Team News

FPL Gameweek 9 team news: Injury updates on Sterling, Salah, Aguero and Rashford

The second part of our Gameweek 9 team news summary rounds up the headline updates and quotes from Friday’s pre-match press conferences, including the latest on Mohamed Salah (£12.3m).

We’ve now heard from all 20 Premier League managers ahead of Saturday’s Fantasy Premier League deadline, with some questions over player fitness cleared up and plenty more left unanswered.

The head coaches of Aston Villa, Brighton and Hove Albion, Burnley, Chelsea, Crystal Palace and West Bromwich Albion all held their official pre-Gameweek 9 pressers on Thursday and you can read the stand-out injury news in a separate round-up here.

Our YouTube and podcast team news summary is available towards the bottom of this piece, while our Team News tab will be refreshed over the coming hours and provide even more detail on what we offer here.

LIVERPOOL

Mohamed Salah will miss the visit of Leicester City this weekend but it’s still unknown whether the Egyptian will be back to face Brighton and Hove Albion in Gameweek 10.

Salah tested positive for coronavirus a week ago and is over halfway through the mandatory 10-day period of self-isolation.

Only when he returns a negative test can he think about a comeback to training, however, with Jurgen Klopp telling the media on Friday:

He is probably back [in Liverpool] today. When you have a negative test, the process really starts. He is in a good place, feels well, no symptoms, so that’s all fine.

The Reds are decimated by injury elsewhere, with Virgil van Dijk (knee), Joe Gomez (knee), Trent Alexander-Arnold (calf), Jordan Henderson (muscle) and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (knee) all definite absentees for the clash with Leicester City.

There may be better news on Fabinho (muscle) and Thiago (knock), at least, with Klopp saying:

Hendo, not, Trent not – that’s clear. All the rest (Fabinho, Thiago, Rhys Williams) we will see. They are all closer but we will see if it is close enough for the weekend.

MANCHESTER CITY

Pep Guardiola revealed that Sergio Aguero (muscle) has trained this week, while Raheem Sterling (calf) trained with the team for the first time today following his withdrawal from the England squad.

Fernandinho (stomach illness) and Nathan Ake (hamstring) are sidelined, however.

Guardiola said:

Except for Nathan and Fernandinho, the rest have started to come back.

Fernandinho is not fit. He has a little bit of gastroenteritis, something in his stomach. Sergio trained this week. Raheem, today, was the first training with the team.

MANCHESTER UNITED

Marcus Rashford (shoulder) was among the names mentioned by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in his team news bulletin today, with the Manchester United boss saying:

Luke Shaw, Jesse Lingard and Phil Jones are the only ones who didn’t join in parts of the training today. Bailly and Marcos Rojo joined the training today for the first time in a month at least, so they are not ready.

Marcus [Rashford] joined in the first time today. Hopefully there’s no reaction, I’m not sure.

Victor [Lindelof], we’ll have to check tomorrow because his back is not great.

There were more positive quotes on Rashford provided to the in-house media, with Solskjaer adding:

He’s worked in the gym and has got treatment. He joined in the session today and I hope he’ll hold his hand up and say he’s ready. That will be up to him. I think he feels okay.

On Mason Greenwood (illness), the United boss said:

Mason is fitter. He had eight or nine days away from us which is long time. He’s been training hard this week in the gym and on the grass. He’ll be back soon.

LEICESTER CITY

There are potential medium-term implications for James Justin with Brendan Rodgers confirming in today’s press conference that Timothy Castagne (hamstring) is back in contention for the Liverpool game on Sunday.

Ricardo Pereira (knee) is also back in training although, after eight months out, the Portugal international is still a little way off a first-team return and will first feature in a reserve game next week.

Wilfred Ndidi (adductor) and Caglar Soyuncu (adductor) are similarly training but remain a few weeks away.

EVERTON

Seamus Coleman (hamstring) and Jean-Phillipe Gbamin (Achilles) are Everton’s only confirmed absentees for the trip to Fulham, with Carlo Ancelotti providing some positive news on Richarlison and his returning South American contingent:

Gbamin is in the last part of his recovery, I think he will be here in 2-3 weeks to be ready to train and play. Coleman is not available for this game, the others are quite fit, good condition. [Delph, Allan and Richarlison] are all fit.

The players from South America came back yesterday. They were OK, they tested negative. They trained today; they are quite fit, a little bit tired from their travels, but we have time to recover for Sunday.

NEWCASTLE UNITED

Steve Bruce ruled Ryan Fraser (hamstring) out of the Chelsea game but says that Callum Wilson (hamstring) “has got a chance” of featuring.

Speaking on Friday, Bruce said:

Ryan won’t make it, unfortunately, but Callum has got a chance to. Obviously we’re going to make sure that if there’s any risk whatsoever, then he won’t play. But he has trained the last two days. It was very comfortable yesterday. We’ll see how he is today, but the boy wants to play.

We have to make sure he’s 100%, because the big problem for us all is the injuries – thankfully we’re getting a few back but it’s been a concern for all of us managers.

It might be a little bit early for Jonjo [Shelvey] but he’s trained two or three days. Matt Ritchie is another one who’s trained two or three days. That’s good news for us all, that they’re in and around the group again.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Jose Mourinho confirmed that Son Heung-min has tested negative for COVID-19 after returning from international duty with South Korea so is available this weekend.

The Spurs boss also revealed that Steven Bergwijn is fit but Harry Winks has returned from international duty with a “little problem” and Erik Lamela (unspecified) is still in the final stages of his recovery.

WEST HAM UNITED

David Moyes revealed that Michail Antonio (hamstring) is “much closer” to a comeback after a return to training although stopped short of declaring him fit to play:

Michail is back training and we’ve got a couple of days yet to see how he is. The truth is I can’t give you a complete answer [as to whether he’ll be available on Sunday], but he’s getting much closer that’s for sure.

Angelo Ogbonna (groin) is expected to be fit.

LEEDS UNITED

Marcelo Bielsa says that Kalvin Phillips (shoulder) and Rodrigo Moreno (self-isolation) are back in contention this weekend, with the former more likely to start than the latter.

Pablo Hernandez (muscle), Jamie Shackleton (quad) and Diego Llorente (groin) remain out, however.

ARSENAL

Mohamed Elneny and Sead Kolasinac will both miss the trip to Leeds on Sunday after testing positive for COVID-19 while away with their countries, while Thomas Partey is also sidelined with the thigh problem that forced him off in Gameweek 8.

Asked about the minutes that Bukayo Saka has racked up for England over the international break, Mikel Arteta said:

Obviously, he’s a 19-year-old kid and he’s played a lot of football in the last few months and we have to protect him. Let’s see how he comes back and try to get him fit and recovered and see how he is for Sunday.

SOUTHAMPTON

James Ward-Prowse (hamstring) and Ryan Bertrand (hamstring) have been back in training and Ralph Hasenhuttl said the pair “should” be fit to feature against Wolves on Monday.

Danny Ings (knee) is making good progress but remains out.

Hasenhuttl said:

Everyone else [bar Ings] is in training in the moment. I haven’t seen everybody coming back from the internationals (Djenepo, Bednarek, Vestergaard, Armstrong). We have all the guys back today and it’s an advantage that we play on Monday.

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS

Nuno Espirito Santo was typically non-committal on the injury front, saying only that Wolves have “some issues” to assess.

Santo did at least acknowledge “the situation of Conor Coady“, with the centre-half having self-isolated following contact with a person who tested positive for COVID-19.

The Wolves boss added that Saturday will be the first chance he has to gather all of his squad together.

SHEFFIELD UNITED

Chris Wilder said that Rhian Brewster (knock), Enda Stevens (knee) and John Egan (head) have “all got a chance” and will be given “the maximum time to recover” ahead of the visit of West Ham.

John Fleck is available while Lys Mousset (toe) has returned to training and could be an option.

Sander Berge is a “question mark” according to his manager, with the Blades awaiting instruction on whether the midfielder can take part this weekend due to quarantine rules in Norway.

FULHAM

Scott Parker revealed that his players came back from international duty unscathed and said of Mario Lemina (muscle):

He’s been training for the last week or ten days, so he’s a lot closer than what he was last time. Whether this game comes a bit quick, not sure.



More detailed information and predicted line-ups can be found in the Team News tab, which will be refreshed soon.

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

A video round-up with Andy and Neale can be found below, with the podcast version available via this link:

337 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Right In The Stanchion
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Is Alex Telles likely to start this weekend? Ultimate differential and United must be good for a CS

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

      Should be starting yes.. Even though Williams may start ahead. But my money is on Telles starting. Irwin commented earlier this week that it is Telles' place to loose now.

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

        Lose*

    2. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      yes, I think so.

  2. Whiskerz
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Mitchell or dallas first on the bench?

    1. keefy59
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Mitchell probably won't start & Dallas will probably concede
      Do you have any starting players in doubt of playing ?

      1. Whiskerz
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Salah

  3. William.gallant
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Son + Kane —> Vardy + Debruyne for -8

    I know it’s not worth it but boy does it look tempting

    1. Phlajo
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Bit even sure I'd do it for free this gw, Son and Kane could easily outscore Vardy and KdB.

      Next GW for a -4 sounds nice though

  4. That Was Easy!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Keep Mo and play Cancelo? Or transfer out for Mane/KDB/Sterling for a -4??

    Already have Bruno (C)

    1. OLB
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Transfer out

    2. Simon69
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Don't transfer out for a hit unless you're captaining the replacement! Cancelo is an excellent bench option.

    3. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Definitely play Cancelo.

  5. Moore FPL
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Does Salah just miss Leicester or Brighton as well? Can't seem to find anything conclusive.

    1. Sweetboi
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      There's nothing conclusive because it all depends on when he returns a negative test.

      1. Moore FPL
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Ah OK, thanks

    2. William.gallant
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      call track and trace pretending to be Salah and see what they say?

    3. BenDavies
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      That's because there is nothing conclusive to find. We don't know until Salah tests negative, which he has not yet. I personally believe he will miss Leicester and Brighton based on the timeline of other Covid-positive players.

      1. OLB
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Agree +1

    4. MMN
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Doesn't the fact that be was able to travel back mean he's tested negative? Or he could come back to the UK before testing negative?

  6. Saka Punch
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    If you had both, who would you captain:

    A) Werner (new)

    B) Bruno (WBA)

    1. Moore FPL
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I will when I get Bruno in, who I'lll be captaining 🙂

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

      A

    3. cheese XL
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Bruno

    4. OLB
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Have both - my captn is B and vice is A

  7. Puncheon Guly
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    I know Cancello is the trendy pick, but i really fancy a punt on Telles for United. Shaw had good attacking stats, and he is a better attacker.

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

      If you think Telles is better value than Coufal, Targett and the likes

  8. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Captain

    A. DCL
    B. Bruno
    C. Ziyech
    D. Grealish

    1. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      B

  9. THFC4LIFE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Jimenez to Vardy worth a hit?

    1. Phlajo
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Not this GW

  10. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Best defender for next 7-10weeks

    A: Robbo
    B: Chilwell
    C: Cancelo

    1. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      B

      1. UnitednationsXI
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        FYI - alreayd have reece

    2. OLB
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Poss good points from having B and C

  11. JELLYFISH
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Anything need doing with this lot:

    Mendy
    Robbo Konsa Lamptey Zouma
    Berkley Zaha Bruno*
    Bamford Kane DCL

    3.2 itb
    0 FTs

    1. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Midfield is weak. Look to improve it after this GW.

      1. JELLYFISH
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Well I’ve got Salah on the bench which doesn’t help. Reluctant to take a hit as my defensive cover is sufficient. Thanks for your feedback

        1. Botman and Robben
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          In that case you are gtg.

  12. melvinmbabazi
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Play Konsa or Lamptey?

    1. JELLYFISH
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Konsa

    2. Mince n Tatties
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Konsa plays, Lamptey 1st sub

  13. zotter
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Bench one of

    A. Klich
    B. Dallas
    C. Lamptey.

    1. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      B

  14. Stormbringer22
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    I hate the fact that with the impending deadline I need to finally make a decision on who to bring in for Salah. Has been avoiding this all week and now I have this pit in my stomach. Bound to be the wrong decision as well

    1. tafrère
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Lmao pessimism at its finest.

    2. The Ilfordian
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Stay relaxed!

    3. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      It's hardly that important. No matter who you bring in, he should score more than Salah this week. What's your choices?

      1. Stormbringer22
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        KDB, Bruno, Ziyech. Think I have settled on KDB as he was my transfer in next week anyway

    4. The Mighty Hippo
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Or do you keep him??

  15. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    A) Sell both Trent & Salah (-4)
    B) Sell just one
    C) Sell none (Play Kilman/Mitchell & Brewster)

    Thanks

    1. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I have already sold Trent and will be selling Salah shortly, so I would go with A

    2. JELLYFISH
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I’d be tempted to shift Trent so B

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks both

  16. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Which combo would you prefer next few weeks

    A: RJames + Chilwell + Barnes + 1.7m
    B: RJames + Cancelo + Son

  17. LanMi
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Why is Maddison not nailed?

    1. Simon69
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Has only started 2 of his last 8. Rodgers rotating midfield options.

  18. tafrère
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    I was all set and done on Salah > Bruno (C).

    And now I don't know anymore. If Bruno blanks and Salah is back GW10 it'll be a huge fail.

    I guess it's what they call "overthinking".

    1. Big Mac 24
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      As plum as His fixture is, Bruno seems to do his damage on the road and has two tidy away games coming up next

    2. Simon69
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Plenty have already done Salah > Bruno (c) so it wouldn't be a massive fail. Free transfer?

      1. tafrère
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        For free yeah.

        It'll be a fail because it could be a 20 pts swing.

        1. Simon69
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Maybe. Wolves after Brighton will be tough... Worth a gamble imo.

  19. JURGENAUT
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    G2g?

    McCarthy
    Chilwell - Saiss - Lamptey
    Bruno (C) - Son - Grealish - Zaha
    Kane - Werner - DCL

    Forster - Justin - Mitchell - Stephens

    GW transfer: Salah > Bruno (C)

    Cheers all

  20. Taegugk Warrior
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    A. Salah to Bruno (-4)
    B. Play Klich
    C. Play Mitchell

  21. JURGENAUT
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Can someone confirm if Werner was pictured in training today please? Likely to play?

    1. Sweetboi
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      He was.

  22. Pacer.
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    who's got some hopes pinned on a bit of a differential this week then

    reckon my lad Bowen has a fine chance for scoring. needs to, on thin ice

  23. Nice to Finally Michu
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Would you rather do
    A) Trossard > Jota -4 [Werner(C)] then Bowen > KdB next week
    B) Trossard > Rashford (C) -4 then Rashford > KdB next week
    C) hold Trossard this week then do Trossard > KdB next week

  24. Vlekz
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Best 3 week punt?

      9.6 or less(whatever money remains stays in the bank, rest of the team is set)

      I have bruno kdb grealish DCL Vardy

      A) rashford
      B) werner
      C)ziyech
      D) richalison
      E)other. If yes whom?

      1. Simon69
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Rash or Rich.

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

        Rich Zaha or JRod

    • trimpos
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      What is the possibility for sterling to start?
      Should i swap him for kdb?

      1. Il Capitano
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Think he'll start

    • Ray In Bruges.
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Bottomed.

      Which 2 to start?

      ASM, Brewster, Justin, Kilman, KWP

    • United84
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Martinez
      James Chilwell Cresswell Lamptey
      Rashford Bruno Son
      Kane DCL Watkins

      Steer Foden Mitchell Anguissa

      3.3M ITB

      Gtg? Anything worth a hit? Correct bench?

    • BOATIES FC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A) Salah and Wilson to Vardy and Ziychek

      B Salah to Bruno (c)
      C Salah to KDB

      Cheers

    • MMN
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Any thoughts on how to use the single transfer this week? Likely Salah or Wilson out with Kilman stepping in for the other. 0 ITB.

      McCarthy
      Bellerin, Zouma, Chillwell
      Zaha, Salah*, Graelish, Son
      Kane, Wilson*, DCL

      Forster, Kilman, Riedewald, Phillips

    • Coaly
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Zouma or James?
      Bamford or Watkins?