuno Espirito Santo did warn of some “problems” with his international contingent:

We have players that came from national teams with problems that we have to deal with, assess and manage.

Fortunately, players that were here, like Marcal, are starting with the team already, the first sessions with the team.

It’s about trying to balance everybody so that we can have a full squad in these moments.

Crystal Palace v Brighton and Hove Albion

Graham Potter said of Brighton’s fitness latest on Thursday:

Tariq [Lamptey] has trained today so we’ll see how he responds to that.

Jose [Izquierdo] has been training with the group and he benefitted from some game-time with the under-23s the other week, so we might see if we can do the same again this weekend. 

Davy [Propper], we just wanted to take it easy with him. He has trained this week as well so again, we’ll see what the reaction is towards the back-end of the week before we make a decision over the weekend.

Roy Hodgson revealed that Crystal Palace are assessing Wayne Hennessey after the goalkeeper picked up a muscle injury over the international break.

James McCarthy is out with a hamstring problem, meanwhile.

There were no further updates on Gary Cahill, James Tomkins and Patrick van Aanholt, all of whom were close to fitness even before the international break and who have all been in training.

Jeffrey Schlupp (muscle) has also rejoined the squad.

West Bromwich Albion v Burnley

Jack Cork (ankle), Ben Mee (thigh) and Matthew Lowton (knock) will again be missing for Burnley, with Johann Berg Gudmundsson (groin) and Bailey Peacock-Farrell (hip) to be assessed ahead of the meeting with West Brom.

Jay Rodriguez is back in contention after an ankle problem, however.

Slaven Bilic expects Hal Robson-Kanu to be out for between four and five weeks with a broken arm.

West Brom are still waiting to hear if Callum Robinson can play, with the striker having had to self-isolate over the international break.

Fulham v Sheffield United

Much like West Brom with Robinson, Sheffield United are waiting on news on whether John Egan can feature after his spell in self-isolation.

Chris Wilder also reported “a couple of injury issues with boys from international duty”, which could include David McGoldrick (muscle), John Fleck (back) and Oliver Burke (knock).

Scott Parker says that Joachim Anderson will be out for the “foreseeable future” after sustaining ankle ligament damage, with Kenny Tete (calf) also sidelined for the next few weeks.

Mario Lemina is fit again but Gameweek 5 looks to have come too soon for Harrison Reed (unspecified).



More detailed information and predicted line-ups can be found in the Team News tab, which will be refreshed before the Gameweek 5 deadline at 11:00 BST on Saturday.

Keep an eye on our Twitter feed, too, for any late-breaking updates.

A video round-up with Andy and Neale can be viewed below:

525 Comments Post a Comment
  1. AD2110
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Which options better on a WC?

    McCarthy, (Steer)
    Saiss, Dallas, Mitchell, XXX, XXX
    Salah, Son, Grealish, Bissouma, XXX
    Kane, DCL, Wilson

    A) Chilwell, Robbo, Pulisic
    B) Lamptey, Konsa, Sterling

    Leaning towards A) but doesn’t give much flexibility on getting back KDB once fit

    1. Dexters Laboratory
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A) Think it'll be GW10 before I look at bringing KDB back

    2. Geriatric Unathletic
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      No but it does give you a Kane to Agueroooo

  2. WillyP
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Pick 3 out of:

    R James, Sais, Justin, Mitchell, C Taylor

  3. PocketZola
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    rmt wc 0.6itb

    martinez
    sais robertson dallas
    salah son grealish jrod pulisic
    dcl kane

    subs, steer, mitchell, dunne, brewster

  4. Ange Ball
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Seeing how everyone jumping on Son and most got him in already in my league and experience I had with him GW1 then taking him out GW2 then putting back for GW3 then removing him getting only 1pt from his monster returns I decided on Bale taken cap off Kane put on Bale. Let's hope for a turn around fantasy just down to luck

    1. HNI
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Luck and more importantly patience

      1. Ange Ball
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        totally agree

    2. Dexters Laboratory
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Think Bale will get 60+min?

      1. Ange Ball
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        might start play 60mins him and Son taken off or he be benched come on for second half might be Son to Bale Sub second half

    3. Rash
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Very bold. Think Bale comes off the bench tbh

  5. Erez Avni
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Need some help please

    martinez
    taa robbo justin mitchell (kwp)
    salah (c) son barnes (stephens poveda)
    ings dcl jimenez

    A. play mitchell and if he’s benched kwp first sub against Chelsea
    B. bringing Trossard for stephens for a hit and play playing 343

    1. FourLokoLeipzig
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A (doubt he’s benched)

  6. HNI
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Which 2 defenders to start from these 4 with CS Odds?

    1) RJames vs Soton (1.4)
    2) Saiss vs leeds (2.4)
    3) Justin vs AVL (2)
    4) Mitchell vs BHA (2)

    Starting 1 as good upside, has anyone how Leeds defend corners? Saiss tempting me with setpiece threat whereas Justin looks higher up on heatmap....Any thoughts appreciated

    1. baines is god
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      what are these random 1.4, 2.4, 2 and 2 things about?

      Start R-James and Justin IMO with Mitchell as first sub

      1. HNI
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        CS odds. So R James as highest cleanie chance and Saiss least

    2. WillyP
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      1 and 2

    3. Rash
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      1 & 2

    4. baines is god
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      1.4?
      there's no way Chelsea have a 72% clean sheat chance against Soton. Where do you get these numbers from?

  7. baines is god
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Grealish Brewster or DCL?

    I need to start 2

    1. HNI
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Grealish and DCL easy. Can advice above mate?

    2. Rash
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Brewster bench for me

      1. baines is god
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        what's the point having him if i'm benching him vs Fulham home though?

        1. Rash
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Enabler

  8. Rash
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    RMWCT

    Martinez
    Digne chilwell lamptey
    Salah son pulisic Rodriguez grealish
    Kane DCL

    Steer brewster KWP mitchel

    .4itb

    1. HNI
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      8/10
      I would wait for Pulisic to have some form before diving in straight away. Maybe C Wilson/Maupay instead and Pulisic to Soucek for strong bench cover....Can advice me above?

      1. Rash
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I jumped straight in with pulisic gameweek 1! Lol

        1. baines is god
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Don't get Digne. Very little clean sheet potential with fixtures and expensive.
          Pulisic might well not start tomorrow which is Chelsea's last very good fixture for a while. Better options than him IMO.
          Same problem as me. Why Brewster if not starting vs Fulham. Just for 4.5?

          1. Rash
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            Very last good fixture? They have very favourable fixtures imo.

            Brewster could do well..

  9. AC Yew
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    -4 for JWP to Grealish worth it?

    1. Rash
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Probably not

    2. Latetotheparty
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Yep

  10. Fernando Torres
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Chances of these 3 starting...

    A) Bale
    B) Pulisic
    C) Sterling

  11. El-Kloppico
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Which one plz..

    A. Kebano > Grealish

    B. Davies > Watkins

    C. Davies > Maupay

    D. Kebano > Trossard

    1. Latetotheparty
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      C

  12. Manani
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Brewster, Podence, Mitchell

    who to start and who first sub?

    1. dimo_fpl
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I think I heard Brewster is starting, and it’s home to Fulham.

      1. dimo_fpl
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        First sub Podence

  13. Salah’s Sonnet
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    balls to it, KDB > Pulisic it is, not as if this season can go any more wrong haha!

    1. Goro Majima
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I brought him in too. What the hell, at some point something has to go right!

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Exactly bud! Haha! May as well, anyone’s guess week to week

  14. Catastrophe
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    A) Bench KDB (start Brewster and Justin)
    B) KDB -> Mane/Sterling/JRod/Grealish (-4) (start Brewster)
    C) KDB & Wilson -> Kane (c) & JRod/Grealish (-8)
    D) Something Else

    Already have Son (c) and Salah..

    Cheers

  15. Hazard_18
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Who would you bench?
    Taylor (WBA)
    Dallas (Wol)

    1. Sotamendi84
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      dallas

      1. Hazard_18
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        thanks

        1. R.V.Nistelrooy_10
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Taylor

  16. The Wizard of Ozil
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    What to do with KDB?

    A) Sterling
    B) Mane
    C) KDB & Mitro -> Kane & Grealish (-4)

    1. Sotamendi84
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      c

    2. baines is god
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A

  17. Sotamendi84
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    chilwell or regullion?

    1. The Hunt
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I've got both on my wildcard! 😉

      1. Lazaretti
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        What's your D?

    2. Lazaretti
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Thinking the same. Regullion maybe more nailed and prob more cs. Chilwell on set pieces. Chilwell might lose some games to James and Chilwell seems to have injury every now and then

    3. Sotamendi84
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      robbo lamptey dallas sakho/lewis

    4. Latetotheparty
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Chilly

  18. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    If Watkins doesn’t go up tonight I’ll be tempted by an early wood > Watkins tomorrow

  19. WillyP
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    repost. Help please!

    Pick 3 out of:

    R James, Sais, Justin, Mitchell, C Taylor

    1. dimo_fpl
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Saiss, Justin, Taylor. Reece not nailed and PVA is back

      1. WillyP
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Good shout, cheers!

  20. baines is god
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    I need to pick 7 out of my 8 midfielders/attackers

    Son Salah Grealish Mahrez Rodriguez
    Brewster DCL Kane

    Everyone's saying bench Brewster but what was the point in signing him if I"m going to bench him vs Fulham at home?

    1. Quan MisTaka
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      cuz he is 4.5m

  21. OptimusBlack
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    So Sorry for repooooost
    McCarthy
    Mitchell Justin Chilwel
    KDB Salah Rodríguez Podence
    DCL Jiménez Vardy (C)
    (Steer) Egan Bissouma Holding
    Already -4 and 0.5 ITB
    Use WC or Not :

  22. Ci Siamo
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    I'm on a WC, should I....

    A) Stick with Rodriguez

    B) Punt on Greenwood

  23. Quan MisTaka
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    KDB > Bruno? (-4) Is it tiime

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      lol

  24. dimo_fpl
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Last decision on my WC :
    A) Pulisic
    B) Grealish

  25. Winston.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Best pick?
    A. Grealish + Kane
    B. Pulisic + Jimenez
    C. Bruno Fernandes + Antonio/Maupay

    1. Rash
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A

    2. WillyP
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A

    3. dimo_fpl
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A

  26. WillyP
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Which 3 out of:

    A) R James
    B) Sais
    C) Justin
    D) Mitchell
    E) C Taylor

  27. JONALDINHO
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Final WC decisions :
    1.
    A) Kane and Grealish
    B) Sterling and Watkins

    2.
    A) JRod and Semedo
    B) Pulisic and Saiss

    1. the divine ponytail
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      AB (but maybe not Saiss)

    2. WillyP
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      1. A
      2. B

    3. mixology
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      replied on top of 3rd page by accident

    4. dimo_fpl
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      1) A
      2) A (very close tho)

      1. baines is god
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        AA by miles

  28. The Train Driver
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    AA

  29. the divine ponytail
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    After several drafts it is time to finalise my WC team.

    Please let me know which team you prefer.

    A) Sterling + Weak Defence team

    Adrian, Forster
    Targett, Lamptey, Bellerin, KWP
    Sterling, Salah, Son, Havertz, Soucek
    Kane, DCL, Brewster

    B) Robbo and no Sterling team

    Adrian, Forster
    Robbo, Lamptey, Reguillon, KWP
    Mahrez, Salah, Son, Havertz, Soucek
    Kane, DCL, Brewster

    Sterling probably would have been and will be KDB when he returns

    Thanks

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      i don't like either side tbh

      1. the divine ponytail
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Any particular reason?

  30. drughi
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Decided to wildcard after the KDB news so this is what I have come up with, looking a bit template but should do well considering the fixtures coming up.

    Martinez
    Robertson TAA Ayling
    Grealish Son Salah Jrod
    Kane (C) Watkins DCL

    Button Soucek KWP Douglas

    any input would be appreciated

    1. Rash
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I like it