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. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

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

    1. OptimusBlack
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      B
      2

  2. Drogo
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Robertson, DCL, Tarkowski -> Lacazette, Dunk, Tierny.

    Probably going Lacazette over Kane as captain, considering he played 130 min in EL

  3. Scots Gooner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Just another 1.5 hours of debating with myself if Son->Bale is worth the -4 or to just leave it...

    1. Ohh1454
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Same position think I’ll leave it

      1. Scots Gooner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 10 days ago

        Thats the way I'm leaning to be honest. If Spurs had looked decent last night, I'd have been more tempted.

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

      Son > Auba ?
      What do u think ?

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

        I did this

        1. OptimusBlack
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 10 days ago

          Cheers

      2. Scots Gooner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 10 days ago

        I've got him and gave him the armband.

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

      Surely a low scoring game. Spurs out of form and tired

      1. Scots Gooner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 10 days ago

        Yeah, Spurs performance last night has put me 70-80% towards just leaving it.

        Just if Bale hauls I'll kick myself.

    4. mr messi
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Depends how many players you have playing

      1. Scots Gooner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 10 days ago

        Got 8, which is adequate I think. Shouldn't be too bad a red arrow vs full 11 teams

  4. Ohh1454
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Haven’t seen much of Brighton but does Ben white have much goal threat ?

    1. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      I noticed he gets into the box but no - also has very few bonus points all year but could be worth a shout!

  5. Arteta
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Are we (almost) all underestimating Fulham? Leeds usually choke when they visit London.

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

      I’m benching bamford

    2. Konstaapeli
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Hope they make an exception this week

    3. Kane and Ablett
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      This’ll probably be 1-0 or 0-0.... what a luxury to bench Bamf in this of all weeks!

    4. sunzip14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Hoping for a similar score as the reverse fixture earlier in the season.

    5. Woy_is_back
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Im bringing lookman in. Double figures for sure

    6. Hart-ake
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      It's the smog.

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

    Sanchez
    Burn Strujik Dallas Konsa
    Raphinha Lingard
    Kane(C) Watkins

    no points hit and used 2 ft to get in Lingard and Dallas.

    Good to go? Or shall I get in lacazette or antonio to DCL for a hit ?

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

      Gtg

  7. waltzingmatildas
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Play areola or Martinez?

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

      Nipples

  8. Torres76
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Pick one please gang for -4

    1. Raphina
    2. Auba

    Cheers

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

      1

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

      1

  9. linkafu
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Antonio or Lacazette?

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

      Laca....got a feeling he could do well may cpt him instead of kane

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

      I’m same dilemma.

      Lacazette rested midweek but fancy a fest ham win.

      Bet both blank anyway haha

    3. Torres76
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Antonia

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

      If you have Lingard, Lacazette. If you have Auba, Antonio.

      If you have Lingard and Auba, neither.

  10. Ibralicious
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Best pick for this GW?

    A) Dunk
    B) Cresswell
    C) Tierney

    Cheers!

    1. Ohh1454
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      A

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      B

    3. Torres76
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      A

    4. Hart-ake
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      For this GW only, Dunk.

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

      I’m on all 3 but probably A this week

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

    Areola + Cresswell
    Or
    Fab + Dallas

  12. OptimusBlack
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Who to get rid of ?
    A - Son
    B- Gundo
    C- Salah

    1. Ohh1454
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      B

    2. Konstaapeli
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      C

  13. SHOWSTOPPERRR
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    It's come down to this guys.2ft

    Dunk or Creswell? Decided to do salah to bale

    1. Ohh1454
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Long term Cresswell but just this week dunk

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

    Lingard or Grealish?

  15. Oggle22
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Martinez
    Konsa Dallas Dunk
    Salah Son Bruno Gunda Raphina
    Bamford Kane

    Steele Stones Cancelo Brewster

    Salah/Bruno/Gunda/Brewster to
    Bale/Lingard/Aubameyang/Antonio or as above but lacasel in instead of Antonio and go 4 4 2

    Cheers

  16. lordkippe
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Currently got 9 players including Son and Bamford. Is this mye time to do the FH?

    1. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      9 is fine, even 8 is ok

    2. Torres76
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      No

    3. Kane and Ablett
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Depends on the 9 but most will have less

  17. FF Dirtbag
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Got 10 players currently and no hits taken.So what's the thoughts on:

    Mee -> Dunk for - 4?

  18. Van der Faart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Dallas or Bamford for the third Leeds spot?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Dallas

  19. Qaiss
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Anyone think Aurier will start over Doherty having played nearly 120 yesterday?

    1. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Wouldn't be surprised to see Tanganga start tbh

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      No

    3. Qaiss
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Cheers guys

    4. Kane and Ablett
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      I wouldn’t touch either, check out Fulham and Brighton defenders

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

        Nah, it’s just I have Aurier in my team.

  20. Dybala10
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Gundo to Auba for a -4?

    1. Hart-ake
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Nah.

  21. Xanthorpe
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    A) Salah -> Auba
    B) Mount -> Odegaard
    C) Salah -> Odegaard

  22. Hangman Page
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    I haven't seen Lacazette in any teams but I quite like him as an option on FH.

  23. GROBARI
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    10 players with -4
    GTG?
    Martinez
    Dallas Cresswell Dunk
    Bale Lingz Raph Bruno*
    Kane Bamford(?) Antonio

    1. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Good team GTG. See below.

  24. bitm2007
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Martinez
    Veltman, Struijk
    Raphina, Auba, SON
    Kane (c), Watkins, BAMFORD

    McCarthy, Shaw, Dias, Rudiger, Bruno

    1.2m ITB, 0 FT

    I'm probably playing with 7 or 8. Is it worth taking a hit to get another GW29 starter in, or using FH ?

    1. Ohh1454
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      I wouldn’t free hit and same time wouldn’t be overly keen on losing anyone from your bench so probably leave it

      1. bitm2007
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 10 days ago

        Thanks. I'm tempted by Son to Bale.

  25. Egg noodle
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Is every man and his dog captaining Kane?

    1. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      You've forgotten the cat !

    2. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Not even vice.

      1. Egg noodle
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 10 days ago

        😮

  26. HD7
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Would you switch anyone from Lingard and Raphinha to Auba or Dunk?

  27. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    I think it’s down to this:

    Salah, Stones > Auba/ Bale, Dunk (2FT)

    Will give me these 10 inc Son this week. WC in 31.

    4.7-6.6itb
    Martinez
    Dallas, Dunk, Coufal
    Auba/ Bale, Raphinha, Lingard, Son
    Kane (C), Bamford
    (Pope) (Gundo, Dias, Shaw, DCL)

    Like the moves? Which out of Auba or Bale?

    Cheers!

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

      You not tempted by DCL -> Antonio instead?

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 10 days ago

        No because of DCL’s fixture in 30 and having Lingard already although he’s a v good pick

        Of my choices what do you think?

  28. 420king
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Martinez
    Dallas Veltman Cresswell
    Raphinha Son*
    Watkins Kane

    0 FT... would you bring in anything for a hit?
    (Dias, Gundo, KDB, Bruno, DCL)

    1. Zladan
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Probably look to bring in a defender with attacking potential.

      1. 420king
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 10 days ago

        Thanks. I don't want to do Dias to Tierney. Dunk also not a choice since I don't want to double up 🙁

  29. richarlison2348
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    A. De Bruyne to Aubameyang
    B. Gundogan to Lingard

    WC in 31

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

      Think points will all be similar so keep the one you have most value in?

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

    Anyone else on triple Bri? Sanchez dunk and trossard feels like overkill

    1. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Sanchez, Dunk and Veltman here

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

        Come on the seagulls! (Metaphorically speaking)

    2. Johnjo
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      OK for a FH I guess but not otherwise as Bri have poor fixtures after.

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

        Ta yeh on a fh