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. gstegnar
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Button - McCarthy
    Webster - Mitchell - TAA- Dier - KWP
    Son - Podeste - KDB - Bissouma - Havertz
    DCL - Werner - Ings

    2 FT, 1.4 mil left in the bank

    Any good ideas? Should I go "KDB to Salah" and "Werner to Wilson" and maybe later on "Bissouma to Graelish"?

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Yeah I like all those moves. Fancy Wilson to score well this GW. Salah a season keeper. Grealish a great upgrade

  2. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    I’ve once again made the big mistake of moving early on a very risky Zaha+Werner >> Son+DCL for free, price rises convincing me. Should I now do KDB >> Pulisic for a -4 or just accept another poor GW incoming? Not a good position to be in. WC also available.

    McCarthy
    TAA, Justin, Saiss, Davies
    KDB, Salah, Rodríguez, Son
    DCL, Ings
    (Nyland, Mitchell, Bissouma, Davis)

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I think with that much team budget in KdB it's worth a hit for points incoming...

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I sort of agree. You like the Pulisic move for a -4?

    2. H0p5t3r
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Similar situation, moved early Werner+Vinagre > Kane+Konsa and now have to decide is KDB>Son/Pulisic worth the hit... My thinking right now is if KDB does indeed miss two weeks (as is rumoured) and I replace him with a player who will definitely start the next two games then at the very worse I've broken even even on the -4 if that player blanks. All I need is an attacking return or two to make it very worthwhile... Course then it'd take an extra transfer to get KDB in later down the line but City's fixtures aren't great until GW10 anyway

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Yes. I still have WC too. Do you fancy Puli?

        1. H0p5t3r
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          I also have WC but think I'll be saving... As a non Son owner i'll probably go him. However Pulisic is probably CHE best asset, and at at £8.3m getting on him early might be a masterstroke. Not chasing last weeks points (Son) and instead going for someone who is bound to get points over the next couple... Fitness a minor concern though, long injury layoff will it take him time to get back up to speed?

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

      Mane would be my first target

      1. H0p5t3r
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        The LIV double is bold, would be a good differential however

      2. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I can’t afford it

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

      I have that exact midfield and contemplating the same but my first sub is Podence.

  3. tissae
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Start Saiss(lee) or Lamptey(cry) ?

    1. Meinhoff
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Lamp

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Saiss imo

    3. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Lamptey

  4. Pukki Party
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Is Fredericks nailed when fit?

    1. Bubbles1985
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Yes

      1. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        no they bought a new right back

        1. Bubbles1985
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          To cover Fred's injury.
          He is out quite a few weeks.

    2. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Just remembered Coufal had a decent game so answered my own question, both play RB right?

      1. Bubbles1985
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Fredericks plays RWB in our current formation

  5. Bubbles1985
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    WC Squad

    McCarthy

    TAA Lamptey Mitchell

    Soucek Bale Sterling Salah Barkley

    Jimenez DCL

    Forster Brewster Justin Masuaku

    I have 1.2itb left with this so could squeeze Barkley to Grealish

    Thoughts please?

    Cheers!

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

      I like it, but it won’t be popular on here

      1. Bubbles1985
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers. Unsure on Brewster, Bale and Barkley...

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

          Brewster home to Fulham has great potential, and he’s 4.5 so benching him in future is easy. Bale is too early to get, but is a fun pick. Barkley...I’m not sure yet.

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

          I like the Barkley shout by the way. I may WC tonight and he's been in most of my drafts. Well worth a shot at 5.9M.

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

      I'm a Spurs fan and love Bale but wouldn't get him in without seeing him play first. He's not going up in price so worth having Son and switching later. Also, not sure I'd have Justin on a WC. He will likely lose his place soon and I'd rather go Dallas.

      1. Bubbles1985
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I'm West Ham and still haunted by his last goal against us haha
        Good shout on Son though, leaves more money in the bank which is why i went Bale too...
        Dallas for Leeds?

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

          Yep Leeds Dallas. I have Doherty but need to downgrade him and will be going to Dallas next week.

          1. Bubbles1985
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            I had Doherty too but luckily dumped him before the price drop. Thought about Robertson but thinking i will spend minimal money at the back now.

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

              I think I would keep one premium defender. I'm sticking with TAA. Easy to move from him to Robbo, Chilwell or maybe even James if needed.

              1. Bubbles1985
                • 7 Years
                3 years, 5 months ago

                Yes sorry, minimal except TAA!

  6. You've got red on you.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Bottomed.

    Is deciding whether to take a -4 to do KDB ---> Sterling/Pulisic/Grealish etc. as simple as predicting if that player you're bringing in will score 4 or more points than the player that will be autosubbed in? In my case Bissouma.

    Will Sterling score 4 more points than Bissouma?

  7. Threat Level Midnight
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    I wonder if OGS will run Rash and Greenwood up top or just Greenwood? What do we think

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

      Rash + Greenwood.

      1. Threat Level Midnight
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I think so too

    2. You've got red on you.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Both

    3. rjcv177
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Honestly the best option has always been the diamond
      U can start Pogba, Matic, DeBeek, Bruno feeding rash and Greenwood
      Drop Greenwood when martial come back and make him supersub

      1. Threat Level Midnight
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Agree 1000%

  8. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Is it worth to get Sterling instead of Salah for the next 2 and captain him Vs West Ham? The get Salah and captain him Vs West Ham too (both great records Vs West Ham)

  9. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Thoughts on podence to pulisic- 4?

    A...yes

    B...no

    Good chance podence doesn't start v Leeds.....thanks

    1. You've got red on you.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Think I would just because it seems more exciting. Hell, it's just a game.

  10. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    G2g??

    Martinez
    Robbo Saiss James
    Sterling Pulisic (c) Son Podence
    Jimenez (vc) DCL Ings
    - Justin Bissouma Ferguson

  11. FPL FAN
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    A) KDB and Mitro --> Grealish and Kane
    B) KDB and Davis --> Jorginho and Kane

    What would you choose lads?

    1. rjcv177
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      B now. Mitro can score, Davis can't
      Check again next week the better option on villa (might go watkins or sacrifice other mid for grealish)

      1. FPL FAN
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers!

  12. Will J 256
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Sorry for asking this again guys. Have already made a Mahrez to son move this week, Need to move on KDB and Podence. Shall I bring in Pulisic and Grealish for those two players for a -8?

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I'd go KdB to Mahrez!

  13. Rocky FPL
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    What to do with KDB?
    Already have Salah and Son.

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Mane?

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Sterling?

    3. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Bruno?

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

      Pulisic

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

      i went mane, so both mane and salah and a much easier switch back to city mid

  14. stu92
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Son or Salah for KDB replacement?

    Currently have no Spurs cover, but Robbo & TAA.

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Son on fixtures

  15. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Anyone got news on Dier??

    1. You've got red on you.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Out

  16. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Vardy to Kane for - 4?

    Thanks

  17. AJBucko
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Help.........

    KDB & Sterling to Son & Salah (c)

    or

    KDB & Adams to Grealish & Kane (c)

    1. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Son and Salah

  18. The Polymath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Took a -8 this week so happy you're all doing a -4 to get KDB out. 😀

    1. nerd_is_the_werd
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Gonna keep KDB in my case.
      Already took hits for other players before injury, and gonna assume he'll be back the following week.

    2. You've got red on you.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Ah, been waiting on your presser. More inclined to do a -8 now I know you have too.

    3. rjcv177
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Most on WC

  19. nerd_is_the_werd
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    a. Digne (h) v Liverpool.
    b. Podence (a) v Leeds.

  20. Mr. Mystic
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Son or Salah captain & why?

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

      Son I think.

      I think London derby will be a very open game and Spurs should score 2+

    2. COLLIN QUANER
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Son. Better fixture

  21. AuFeld
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Is Sterling on pens with KdB out?

    1. Mr. Mystic
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Aguero could be back

  22. EgyptianKing
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    On WC what do you think is better?

    A) TAA Pulisic DCL

    B) Chilwell Mane Watkins

    Cheers!

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

      A

  23. SHOWSTOPPERRR
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Guys on wc should I keep Justin?

    1. MY DJ NAME IS PIMP CURRY
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I'm removing him because of the injuries they have in defence

  24. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Scout picks tonight mids?

  25. jdogg
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Jiminez to harrold worth -4?x

  26. MOZIL
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Bruno or Pulisic?? Already have Werner

  27. DIMITRIS
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Who's best for armband for this GW out of these:

    A) Werner
    B) Son
    C) Sterling
    D) Grealish

  28. tissae
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Are you guys keeping Mitchell on WC?

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

    Not that confident this week but let’s go, best of luck all!

    Martinez
    Digne Saiss James
    Salah Son(c) Rodríguez Grealish
    Jimenez Ings Richarlison

    Button Justin Bissouma Ferguson 0FT 1.8 ITB

  30. MY DJ NAME IS PIMP CURRY
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    A) Kane + Trossard

    B) Richarlison + Pulisic?