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. JBG
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    This is my team now:

    Mccarthy-Steer
    Maguire-Zouma-Coady-Coufal-Mitchell
    Fernandes-Rashford-Son-Grealish-Bissouma
    Jimenez-DCL-Adams

    I took a -4 to bring in Maguire and Rashford for TAA and Salah. Was going to WC GW10, but wondering if I should just WC now, to save that -4 hit. Think it is my 3rd or 4th hit this season already.

    My WC team would look like this.

    Martinez-4.0
    Telles-Zouma-Coufal-Mitchell-N.Williams
    Fernandes-Rashford*-Kdb-Grealish-Bissouma
    DCL-Watkins-Vardy

    *Maybe Zyiech over Rashford if I WC.

    Thoughts?

    1. Vlekz
        3 years, 4 months ago

        You could get more points with your wc team but I still wouldn't wc this late for so little

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

          This late? As in, I missed price rises and falls? Forgot to mention that I would have 1.1m left itb on my WC.

          1. Vlekz
              3 years, 4 months ago

              Yes, missed almost all the price changes.
              Next week can load up on city and lei. And have a clearer idea on salah

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

                True. Guess I'll just hold it for now.

      • Thewonderfulgame
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Odds of Phil Foden starting (following blistering appearance for Lions)?

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

          4/6

      • Dacra
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Rashford to Bruno for - 4?

        Might not get 11 out..

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

          Rashford will play.

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

            This. I own Bruno and would almost prefer Rashford this GW... Could easily haul.

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

          Worst transfer I've seen all week. No.

          1. Dacra
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Maybe then? 😀

        3. Peter Ouch
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          No way

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

          Long term, yes.

      • Peter Ouch
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Salah will go for sure and ill get him back for the 12th GW

        I will also get rid of Son next week.

        I'll bring KdB and Ziyech on

        Who should I prioritise this week?

        A Kdb
        B Ziyech?

        Thanks lads

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

          B.

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

        Bottomed, again.

        Which 2 to start?

        ASM, Brewster, Justin, Kilman, KWP

        Thanks all.

      • AF90
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Robertson, Pulisic, Salah -> PVA, Fernandes, KDB -4?

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

          Yes

      • Joey Tribbiani
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Is James gonna start?

        1. Joey Tribbiani
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          chelseas James

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

            Probably yeah.

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

          Ask Fatso

        3. Jambot
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          I can see Azpi getting a game but hoping James starts

      • Bury94
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Think I'm gonna captain DCL over Bruno, anyone with me?

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

          me

        2. Peter Ouch
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Do it

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

          tempted by Richarlison

        4. Bleh
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          I’ve got it on him currently yeah.

        5. Jambot
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          I just can’t bring myself to trust DCL with C so Bruno for me. Probably letting my personal history with DCL cloud my judgement though

      • ThisTimeNxtYrRodney
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Yep but I dont have bruno.

      • LLoris
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Who should I replace TAA with??

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

          Cancelo

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

          Cancelo

        3. Bleh
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Chilwell

      • OverTinker
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Martinez
        Robo Chilwell Semedo Mitchell Dunne
        Bruno Grealish Son Zaha Burke
        Wilson DCL Jiminez

        0 FT and 2.4 itb (and already made a hit)

        Wilson to Vardy for a hit? Considering I don't have bench and Wilson might not make not start.

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

          Mitchell might start and cover Wilson if he doesn't start.

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

            if i were certain about Mitchel then it would have been ok but now I fear both will not start

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

              Just read this on Twitter:

              Wilson has trained the last few days but Bruce will monitor any risks

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

                Would you keep him for his fixtures?

      • Wılly
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        I own Rashford, Jota, Sterling.

        Do you prefer:

        A. Double MU (with Bruno)
        B. Double MC (with KDB)
        C. Double LIV (with Mane)

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

          Not B

      • JURGENAUT
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Chances of Saiss starting?

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

          50/50

      • King Kohli
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Worth a -8?

        Salah + Maupay + Robertson > Bruno + Vardy + Creswell

        Martinez Steer
        Robbo Chilwell Konsa Kilman Mitchell Salah Sterling Son Jrod Anguissa
        Dcl Maupay Bamford

        1 FT 0.5 itb

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

          I have Salah, Robertson and Wilson. And I want Bruno, Vardy and Dias. But don't know if its worth -8 or not

      • SomeoneKnows
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Does the fact that Salah is flagged in red mean his price can't drop anymore?

        Already playing 4 seasons but never understood this bit

        1. Vlekz
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Ferguson dropped today, so I think it just slows the drop down but doesn't prevent it

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

            yep can drop now ,price frozen after red flag is lifted...

        2. Every Dog Has Its Day
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          So what are you doing with Salah?

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

            keeping

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

              good time to strengthen your bench with xmas period around the corner.

            2. Every Dog Has Its Day
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              3 years, 4 months ago

              That's what I'm on too

          2. Baron Penguin
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Sold for Bruno (-4). Sold him for what I paid for him so easy to get back.

          3. Bleh
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Selling, don’t think he’ll make it back in time for Brighton either. Will bring him back vs Wolves.

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

              Thinking of selling and swapping Bruno to Salah for Fulham

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

                Yep will definitely have back for Fulham.

          4. g40steve
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Who, what’s up with him?

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

            Already sold for Rashford.

        3. Baron Penguin
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Captain?

          A.Ziyech
          B.Bruno

          Bench order?

          1.Ayling/Dallas (one of them plays, have both, don't ask)
          2.Podence
          3.Justin

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

            His dad is washing elephant?

        4. Slitherene
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Help me choose one??

          A. Ryan/McCarthy + Targett
          B. Martinez + Lamptey

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

            I like B

        5. FPL Tikka
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Bench 2:

          A) Coufal
          B) Bellerin
          C) Kilman
          D) Soucek
          E) C. Wilson

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

            C and E

        6. Dacra
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Any chance Saiss plays?

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

          Is Martial out?

          And news on Rashford’s availability?

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

            Rashford is available, not sure on Martial

        8. Crunchie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Can someone who knows tell me the answer. If salah is a red flag does his value now drop?

          I was going to drop on Wednesday but waited until the final team news.

          It doesn't look good until Fulham????

          Will drop to KDB (but tempted to drop Son to Fernandes as well as his next three games doesn't look too bad. (still got Kane for one more week(at least)).

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

            His price can drop while red flagged but the threshold is doubled so he needs many more transfers out.

            Once the flag is removed, his price is protected for 10 days.

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

              Thanks

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

            look up

        9. Sultan Saeed
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          4-3-3:

          McCarthy (Steer)

          Chilwell, Cresswell, KWP, Taylor. (Ferguson)

          Son, Hamez, Grealish. (Salah, Bissouma)

          Kane, DCL, Watkins.

          0FT, 2.2ITB. - Wildcard available.

          Thoughts on this team? Thinking to hold wildcard now till GW16 if possible.

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

          Went for Rashford in the end, best of luck all!

          Martinez
          Chilwell Coufal Kilman
          Rashford(c) Son Rodríguez Grealish
          Kane Werner Jimenez

          Button Justin Bissouma Ferguson 0FT 2.7 ITB

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

            Good captain choice. Good luck!

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

            hey mate, I don't like the Rashford(c) pick. It's not like West Brom push forward.

            Rashford has got his points this season vs Newcastle and Brighton. Bizarrely, Newcastle were attacking when Rashford hit them on the break.

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

          all these problems and queries ,most interesting ,looking forward to all the outcomes,me i have so many thoughts ive decided to do nothing innit,2 transfers next week all will be as clear as mud by then lol,good luck all ,its been tricky...

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

            Good luck mate. My head is battered as well

        12. Gunner1290
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          On a wildcard who is the best 4 starting defenders to have, regardless of price

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

            Chilwell Cresswell Cancelo Telles

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

              This

          2. Vlekz
              3 years, 4 months ago

              C'mon work a bit harder for your wc

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

                Lolllll. Pick 4 of my 5 defenders and I'll pick the 3.9 bench fodder.

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

            Is it to far gone now, or could it be saved without a wildcard or should i push the WC button?

            GKP: Martínez (Walton)
            DEF: Alexander-Arnold, Chilwell, Walker-Peters (Taylor) (Mitchell)
            MID: Grealish, Podence, Salah, Son (Reed)
            FWD: Calvert-Lewin, Werner, Wilson

            Transfer plan without wildcard is Salah, Podence, Alexander-Arnold -> B Fernandez, De Bruyne, CouFal
            This leave me with still 1,3m to fix some more errors next GW.

          4. Thewonderfulgame
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            CANCELO or TELLES?

            Cancelo: Cons: Spurs capable of scoring >1, some rotation risk
            Telles: Less favorable long term fixtures, but on Free Kicks, possibly penalties..

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

              Cancelo without question.

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

              Bruno retains majority set pieces + 100% keeps pens.

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

              Cancelo. Not sure if Telles would get pens off Bruno. He will be taking corners and the occasional FK though.

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

              Telles won’t be taking penalties away from Bruno.
              Cancelo easy

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

              Eying up owning both. Cancelo the priority.

          5. Sc007
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Is this worth a -4?
            Salah to Bruno
            Trent to chilwell
            Zaha to ziyech

            1. FPL DONKEY
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 4 months ago

              I've done Salah to Bruno(C) but plan to WC Salah back in next GW

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

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