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. Slitherene
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Martinez | Forster
    Reguilon Veltman Coufal
    Son* Auba Saka* Lingard
    Kane Bamford* Antonio
    ¦ Holding Cancelo Bruno

    A) Son -> Bale (-4)
    B) Saka -> Raphinha (-4)

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

    Whos gonna be that guy who puts all there players on the bench to get subbed?

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

      isnt everyone doing that ?

    2. Stamford Bridge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Don't think you can put your C or VC there

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

    Gundogan -> Lingard for -4 to get 8/9th player?

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

      I just did, for Raphinia

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

        already got Raphinha, not sure about Lingard - no WC left

  4. jason_ni
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Chances of struijk starting tonight?

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

      If fit he'll play

    2. Carefree Crew
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Good chance according to FFS team news video.
      "Cooper out is good news for Struijk owners." Was the quote from memory.

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

      He'll start.

  5. Daghe Munegu
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Gundogan to Bale -4 ? Yes or no ?

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

      yeah

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

      If you have less than 11 starting yes!

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

    Will Auba start?

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Maybe not

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

      Not sure he will

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

      Who knows

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

    Already on a -4, is it worth taking another hit for DCL (blank, BRI) >> Antonio (ARS, wol)

    Plan to WC31

    1. Carefree Crew
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Isn't it Palace for Everton?

      I'm Holding DCL for next week & the potential double versus Villa yet TBA.
      I don't see Arsenal or Wolves conceding many goals to West Ham & Antonio didn't look great last time out & he's injury prone.

      Would you want DCL back in? You could end up using 2 transfers to get him out & back in again.

      Short answer: No.

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

      Yes

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

    On a FH. How does this look? Any changes?

    Sanchez
    Dunk, Veltman, Dallas
    Aubameyang, Bale, Lingard, Raphina
    Kane, Lacazette, Antonio

    Nipples, Odegaard, Cresswell, Aldereireld

    1. EL TANO
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Nipples

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

        Yes play him or change?

  9. sarnshawn
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Thoughts? Used my free hit. Not sure what to do with the bench

    Martinez (Areola)
    Dunk (c) Cresswell Veltman Dallas
    Bale Raphinha Lingard
    Kane Lacazette Antonio
    Bench - Aina Odegaard Aubameyang

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

      Not sure on Cresswell over your benched players

      1. sarnshawn
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 10 days ago

        Who would you change him to?

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

    Pick one differential to transfer in
    1) Lookman
    2) Trossard
    3) Maja

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      3

    2. EL TANO
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      1 all the way

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

      I’m on 2

  11. JONALDINHO
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Am I stupid to captain Raph over Kane

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

      No but could hurt

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

      I'm considering it.

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

    G2G or Son out for -4?

    Areola
    Coufal Dunk Dallas
    Lingard Bale Son* Raph
    Watkins Kane Bamford
    B: Pope Gundo Dias Cancelo

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

    Is 10 players for -4 enough if 2 of them are Saka and Bamford?

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

      Yes

    2. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Yes

  14. Vamos Los Celeste
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Is it worth it to ignore Cresswell on a FH first XI when u see Arsenal scoring ?

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      For who?

      1. Vamos Los Celeste
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 10 days ago

        For whoever has a better chance to score points this gw.

        1. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 10 days ago

          I'd pick Creswell then.

  15. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    What would you change?

    Areloa
    Cresswell, Dunk, Lascelles
    Lingard, Auba., Bale, Lallana
    Antonio, Lacazette, Kane.

    Sanchez. Moura, Dallas, Aina.

    FH.

    Thanks.

    1. EL TANO
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Llala Lasc Lacca OUT
      Raph Bam Velt IN

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 10 days ago

        Thanks.

        Not convinced by Leeds.

  16. _Ninja_
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Best move here?

    A. Son to Bale/Lingard
    B. Salah to Auba/Lingard
    C. Both -4
    D Save FT

    Martinez
    Dunk - Coufal - Dallas - Regulion
    Raphina - Son
    Antonio - Kane - Bamford

    Pope - Bruno - Salah - Gundo - Stones

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

      D only if no WC or FH left

      1. _Ninja_
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 10 days ago

        cheers will WC 31.

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      A

      1. _Ninja_
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 10 days ago

        cheers

  17. The_FF_King
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Replace Son with:

    A) Auba
    B) Lingard

    Leaning towards B as more nailed?

    1. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      B

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

      B

  18. I SPEAK ENGELS AND DRINK GI…
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Im chasing in my money league... none has FH left and no Brighton def... Im thinking tripling up with Brighton def and captaining Dunk. Crazy?

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

      If you're using free hit... I think you know it's crazy but if it's a desperate situation, could gain you 20ish points vs your league if they get a cleanie.

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

      Yea but I’ve done the same on wildcard! Will have mendy in goal from next week and will sell Dunk or Velt next week to end the insanity but I’ve done it

  19. balint84
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Cresswell or Grealish?

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

    martinez
    dallas targett veltman cresswell
    raphinha son lingard
    wakins bamford

    pope* dias* bruno* dcl*

    dcl -> kane for -4?
    gundo -> bale for -4?

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

    Best one week punt?

    I'm thinking Auba I don't really have a budget for this player

    Any other options? Leeds and Spurs are max

  22. Az
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    What do these Blank Gameweeks do to us.

    My team now has Trossard (c), Odegaard and Lookman in it.

    Help.

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

    Maupay & Lookman or Trossard & Maja?

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

      A

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

        think I go this

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

      B

  24. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    For a hit (won’t field 11):

    Son >

    A) Ødegaard
    B) Raphinha
    C) Moura
    D) Auba
    E) Don’t take another hit

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

      B

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

    Any player worth a hit to get him for 29?

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

  26. Stupendous
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Gtg?

    3.1m itb 0ft

    Martinez
    Dunk(c)*!* Cresswell Dallas
    Auba Bale Raph Lingard
    Kane(v) Antonio Bamford

    Pope Stones Gundo Digne

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

      Free Hit team?

      1. Stupendous
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 10 days ago

        Now why would I have Pope Digne Stones and Gundo on a FH?

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

          Doh. Brain a bit fried. Good work getting 11 players out. FH still ITB?

          1. Stupendous
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 10 days ago

            Nah but got WC

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

    Will not having Dunk hurt my 8k rank? I have Burn. Could bring him in for Lowton, for -4.

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

      If you have Burn and he plays, not very much I imagine.

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

      I’d consider a Fulham def for the medium term, Brighton is this week and 33 only for me

  28. DBW - Slug's Mortgage …
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Feels wrong capping Kane v my Double Villa defence.

    Other options

    Bamford
    Raphinia
    Smith Rowe
    Burn

    Who should it be?

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

      Raph but Kane

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

      It’s called hedging and is very sensible

  29. fc_skrald
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    anyone know if Lingard will still be on penalties?

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

      Rice is on them - confirmed on post-match interview.

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

        Thanks!

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

      As he missed the last I m not sure

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

    Afternoon folks.
    Fairly well set up for (non-FH) GW29.

    Sanchez
    Dallas
    Son* / Lingard / Raphinha
    Kane / Antonio / Bamford

    Martinez, Bruno, Shaw, Stones, Cancelo, Gundogan & Digne out of action.

    Q1: Sell A) Digne or B) Cancelo
    Q2: To buy: A) Dunk or B) Veltman

    Q3: Sell A) Son or B) Gundogan
    Q4: To buy A) Bale or B)... someone else?

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

      Sell Digne to get Dunk.

      Dunno about the other questions. Depends on what chips you have left and what you plan to do about GW33.

    2. Carefree Crew
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Sell Cancelo(fixtures, rotation, cup focus, Pep roulette, started conceding)
      Dunk goal threat, Newcastle 4 th worst at conceding from set plays.

      Not sure selling Son, Newcastle next week.
      Gundog is risk for reasons above, but cheap, value, highly owned.

      Don't like Bale, tired, minutes, surely gets injured over the international break.

      For another hit I don't think the second move is worth it.

    3. Carefree Crew
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Digne is nailed unlike Cancelo, Everton have Palace & a DGW v Villa TBA.
      Digne assists actually get FPL points, Cancelo looks great but so far very little attacking returns.