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. Peekay
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Aubameyang or Bale?

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

      Bale if you have to

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

    GTG?

    Martinez
    Dallas Veltman Reguilon Tierney
    Trossard (c) Raphinha Son*
    Kane (v) Bamford Watkins

    Areola Gundogan Bruno Stones

    £5.7m itb

  3. Gideons Rolling Another One
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Debating whether to free hit or save it... The current team for the GW:

    Martinez
    Konsa, Struijk
    Son,
    Antonio, Bamford, Kane

    Got to play the free chip isn't it?

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

      Yes#, play it

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

      Surely you play it. You could be reduced to 5 players.

      FH could be worth 6 players here so definitely use it.

    3. Gideons Rolling Another One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Yep that's what I'm thinking, just debating if there may be a better opportunity whenever this double GW is

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

      I played it with similar team. Had 3 Villa defense and Son. I also had Raph+ Lingard but no Antonio.

  4. 1966
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Would you rather keep Stones or Dias? Thanks in advance.

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

      Dias

    2. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Dias

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

      Dias seems less prone to rotation.

      Stones the better option when playing though.

      I have stones and happy enough.

      1. 1966
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 days ago

        That’s it, Stones has scored more but Dias more likely to start, genuine 50/50.

    4. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Stones. CL rotation.

      1. 1966
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 days ago

        CL rotation?

      2. 1966
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 days ago

        Is that Champions League rotation? You not think Dias will play more Premier League than Stones?

        1. Twisted Saltergater
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 9 days ago

          I think Champions Leaguebis more important to Pep and Man City than anything else so Dias will play in that competition.

          1. 1966
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 9 days ago

            Yea I agree the CL is more important but Pep hasn’t rested Dias before other CL games but he has rested Stones every other game since Laporte was back. With Dias playing centre back, theres less chance of fatigue than other positions.

            1. Twisted Saltergater
              • 14 Years
              3 years, 9 days ago

              True, but Pep’s also been forging a CB partnership and trying out Laporte with Dias. I think Dias and Stones are his preferred two. Later in the season I can see Laporte and Stones playing the odd PL game if they’re comfortable.

              1. 1966
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 6 Years
                3 years, 9 days ago

                Yea I can see Laporte and Stones playing together and even Ake given a game or two of the easy home games but still think Dias will play more overall.

          2. Bushwhacker
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 9 days ago

            At this stage both will.

            1. 1966
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 9 days ago

              Don’t think I can keep both because I need to get a defender for this blank game week. I have Cresswell, Dallas and Digne for my other defenders. Digne has Palace at home next so don’t really want to swap him yet.

  5. lugalooch
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Isit worth taking a -8 to get 10 players out on the pitch this gw?

    Hits have never been my thing lol

    Thanks

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

      Pereira, C.Taylor, Gundo >

      Creswell, Dallas/ Tosin, Auba

      If it helps

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

      Personally I don't think so. Put it this way, taking another hit for a player some say is a -2. Sure, but also, in order to make any gains you need that incoming player to bank 6pts at least. Even if they get 6pts thats only a 2pt gain? Is that worth it.

    3. JohnnyRev7
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      I'd do it in your situation. Only 11 GWs to go. It's time to go big or go home. Good luck whatever you decide. 🙂

  6. Deulofail
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Do Lacazette or Auba have international duties after this weekend?

    1. NATSTER
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Good question.

    2. linkafu
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Auba yes, Laca no

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

        Thanks. Do you know if Auba will be going or not, given Corona restrictions?

  7. b91jh
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Only considering this week... (could bench anyone for gw30)

    A) Gundo to Lingard -4
    B) Gundo to Trossard -4
    C) DCL to Maupay -4
    D) DCL to Watkins -4
    E) no hit with 9 bgw players

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

      E

  8. Najj
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Cresswell or Dunk this week?

    No WC left..

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

      Creswell

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

      Cresswell

    3. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Prefer Dunk

    4. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Dunk

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

    Currently at 20k and going for punts:
    I don't have Kane and going for a captain from:
    A) Bale
    B) Maupay
    C) Raphinha
    Any thoughts?

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

      C

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

        Cheers mate

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

      A

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

        It's my current pick! Cheers mate

  10. Forgetmeknot
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Sorry bottomed few pages back

    5-4-1 on FH madness or (boring) magic?

    1. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      I was on this formation until today but decided against it as plenty of things can go wrong with 5 defenders. So will probably go with 4 max

      1. Forgetmeknot
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 days ago

        Thanks yeh - doesn’t feel natural but then again can’t see many goals in the fixtures.

        Think I’ll target attacking fullbacks and let subs come into play if needs be

  11. denial
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Play Martinez or Sanchez?

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

      Martinez.

      1. denial
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 9 days ago

        Ta

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

      Sanchez

    3. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Martinez just

    4. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Sanchez

  12. NejiHyuuga01
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    G2G? Having a benching headache right here. On FH

    Sanchez

    Reguilon Dallas Dunk

    Raphinha Auba Trossard Bale

    Kane Bamford Lacazette

    (Areola, Tierney, Lookman , Cresswell)

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

      Not worried about Auba rest?

      1. NejiHyuuga01
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 days ago

        Worried much, but no Willian and potentially Saka makes me confident

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

      G2G. I wish I had benching problems.

      1. NejiHyuuga01
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 days ago

        Thanks

  13. NATSTER
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Is it a bad idea to sell Son?

    Is it right that he's not completely ruled out and he can return immediately after int' break?

    1. Fudgy
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      He should play Vs Newcastle

      1. NATSTER
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 9 days ago

        I'm considering to sell him for Auba. What do you think?

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Most likely keeping. Very tricky one though

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

      I’m keeping for sure.

      Most can’t even get 8 players this week and Son is included in their count.

      1. NATSTER
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 9 days ago

        Thank you. I feel unnecessary to sell too.

    4. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Just sold him for Lingard.

  14. Guru Mediation
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Anybody fancy Harrison as a bit of a differential?

    1. NejiHyuuga01
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Yes could work. Follow your gut

  15. NULL-X-VOID
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Idk if it's just me but I think people are overrating BHA's attack and underrating NEW's def too much

    1. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      0-0

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

    Son to bale worth a hit ?

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      No

  17. Arteta
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Would you mind to reply with your WHU vs ARS result prediction?

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

      1-2 (Antonio, Auba x2)

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      2-0 West Ham

    3. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      2 - 1 West Ham

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 days ago

        Or this tbf

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

      1-2

      Antonio, Odegaard Tierney

    5. Traction Engine Foot
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      1-1

  18. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    G2G then? Resisted the hits so far with 4m itb.

    Martinez
    Coufal, Dallas, Dunk, (Dias)
    Son*, Lingard, Raphina(v), Soucek
    Kane(C), Bamford
    (McCarthy, Bruno, DCL, Digne)

  19. bitm2007
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Is Son to Bale worth a hit ?

    1. NULL-X-VOID
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      nope

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      No

    3. JohnnyRev7
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Yes.

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

    Bale or Reguilon?

    1. NULL-X-VOID
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Reg

    2. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      I’d rather El Ghazi tbh

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

        Does he start?

        1. Twisted Saltergater
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 9 days ago

          Hope so. Should start over Traore.

    3. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Is neither an option?

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

        It definitely is an option. I just think Mourinho sets out to keep a clean sheet after that horrific display last night.

        1. RAFA THE GAFFA
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 9 days ago

          Then you’ve answered your own question surely?

  21. LewanGOALski
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    I was planning to make 3 transfers for -4, and ended up saving 1 of my FTs 🙂
    Bring GW30 on!

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Team?

  22. Maddamotha
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Brewster > Antonio -4?

  23. HD7
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Already have:
    Martinez, Regulion, Lingard, Raphinha Son*, Kane, Bamford* + Bissouma, Strujik

    Any player worth a hit to get him for 29?

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

    Feel like backing against Raphinha.. don’t expect much points

    Start 1?
    Bale
    Auba
    Raph
    Lingard

  25. Bojam
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Should I Free Hit or use 2 FTs to get 7 players (+Son if fit) out?

    After two transfers, team would be:

    Sanchez
    Dunk, Coufal (Dias, Stones, Rudiger)
    Bale, Raphinha, Son? (Bruno; Gundogan)
    Kane, Watkins (DCL)

    Could also take a -4 to do Bruno -> Auba or Gundogan -> Lingard

    Thanks guys!

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

      Should add that I have the 2nd WC left to play later.

  26. OptimusBlack
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Who to Keep after GW 29
    A - Salah
    B- Gundo
    C- Son

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

      B

    2. linkafu
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      CBA in that order

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

    Captain...?

    1) Kane - surely most captained and EO
    2) Raphinha
    3) Bale

    fwiw - OR 136k & lead ML by 88

    1. NejiHyuuga01
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      It is between A and B for me. Bale gets subbed on 60 mins too often

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

      Kane if you have cash ML

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

      Thanks, both!

  28. acidicleo
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Which one to sell to buy a gw29 defender?

    A) Digne
    B) Cancelo
    C) Stones

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

      I’m selling Cancelo.

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

        thanks...who u buying?

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

        I just sold him for Dallas

  29. NejiHyuuga01
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Start one:

    A) Trossard
    B) Tierney

  30. JBG
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Areola(Martinez)
    Burn-Cresswell
    Lingard-Bale
    Bamford-Kane

    All the players I need for this wet fart of a GW, I feel. Could get one more in for a hit, but no other players are really tempting.