Team News

FPL injury and team news updates ahead of Blank Gameweek 29

There’s a lot less team news to get through this week, with only eight clubs in Premier League action in Blank Gameweek 29.

We’ve got all the injury latest in our weekly press conference round-up below.

Neale and Andy’s video is also now available to view on YouTube:

For more information, check out our Predicted Line-ups page and Injuries and Bans feed.

ASTON VILLA V TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

While there is optimism on Bamford’s fitness, there is still a lot of doubt surrounding the availability of Son Heung-min (muscle) for Gameweek 29.

Speaking ahead of Spurs’ ill-fated trip to Croatia on Thursday, Jose Mourinho said of the Korean’s timeframe for recovery:

I don’t know, I don’t know, but of course, no chance for this one.

The Spurs boss looks to be pointing us in the direction of a (potentially tactical) no-show for Gameweek 29, discussing Son’s chances of representing South Korea over the international break:

If a player is injured and cannot play, a friendly or official, it doesn’t matter the match it is. So if we arrived next week and Sonny is injured and we can obviously prove that to the South Korean Football Association, what is he going to do there? Nothing. So if a player cannot play for the club, he cannot play for the country.

Indeed, speaking to the club media later in the day, Mourinho added:

Sonny has no chance for this match, no chance at all. I even feel it’s very doubtful for the weekend. I believe he will need the international break to recover totally.

Annoyingly, we didn’t get an update on Son’s fitness after the defeat in Zagreb.

Spurs otherwise have a fully fit squad for the Aston Villa game, with Giovani Lo Celso making his return from injury in midweek.

As for Aston Villa, Dean Smith said that he was hopeful of Jack Grealish‘s (leg) recovery ahead of the clash with Spurs.

The Villa talisman has been back on the grass this week and described as “pain-free” but Smith did add that Grealish had not even trained with his team-mates as of Friday, saying:

I’m hopeful for Jack. I’ll leave it until Sunday morning. He’s not trained with us at the moment, but he’s pain-free and he’s running. Ultimately, it will be his decision.

I’m hopeful, but if he doesn’t play I can pretty much guarantee he’ll be ready for the Fulham game after the international break. I know Aston Villa fans will be fretting over whether it’s a long-term injury. It’s not a long-term injury. We’ve been guided by Jack, who’s been suffering the pain. We’ll leave it as late as we can.

Bertrand Traore‘s (rib) prognosis is a little more positive, with Smith saying:

Bert is having an injection and he will train on Saturday, so he should be available for selection come Sunday. He got a whack in the rib, took a tumble over the boards and he was in a lot of pain. He went to hospital but thankfully there was no bleed. He’s just had some painkillers for that and he’ll be ready to train Saturday morning.

Wesley is still building back up to full speed and will feature in a bounce game over the international break, while Kortney Hause is similarly in need of match fitness after his own lengthy lay-off.

FULHAM V LEEDS UNITED

Patrick Bamford has a good chance of recovering from a knock to the hip in time for Leeds’ trip to Craven Cottage, although wasn’t pictured in a training ground video on Thursday.

Speaking to the media, Marcelo Bielsa said:

We think that yes, he will play on Friday. He has a knock on his hip that is painful but we don’t think that it’s going to make him miss the game.

Liam Cooper (illness) looks set to miss out on Friday’s match, however, while Leif Davis and Rodrigo are fresh doubts with minor muscle problems picked up in training.

Bielsa added:

Cooper is sick, Davis has a small articulation problem which is nothing serious. Rodrigo had a contracture yesterday in training which I don’t know if he’s going to be available for the game on Friday. Either way, it’s not an important injury.

Cooper had earlier been ruled out of Scotland’s forthcoming World Cup qualifiers by national team coach Steve Clarke, in doing so implying that he has little chance of featuring in Gameweek 29.

His absence would seem to boost the prospects of Pascal Struijk retaining his place at centre-half, with Bielsa confirming that the budget FPL defender had come through his earlier-than-expected return from injury against Chelsea unscathed.

Robin Koch is fit again, but after a lengthy injury lay-off and after only featuring for 45 minutes for the under-23s earlier this week, his manager said the Whites would “have to be careful” about a first-team comeback.

Scott Parker will be able to name an unchanged side for this match, with no new injuries to report from the Fulham camp and Tom Cairney (knee) still sidelined.

Parker said in his pre-match conference call:

The squad’s all good at the moment, no new fresh injury worries. Tom Cairney is still a little bit off so he won’t be involved.

In the written section of his press conference, Scott Parker later confirmed that Bobby De Cordova-Reid (knock/hamstring) – who missed the defeat to Manchester City – would also sit this game out.

BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION V NEWCASTLE UNITED

Brighton could be able to call upon Dan Burn for their relegation six-pointer against Newcastle United, with the hamstring injury that forced him off against Southampton not as serious as first feared.

Graham Potter told reporters on Thursday:

He’s responded well. I think he’ll train tomorrow, we’re hopeful he will. So he could be available for the weekend, that’s good news for us.

Striker Aaron Connolly is also an option as a substitute after making a swift recovery from a rib injury – although off-field indiscretions could still cost him a place in the matchday squad.

Tariq Lamptey (hamstring) and Solly March (knee) are long-term absentees, with Adam Webster (foot) not expected back until after the international break.

Allan Saint-Maximin (groin) and Fabian Schar (knee) remain absent ahead of Newcastle’s trip to Brighton but there was positive injury news from the Magpies’ camp to report, with Callum Wilson (hamstring) and Miguel Almiron (knee) both back on the grass.

Steve Bruce told the media:

They’re both back on the grass. We still think with Callum that the international beak is at the right time but he’s well into his rehabilitation, he’s back on the grass.

Almiron trained for the first time yesterday, we’ll see how he is. He’s got a chance – we’ll see.

WEST HAM UNITED V ARSENAL

Saka, Aubameyang return to Arsenal starting XI but Smith Rowe absent from squad

Bukayo Saka will be assessed for hamstring tightness ahead of the trip to West Ham, having been substituted in the north London derby last weekend and then having missed out against Olympiacos.

Mikel Arteta had earlier in the week declared that the young winger was “much better” but his subsequent comments on Thursday were less positive:

We spoke yesterday and he wasn’t ready to be involved today. We made that decision and we will make that decision for Sunday against West Ham, then we will talk to the doctors at the national team to decide what we do.

On Friday morning, Arteta added:

Everybody was fine after the [Olympiacos] game, we will assess them this morning. Regarding [Bukayo Saka], in the next two days, we will know if he is available to play against West Ham and after that we will make the decision on what to do.

Willian had also missed out on Thursday because of a tight calf, with further news awaited on the Brazilian.

Arteta has reiterated that no problem remains with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang after disciplinary issues caused him to sit out the north London derby, saying ahead of the striker’s 90-minute run-out in Europe:

We talked, everything has been resolved in a really positive way so we move forward.

Overlooked Fornals can benefit from West Ham's appealing fixture run

David Moyes said that West Ham’s injury situation remains similar to what it was last weekend, with Pablo Fornals (knock) said to be “improving”.

Longer-term absentees Angelo Ogbonna, Arthur Masuaku and Andriy Yarmolenko aren’t too far away from a return but will sit this one out.

Jesse Lingard is available after being ineligible to face his parent club in Gameweek 28.

1,718 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Son or Bale(-4)
    First to 5 wins

    1. Pukkipartyy
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Bale

    2. My heart goes Salalalalah
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Son won't play right right?

    3. Simon69
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Funny as it mentions in this very article that Son has no chance of playing.

      1. 1justlookin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 10 days ago

        It doesn't so no chance for this weekend though

        1. Simon69
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 10 days ago

          Right. Highly unlikely though.

    4. Cookie Kid
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Son

  2. winchester
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    G'day lads, have 2ft WC31. What moves to do here lads? cheers.

    martinez
    dallas veltman targett
    raphinha son*
    bamford watkins

    pope gundo* dcl* cancelo* dias*

    a) cancelo+salah -> cresswell+lingard or bale
    b) salah+dcl -> lingard+kane
    c) salah+gundo -> lingard+bale

  3. My heart goes Salalalalah
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Gundo to Auba for a hit worth it?

    1. Cookie Kid
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Not for me - Arsenal fans aren't even sure if he will start

  4. Pukkipartyy
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Play Martinez or Areola?

    1. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Areola but it's really close

    2. Il Capitano
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Areola, just about

      1. Pukkipartyy
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 10 days ago

        i have 3 Leeds and 2 Spurs if that matters.

    3. Jimmy Boy
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      I've got both and I'm playing Areola but mainly because I already have Konsa if Villa keep out Spurs

  5. El Presidente
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Lets go!!!

  6. Cookie Kid
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    For next 2 GWs (to start in both):

    A) Reguillon avl new
    B) Dunk NEW mun

    1. PascalCygan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      I had Reguilon for his 10 points v Burnley but he's disappointed otherwise.

      But he has the better fixtures and higher ceiling, so A.

      1. Cookie Kid
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 10 days ago

        Thanks Pascal!

  7. 1justlookin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Still undecided whether to bring in Bale, Auba or Lingard for SON.

    I'm actually tempted to keep Son, now.

    Any thoughts, guys?

  8. FPL ZB
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Gundo to Auba for a hit? Have ten playing otherwise

    1. FPL ZB
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Or any other midfielder of any price? Don’t have any West Ham attackers

      1. moment
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 10 days ago

        On the one hand, hits only cost 2pts this week (kinda). On the other, 10's probably enough. So I wouldn't.

        1. In a Rush
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 10 days ago

          Lingard

  9. thepirates
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Got 2ft, no WC left and thinking of saving FH. Either its Stones/Cancelo for a WHU def or Son for bale. Would like to roll a transfer, any suggestions?

    Martinez
    Shaw X - Veltman - Dallas - Cancelo X
    Raph - Son - Gundogan X
    Kane - Watkins - Bamford
    Bench: Aerola - Fernandes - Stones

  10. PascalCygan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    How do these moves look?

    Stones + Gundogan/Salah > Dunk + Lingard (free)

    Still got my WC left, probably use it 31 or maybe even 34. Probably 31. Anyway...

    Currently 2FT 0.5ITB
    Martinez
    Reguilon Dallas Coufal
    Raphinha Son*
    Kane Watkins Bamford*

    McCarthy Fernandes Salah Gundogan Stones Cancelo

    Thanks!

    1. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Your moves look good, veltman is the cheaper option to dump on the bench of you think there is good chance that you might use wc in 34

      1. PascalCygan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 10 days ago

        Thanks, yes, considering Veltman too!

  11. Pep's Money Laundry
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Start one (on FH)

    A. Lacazette
    B. Auba

    Auba didn't play last league game with Lacazette providing more balance. Plus Auba played last night and Lacazette didn't. So not sure who to go for

    1. Reggie Nainggolan
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Auba imo

      1. FPL Theorist
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 10 days ago

        Yeah, Laca was a nightmare to own earlier in the season with the pre-60 minute subs off. I suppose there are downsides to Auba too, but I'm giving him a chance.

    2. PascalCygan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Tricky. With the paucity of options for a FH this week, couldn't you go for both?

    3. My neck my back my Saed Kol…
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      From an arsenal fan id play auba. I'm not even looking at getting laca in.

  12. Il Capitano
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    No FH - No WC

    2FT 1.8m ITB

    Martinez
    Targett White
    ESR Raphinha
    Kane Bamford

    (Fabri - Digne Stones Cancelo Gundogan Bruno Salah DCL)

    Losing the plot with this GW already. Think I might do Cancelo > Cresswell and Salah > Lingard and ignore Bale. Can then use the leftover cash to switch Raphinha to KDB/Salah and Azpi for Targett in 31. Any brighter ideas?

  13. JustPark
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Never thought this day would come but captain Bale or Lingard? I do have Kane if that matters. Son too.

  14. Ginola
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Ship Dias or Cancelo for Dunk?

    1. FPL ZB
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Cancelo if you don’t like your bench, Dias if you do I reckon

    2. Drop Dead Tsimikas
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      I did Cancelo >> Dallas. So, him.

      1. In a Rush
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 10 days ago

        Cancelo

  15. Reggie Nainggolan
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    When is the best time to FH if you're not planning to this gw?

    1. JustPark
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      33 or something iirc.

    2. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Gw33 is another blank plus gw35 and/or gw37/gw38 could be a double

      1. Reggie Nainggolan
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 10 days ago

        Thanks

  16. Netters2018
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Who is with me La(c)azette!

  17. Benditlike
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    I have 5 players for this GW and two transfers. Got WC and FH. Any reason to not use FH now?

    1. Maddamotha
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      I'd use it if I had it

  18. FantasyHero
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Do we think traore will play? If so I would like to keep him and save FT else would bring in raphina or bale

    1. Hoblito
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      I'm with you. Smith said that he will have an injection today and ''should'' be available, but is it enough for the starting XI and if so, will he last long enough?

  19. Maddamotha
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Would you do :
    Salah and DCL > Kane, Lingard for free?

    1. In a Rush
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      I would yes

    2. Hoblito
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Yes. Kane and Lingard have a match in BGW29, while Salah and DCL don't.

  20. TheDragon
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Antonio or Watkins?

    1. Drop Dead Tsimikas
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Antonio.

      1. TheDragon
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 10 days ago

        This is for 29 and 30?

        1. Drop Dead Tsimikas
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 10 days ago

          Yes. Fulham are a better defensive team than FPL towers would have you believe with their fixture rating and Watkins has been so incredibly wasteful in front of goal that the only reason he's still in my team is competing priorities elsewhere and an unwillingness to spend.

  21. Deulofail
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Who do you think is more likely to start?

    A) Auba
    B) Laca

    NB: "both" doesn't answer the question 🙂

    1. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      B

    2. My neck my back my Saed Kol…
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Auba

  22. toerag
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    best son replacement,
    money no object.

    I have bale and lookman atm

    cheers

    1. toerag
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      just for this week btw

    2. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Raphinha for this week

  23. Mattymo23
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Sorry to ask but % chance of Son starting?

    1. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Some will say 0%

      I think 20%

    2. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Very unlikely.

    3. Reggie Nainggolan
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      No chance

  24. Danny Fischarge
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Any advice would be greatly appreciated guys....

    My Current Squad with 2ft 0.6itb

    Martinez, Pope
    Dallas, Holding, Konsa, Cancelo, KWP
    Raphinha(V) Son, Salah, Fernandes, Gundogan
    Bamford, Kane(C), DCL

    I was thinking getting rid of Salah for Bale or Lingard?

    1. Gizzachance
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Could pay off, salah blank then ars
      Bale villa an new
      Lingard ars wolves

    2. Hoblito
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Makes sense, yes.

  25. Shteve
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Bottomed on old article :

    Any love for Antonio(c)?
    Have had it on him all week but a bit surprised he's so far down the Captain's poll.
    I know his last couple of games haven't been great but at home against arsenal is surely a good fixture for a goal scorer these days..

    1. Thomas Magnum
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Interested to see others feedback on this, can only presume its due to Kane being the most popular and Lingard being the more in form West Ham man and could still be on pens but Antonio is a known scorer who could go off any week so surprised he's being overlooked so much

      1. Shteve
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 10 days ago

        Not much interest so by the lack of responses! Since posting, I've actually convinced myself that I'm leaving it on Antonio. My gut is telling me he's the best pick so I'm going to go with it.

        1. Thomas Magnum
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 10 days ago

          Shame as long worded comments seem to scare people off, especially on matchday lol but always go with the gut instinct!

          1. Shteve
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 10 days ago

            Yep, "Ant(c), yay or nay" might have got more interest!

  26. Disco Stu
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Is there any defender worth taking a hit for this weekend?

    1. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Dunk 😉

      1. In a Rush
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 10 days ago

        Dallas as well taking into account the game against Sheffield United in gw30

  27. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Smith actually said that Jack hadn't trained "fully" with us which suggests to me that he is close to starting on Sunday.

    1. Reggie Nainggolan
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      I think he'll make the squad. but gut feeling is he maybe on the bench if he still hasn't trained with the team yet

  28. Reggie Nainggolan
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Martinez
    Burn*
    Son** Ralp
    Bamford* Kane Watkins

    2FT available to make it 9 or -4 for 10. (Think Burn & Bamford will play but not Son)

    Planning on getting Dallas & Veltman & maybe -4 for Auba/Bale(but would mean selling Salah who I'd want back but no WC)

    Any suggestions?

  29. Tonyawesome69
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    What do we think the average hit will be for active players this GW?

    1. Jimmy Boy
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Wouldn't be surprised to see a lot of people panicking and taking -8's and -12's which will skew it a bit.

  30. AC Yew
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Best GK on FH?

    1. In a Rush
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Sanchez for me if on Fh

      1. Hoblito
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 10 days ago

        Sanchez