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. Mr_Barbs
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Pick one to bring in - with remaining fixtures in mind
    A) Tierney
    B) Reguilon

    1. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      A

    2. sunzip14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      A

    3. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      A

  2. sunzip14
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Bed time for me. RMFHT before that, please.

    Sanchez
    Dunk, Dallas, Reguilon
    Bale, Auba, Lingard, Trossard, Raphinha
    (K)ane, Bamford

    Leno, Antonio, Tierny, Cresswell,

    1. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      I would get double Fulham as a punt over Raph and Bamford as Leeds haven't scored much lately and Fulham have been very good

  3. Ohh1454
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Would DCL to Antonio be worth a hit ?

    1. sunzip14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Would want DCL next gw. So, No for me.

    2. Shipstontrev
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Everton home to Palace next game, so no.

  4. janlu0
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Only got 4 players this week. No choice but to use wildcard or take -12+ hit. Any suggestions? BB chip still available.
    Martinez McCarthy
    Digne Stones Maguire Dias Kilman
    Salah Gundo Fernandes JWP Raphina
    DCL Kane Watkins

  5. Pukki Blinders
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Salah to Trossard for a hit before a wc31?

    1. OPTA FPL
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      yup

    2. Rog.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      I did salah -> Auba with same wc plans but would do that too

  6. PascalCygan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    WC31 still seem a good option?

    We'll get more out of that than WC34 after BGW33, right?

    Haven't really wrapped my head around it fully but 34 seems too late to WC.

    1. sunzip14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      I'm doing 31

      1. PascalCygan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 days ago

        Cool, that's been my plan in the main. Would have to downgrade from my triple City and Spurs in any case at some point!

  7. FPL price manipulators are …
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    There's no point. All our teams are almost identical, even casuals.

    1. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Hits may be the defferntial.. Also if you are not going to captain kane.

    2. moment
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      I suspect the green / red arrow will ultimately come down to how many of the same set of players you have vs how many hits it took to get you there.

      Automatic green if you FH I suspect.

    3. DBW - Slug's Mortgage …
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      What are you talking about? So many teams won’t have more then 5 players. I only own 7 and am not scared like you

  8. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Considering doing these moves for a hit to get me to 10 players and partially help with GW31 & 33 too:

    Gundo > Lingard
    Salah > Auba
    Cancelo > Cresswell

    a) All 3 for a hit
    b) Just 2 (if so, which)
    c) Just 1 (if so, which) and save 2FT for GW30

    1. Konstaapeli
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      A

      1. Konstaapeli
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 days ago

        Or B with Auba & Creswell

    2. Corona is not good 4 U
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      I think 1 & 3.

  9. Corona is not good 4 U
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Which transfers you would do?

    1) McCarthy to Sánchez for - 4
    2) Digne to Dallas for - 4
    3) Salah to Lingard for - 4
    4) Vydra to Lacazette for - 4

    Thanks!

    1. jaywills
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      A or B, probably A

  10. jaywills
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Should I Do it?

    A) Yes
    B) No

    Dias, Salah, DCL out -> Veltman, Bale, Kane in? (-4)

    1. Rog.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      If you still have a wildcard definitely

  11. The Mighty Hippo
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    My head's melting trying to finalise my FH team. Shall I just leave it alone, or any final tweaks to be made?

    Sanchez
    Dunk | Dallas | Reguilon
    Aubameyang | Bale | Raphinha | Trossard | Lingard
    Kane | Lacazette
    -------------------------------------------------------
    Areola | Bamford | Adarabioyo | Tierney

    1. Konstaapeli
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      I'd play Tierney ahead Reguilon

    2. sunzip14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Same team as mine except I have Bamford instead of Laca.

  12. tabby98
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Someone help please

    Martinez
    Dallas, Dunk
    Raphinha, Lingard, Son*
    Kane, Bamford*, Antonio

    Johnstone, Cancelo, Stones, Digne, Bruno, Gundo

    Any transfers worth taking a hit for?

    1. jaywills
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Id stick

  13. Mighty Banana
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    This question has probably been asked countless times, so apologies in advance.

    Son to Bale for -4, is it worth it?

    Including Son, I have 8 players for this week.

    1. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Id do it yeah

  14. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    For free: Salah, Kilman > Bale, Dallas --- Do it?

    Would give me:
    Martinez
    Dallas, Coufal
    Bale, Raph, Lingard
    Kane, Bamford

    1. jaywills
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Yep

      1. jdp219
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 days ago

        cheers

  15. Stimps
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Captain Raphina or Lingard?

    1. Ohh1454
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Lingard

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Lingard

    3. Konstaapeli
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Raph

    4. jaywills
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Raph for sure

  16. Hart-ake
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Trossard captain? I think I'm about to pull the trigger. Why the hell not.

  17. FPLShaqiri
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    a) Sterling -> Bale
    b) Dias -> Ayling (or a Fulham def)

    In GW30 I'll play Dias (or his replacement). If I hold Sterling he'll be my transfer out in GW30 (maybe for Havertz or Mane). If I remove Sterling now then I don't have an obvious move for GW30 (assuming Son is fit) before wildcarding in GW31.

  18. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    A- Gundogan -> Lingard (-4)
    B- Son-> Aubameyang (-4)
    C- None
    Start-
    1-Emi
    2-Sanchez

    1. Super John McGinn-
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      C2

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

        already own Dunk

  19. Van der Faart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    2FT 1.4 ITB

    Holding to Dallas
    Son to Bale
    DCL to Bamford (-4)

    Would give me

    Meslier/Martinez
    Dallas Cresswell
    Bale Saka Raphinha Lingard
    Kane Watkins Bamford

    Good moves?

    1. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Actually I can't do that as it gives me 4 Leeds players. Back to the drawing board

  20. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    RP

    Do you expect Cancelo to start vs Leicster in GW30? (asking for my transfer plans this week before BB30)

    1. Zladan
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Hard to know.

      I am selling my anyway. Will have the following 3 City as soon as I can:

      Stones KDB Gundogan

      1. Eleven Hag
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 days ago

        Cheers

  21. GROBARI
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Is Bamford playing?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Comeback at 19:00

  22. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    So who will be this GW’s Josh King

    1. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Lookman or Loftus cheek

  23. UpTheCherries
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Auba or trossard on FH?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Trossard- not sure Auba starts

  24. Pukki Blinders
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Have Konsa, who to start in goal?

    A. Martinez v Spurs
    B. Aerola v Leeds

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      B

  25. mdm
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    On FH:

    A. Trossard
    B. Raphinha

    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      B

    2. Zladan
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      No reason why you wouldn’t have both on a FH surely.

  26. Konstaapeli
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Gundo or Foden out for Raphinha?

    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Foden

      1. Konstaapeli
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 days ago

        I have pretty good bench cover so can take Foden benchings. But when he starts I think he has better potential. Also he's a bit of a differential on my ML

  27. Ha.
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Bench 1

    1. Watkins.
    2. Trossard
    3. Raphinha

    1. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      2

      1. Zladan
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 days ago

        Trossard is the first you’d pick to start of those lol

    2. Zladan
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      1

    3. The Mighty Hippo
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Watkins

  28. DBW - Slug's Mortgage …
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    How crazy is it to captain Burn over the below list?

    Kane
    Smith Rowe
    Raphina
    Bamford
    Konsa
    Martinez

    1. Konstaapeli
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Very

    2. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Burn is doubtful

    3. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      😆

    4. sunzip14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      You want to get Burned?

    5. The Mighty Hippo
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      It would give you bragging rights forever if it worked out.

  29. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Start Jlingz or Raph?

    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Both

    2. @persecuted_by_mods
        3 years, 9 days ago

        Raph

    3. @persecuted_by_mods
        3 years, 9 days ago

        Do you guys think Bale starts?

        1. La Roja
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 9 days ago

          No Lamela and most probably Son. Starts

          1. Zladan
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 9 days ago

            Son?

            1. @persecuted_by_mods
                3 years, 9 days ago

                He's injured

                1. Zladan
                  • 6 Years
                  3 years, 9 days ago

                  Exactly

              • La Roja
                • 12 Years
                3 years, 9 days ago

                Meant no Son

            2. @persecuted_by_mods
                3 years, 9 days ago

                Cheers was wondering if a Moura bergwijn scenario night occur, easy swap out if it does

              • @persecuted_by_mods
                  3 years, 9 days ago

                  It made sense to me anyway both out so bale likely to start!

              • Zladan
                • 6 Years
                3 years, 9 days ago

                Yeah I’d say he is nailed on after only playing 30 minutes last night.

                1. @persecuted_by_mods
                    3 years, 9 days ago

                    Thanks, probs worrying over nothing