Team News

FPL injury and team news updates ahead of Double Gameweek 26

Fantasy Premier League managers considering Everton players for Double Gameweek 26 received some helpful news from the latest round of press conferences.

After appearing as a second-half substitute against Liverpool, Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£7.7m) looks much more likely to start on Monday night.

Carlo Ancelotti said in his Thursday press conference that he and Allan (£5.2m) were “okay” following their recent lay-offs.

“Allan and Dominic [Calvert-Lewin] are OK, they are training regularly. I think that they are available to play for sure from the beginning.” – Carlo Ancelotti

Fantasy managers should keep an eye out for Joshua King (£5.4m) though, who is reportedly edging closer to his first Premier League start for the Toffees.

“He’s not far [from a start]. The important thing for him is to stay fit, his condition is good. He’s working and adapting really well, he will find a place in the first XI in some games.” – Carlo Ancelotti

And anyone backing their Everton assets for Double Gameweek 26 will be mildly encouraged by the latest injury news coming out of the Southampton camp, Oriol Romeu (£4.5m) and Takumi Minamino (£6.0m) joining a long list of players in the physio room.

“We have another two injuries. Oriol Romeu’s season is over. Surgery on Monday means three months out. He has a fracture on his ankle. [His injury] hurts us. I don’t know who plays number six at the weekend. Minamino is out for the weekend with a light muscle injury. It leaves us with Ibrahima (Diallo), Kyle Walker-Peters, Theo Walcott, Michael Obafemi and Will Smallbone injured (the Everton match).” – Ralph Hasenhüttl

“Hamstring (for Minamino). Slight problem in the hamstring. Maybe he comes back next week. It’s not a big injury. We rested him from the beginning after having not played so long would be too much for him. It was very slippery. The pitch was not good in Leeds. After the first movement, he struggled with his hamstring. He finished the game because we could not change anymore but he’s not perfect.” – Ralph Hasenhüttl

Not only will West Bromwich Albion be without Semi Ajayi (£4.8m) through suspension when they host Brighton on Sunday, but they will also miss Robert Snodgrass (£5.6m).

In his Thursday press conference, Sam Allardyce revealed that the decision to rule him out was to avoid running the risk of further damage.

“He wanted to be involved in the squad. The kick in the knee ultimately covered up a slightly bigger problem in his calf, where there was a slight tear. If I send him out on Saturday against Brighton and that calf tears more than it is now, then I would be kicking myself. Cos that would be four or five weeks maybe out. I have taken the decision to tell him to get ready for next Thursday.” – Sam Allardyce

How De Bruyne looked on his Man City return against Arsenal

Pep Guardiola did not go into much detail about team news ahead of Manchester City’s Double Gameweek schedule but provided some useful information on Kevin De Bruyne (£11.8m).

“He’s fully fit. He was fully fit against Gladbach as well. I’m not going to say any differently to how key and important a player he is for us. In the last part of the season, he will be so important.” – Pep Guardiola

Major changes for first Double Gameweek 26 opponents West Ham seem unlikely.

Arthur Masuaku (£4.3m) and Andriy Yarmolenko (£5.5m) remain out while Ryan Fredericks (£4.2m) is “touch and go” with a groin injury which is not thought to be serious.

Gundogan fit to start as De Bruyne returns to City XI and Foden drops to bench 1

Those hoping to invest in Leicester for the Double Gameweek did not receive as helpful an update on James Maddison (£7.3m) as they might have hoped for.

Brendan Rodgers confirmed surgery was not required, pointing instead to fluctuating pain levels dictating the time-frame more than anything else.

“It’s going to be one of those where he doesn’t need anything surgically, it’s just going to be about once the pain dies down. I can’t put a timeline on it. It’s going to be about how he feels. We’re going to have to assess that each day.” – Brendan Rodgers

How Aston Villa fared without Grealish ahead of Double Gameweek 26

Dean Smith was more definitive in his Friday press conference, ruling out Jack Grealish (£7.6m) for the first of Aston Villa’s Double Gameweek 26 matches against Leeds while Matty Cash (£5.0m) and Wesley (£6.0m) remain sidelined.

“He could be back to play against Sheffield United next Wednesday or Wolves next week. We’ll be led by Jack on that.” – Dean Smith

Leeds must continue without defensive midfielder Kalvin Phillips (£4.9m) when they host Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon.

“His injury is in his calf. It’s a place where we have to avoid that he has a recurrence because the recurrence makes the situation worse. So we’re being very cautious so that when he returns, he returns for definite.” – Marcelo Bielsa

Marcelo Bielsa was more positive about Mateusz Klich‘s (£5.2m) involvement following his withdrawal against Southampton. The Leeds manager, who also ruled out Rodrigo (£5.7m) and Robin Koch (£4.3m) on Thursday, said that Klich was “doing pretty well” but that he was unsure whether he will be fit enough for Saturday.

There are very few concerns at Spurs, meanwhile, with Giovani Lo Celso (£6.9m) the only absentee now that Serge Aurier (£5.2m) is “fine” and back in training.

Ole Gunnar Solksjaer could be short some relatively important personnel for Manchester United’s Double Gameweek, notably Scott McTominay (£4.9m) and Edinson Cavani (£7.9m). Daniel James (£6.2m) was the most recent addition to the list of doubts.

“He felt a tweak. We will have to check on him tonight. Then Scott, Donny, Edinson, we hope that they can be available for the weekend – I’m not sure. Paul [Pogba] is still out for a few weeks.” – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

It looks as if Liverpool won’t have to wait too much longer to rely on Diogo Jota (£6.6m) after his long-term absence.

Jurgen Klopp gave a promising update on him in his Friday media briefing although it is hard to say the former Wolves man will be necessarily involved in Double Gameweek 26.

“Diogo [Jota] trained now twice with the team, looks very good but it’s a long time out. So we have to see what we can do with that but in training, it’s really promising.” – Jurgen Klopp

Things were less positive at the other end of the pitch with Fabinho (£5.4m), James Milner (£5.3m) and Jordan Henderson (£5.4m), the latter facing more time off than the other two:

“Fab[inho] is not yet with the team, tomorrow he will have his first session with the team. Same for James Milner. All the others are long-term. The best-case scenario, I don’t know, to be honest. It’s not a quick one. We all hope that it’s still a possibility for him to play a few games this season, but we’ll see.” – Jurgen Klopp

Chelsea will be without Thiago Silva (£5.6m) for the first of their Double Gameweek 26 matches with Thomas Tuchel earning no new injury problems following a midweek win over Atletico Madrid. The only issue the Champions League victory has created for the Blues’ boss is what to do with the in-form Olivier Giroud (£6.7m).

“No more injury concerns. No Thiago Silva cannot play on Sunday. He did an individual session today and one on the pitch which was a big step for him. So I hope he will join the group next week.” – Thomas Tuchel

“All the time (Giroud) deserves to start. He trains very well, he’s a leader in the group and he is a big personality so even when he did not start he deserved to start. But I will not tell you now if we will let him play from the first minute.” – Thomas Tuchel

Fulham’s two matches in Double Gameweek 26 have attracted some interest in their assets. Thankfully, the injury news coming out of Scott Parker’s Friday press conference does not impinge on any of our favourite Fantasy cottagers:

“We’re all good. Mitro comes back into the fold as well. Tom Cairney and Terence Kongolo still need some work.” – Scott Parker

Fulham’s opponents Crystal Palace look likely to be without Wilfried Zaha (£7.1m) once again on Saturday, Roy Hodgson reporting on Friday that the player has been on the training ground today but that he will not be in full training with the rest of the squad until next week.

Burnley manager Sean Dyche had a long list of players to talk through on Friday:

“Woody has been out for a few days now training, so that’s good. J-Rod had a couple of knocks that we’ve been keeping an eye on and he seems fine. Johann [Berg Gudmundsson] not yet, I’ll be surprised if he’s come through it by Sunday. Robbie Brady is a maybe. Barnesy won’t be for Sunday. Erik [Pieters] is touch and go. Dale Stephens trained today so we’re hopeful on that one. Two or three maybe could figure, the rest we’re still waiting on.” – Sean Dyche

Owners of Bukayo Saka (£5.2m) might be somewhat concerned by Mikel Arteta’s recent comments related to his physical condition.

“He’s really fatigued. He’s played a lot of minutes and he hasn’t had much rest. We asked him to go again and produce this moment, and the boy has done it. Let’s see how we are feeling tomorrow. Today the players are still in Greece, we have to travel back on a four-hour flight but we won’t use that as an excuse.” – Mikel Arteta

Tariq Lamptey‘s (£4.6m) comeback edges ever closer based on Graham Potter’s most recent update, in which he revealed good progress building up match fitness in training.

“He’s had a good training session, a good week. We need to see how he reacts tomorrow but there’s a chance that he will be in the squad. He won’t start.” – Graham Potter

Meanwhile, Adam Webster‘s (£4.3m) return from an ankle injury would be “more towards after the international break”.

Callum Wilson (£6.6m) is “three of four weeks away” from a return, Javier Manquillo (£4.2m) is recovering from an ankle injury and Saturday’s meeting with Wolves is “a bit too soon” for Federico Fernández (£4.7m).

1,047 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Forza Papac
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Mee > Digne -4? or bench Mee and start Dallas?

    1. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Start Mee. Could easily get a CS and maybe a goal. You never know.

    2. Nerdlinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Myself and another discussed on last page. If I had the funds I would do that. Sadly I don't so thinking I'll probably start Dallas over Mee

    3. sentz05
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I’m going to just start Mee and bench Dallas

    4. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I think Burnley is in for a CS

    5. Nerdlinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      And there's the fact Dallas has 27pts from his last 2 home games and they play a Villa without Grealish (probably). That's what I'm telling myself anyway

      1. Iwantmorepointsthanks
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        40 from 3 soon hopefully 🙂

    6. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I do take the hit

  2. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Hello all, I expect you’ve seen the news, Mr potato head is going gender neutral

    I just wanted to check that no one was offended by my gravatar ?

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      How about mine?

  3. The Suspended One
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    If Kane is only about 30% owned, it probably makes sense to C Bruno so both players allow rank increase, rather than going all in on Kane and allowing any points Bruno scores to be canceled out for gw rank purposes

    1. Iwantmorepointsthanks
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      This kind of dilemma again: Gutsy or strategic approach?

    2. BobbyDoesNotLook
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      If it is a total coin flip for you then I think you can use that argument. If you think either is at least bit more likely to do better, go for that definitely.

  4. b91jh
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Kane TCers, how many points are you expecting? (Before multiplying)

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Goal assist and a couple bps, 10-12

    2. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I will be happy with 10, 4 appearance points, 1 goal + 4 and 2 bonus

      Any more is great, better to set the bar low I feel to avoid disappointment

    3. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      3 returns

  5. iCon
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    If you still have all your chips left, you really should be using one of them (TC) this week, right?

    1. Sharpify
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A WC to get as many DGWers as possible!

  6. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Lowton to stones
    Or
    Dallas to Dias

    Leaning towards A personally

    1. Iwantmorepointsthanks
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A)

    2. RogDog_jimmy
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A. Dallas has been immense.

  7. Iwantmorepointsthanks
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Which one would you pick for this DGW

    A) Keane
    B) Aina

  8. 7_Dan_7
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who to play out of:
    A) Dallas
    B) Bamford
    C) Raphinha

  9. Defochibe
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Martinez*
    Stones*Lowton*Dallas
    Bruno(VC)*Salah*Gundo*Son*
    Watkins*Kane(C)*Bamford

    Pope* Rapinha Coufal Holding

    Thinking use BB and do -8 for:
    -Coufal to Keane
    -Holding to Targett

    Ok or not?

    1. HNI
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Amazing team bro! Do it as Avl vs eve in dgw 28 possible too. Can advice me below?

  10. Joletouriste
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Would you BB McCarthy, Antonio, Bamford and Ayling? The idea is to WC then after game week 29 and have an cheap bench

    1. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Nah, you'll have better opportunities later surely. Personally I'm BB this week with Areola, Dallas, Raphina and Bamford. I don't see you getting anything from McCarthy, Antonio or Ayling.

  11. Klopp's Kids
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Start Grealish or Bamford?

    Got Raphinha. Think Grealish will be ready for Sheffield.

    1. HNI
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Play Bamford as manager said Sheff or Wolves so could be tricky.. can advice me below?

    2. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Bam. Greal might not be ready for Sheff where as Bam defo will be for Villa.

  12. The Big Fella
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Salutations! Does anybody know if there was any hint that McCarthy would be dropped for Forster this week? I have both and want to know which to sell for Ederson.

  13. MGD
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Ings -> Kane
    Mee -> Neco Williams (fodder)
    DDG -> Forster (Have McCarthy)

    -4

    For this team:

    McCarty
    Cancelo - Stones - AWB
    Salah - Fernandes - Son - Gundo
    Kane (TC) - Bamford

    Forster - Antonio - SmithRow - NecoWillims

    Madness or genius? 🙂

  14. Ali.h
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bottomed.
    Will Pickford play both games or he may sit one of them?

    1. Traction Engine Foot
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I don't know but I think there's much better options anyway

  15. HNI
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Which looks better till gw 29
    1) Salah + Watkins
    2) Barnes/J Rodriguez + Kane (-4)

    1. 7_Dan_7
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      1)
      Do you have Son?

  16. sarnshawn
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who we captaining? Calvert-Lewin worth a shot over Fernandes?