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

    Raph is overrated on here Imo! Think he’ll be first on my bench. Anyone able to persuade me?

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

      Bench if you don’t think he’ll score well

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

      Amazing stats, passes the eye test, Leeds are better away than at home

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

      Dbl figure haul

    4. EL TANO
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      He passes the eye test
      I was scared watching him when I didn’t have him

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

      Unlikely to return vs Fulham imo..

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

      he's one of the best players in the league atm

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

        Couldn’t agree more.. but need to take all factors into account

        1. TheBiffas
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 9 days ago

          i wouldnt overthink it. he only needs one chance

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

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

    A) Good to go
    B) Antonio in for a -4?

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

      GTG

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

        You think 7 players is enough then?

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

          Not quite but I don’t think Antonio is worth the hit

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

            Thanks - any player I don’t own who you think is worth a hit?

    2. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Absolutely fine.

      Antonio in (for DCL?) for a hit isn’t worth it considering DCL’s GW30 fixture

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

        Thanks - other option is Salah -> Auba/Bale/Trossard for a -4?

        Will be wildcarding in 31

        1. TheBiffas
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 9 days ago

          would do salah-> auba or bale, i did

          1. TheBiffas
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 9 days ago

            i did a hit for both*

        2. Don Kloppeone
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 9 days ago

          I think I’m doing Salah > Auba/ Bale but cannot decide!

          Auba feels riskier atm so may go Bale

    3. Crunchie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Similar dilemma

    4. EL TANO
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Ant fo -4 YES

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

    Im pumped up I have to say!!

  4. tommo1989
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Are people still going Kane captain after they lost last night and he played 120 mins?

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

      Oh yes 🙂

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

      No, think Lookman or Dunk for me

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

    Who to play can get CS and Saves
    A- Areola
    B- Martinez

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

    C on Maupay, Lookman or Dunk?

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

      Dunk

      I feel physically sick at just the thought of someone captaining Maupay

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

      Manupay because of the fixture

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

    Thinking about taking out KDB instead of Salah for Bale

    A) KDB to Bale
    B) Salah to Bale

    And why?

    Have Gundo and Cancelo already

    1. @persecuted_by_mods
        3 years, 9 days ago

        Gotta be B, form

        Jota easy to get in too

    2. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Play one. Playing Targett as well.

      A. Martinez
      B. Areola

      1. @persecuted_by_mods
          3 years, 9 days ago

          B

          1. Crunchie
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 9 days ago

            A

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

        Do you think there is a player/s worth the hit for this GW?
        Maybe Dalas?

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

      3. El Presidente
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 9 days ago

        Just did Chilwell to Dunk & Gundo to Lingard for a -4

        Is Son to Auba -8 a good idea?

        WC GW31

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

          No, not sure how many minutes Auba will get

        2. EL TANO
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 9 days ago

          You’ve already wiped Dunk clean sheet with a -4 but if you don’t have 9+ players then do it

          1. El Presidente
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 9 days ago

            yeah true, but I think the risk makes sense, high probability of a cleeno and some atacking threat

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

        Which Spurs defender is Guranteed?

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

          Alderwield and Regullion imo

        2. El Presidente
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 9 days ago

          Reguillon

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

        Any of these moves worth a hit?

        A Gundogan to Bale/Odegaard
        B Son to Bale/Odegaard
        C Richarlison to Bamford/Antonio

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

        Benchw*nkery locked and loaded

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

          What’s the point? It’s such a short GW and the points will update after the Spurs game anyway

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

        Guys, who will be your captain?

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

          Still not sure

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

          Raph

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

          Jlingz

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

          kane or auba

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

          Bale.

        6. Bielsa Murderball
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 9 days ago

          Dallas

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

        G2G?

        Lloris
        Dunk, Veltman, Dallas
        Raph, JLingz, Bale, Auba
        Laca, Bam, Kane

        Emi,Tros, Tierney, Cress

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

          Auba & Laca is guaranteeing 1 starter and 1 benched in my humble opinion

          1. Crunchie
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 9 days ago

            Not if Saka is out

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

            Really!?

          3. TheBiffas
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 9 days ago

            theyre not interchangeable really

      9. Pukki Party
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 days ago

        Who's on pens for Fulham and Brighton?

        1. TheBiffas
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 9 days ago

          dunno about fulham but probs gross for brighton

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

            * Groß

            1. TheBiffas
              • 3 Years
              3 years, 9 days ago

              okay sir

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

        Salah to Auba or Odegaard?

      11. JONALDINHO
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 days ago

        Cresswell or Dawson(+1.4)

        1. TheBiffas
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 9 days ago

          cresswell a bit overpriced now imo

      12. estheblessed
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 9 days ago

        a) Raphina and Bale
        b) Raphina and Bamford

        ?

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

          A

        2. EL TANO
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 9 days ago

          A

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

        Who to play can get CS and Saves.
        A- Areola
        B- Martinez

        1. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 9 days ago

          A

        2. EL TANO
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 9 days ago

          A

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

        I have a nice one for you 😀
        Play Dallas & Raphinha or Aina & Lookman?

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

          Dallas + Raph

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

            This

          2. mr messi
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 9 days ago

            This

      15. SomeoneKnows
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 days ago

        Is Tierney worth a -4 hit if I'll probably transfer him out next week to a Chelsea defender?

        1. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 9 days ago

          If he gets 4 points +

      16. Fernando Torres
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 9 days ago

        Who would you play...

        A) Son + Veltman
        B) Reg + Antonio

        Antonio will come off bench for Son in A

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

          Well you play Veltman

      17. lifes a pitch
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 9 days ago

        Who would you play?
        A) Areola
        B) Martinez

        1. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 9 days ago

          A

      18. Better Call Raul
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 9 days ago

        Thoughts on Lucas Moura as a cheaper Son replacement? Was their main threat in the closing stages of the NLD

        1. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 9 days ago

          Not bad if you don't want Bale.

      19. LLoris
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 days ago

        Dunk instead of Robo or Stones?

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

          Rubbishtson

      20. The Polymath
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 9 days ago

        I have Coufal so will not be getting Cresswell until I do the WC in 31. Those without the WC left are better off getting him now.

      21. F_Ivanovic
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 9 days ago

        Who to start out of:

        A) Dallas
        B) Adarabiayo
        C) Cresswell

        1. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 9 days ago

          C

      22. balint84
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 days ago

        Differential:
        A) Moura
        B) Lookman
        C) Grealish

      23. Daghe Munegu
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 days ago

        G2G ?

        Martinez
        Coufal Veltman
        Bale Raphina Trossard Son*
        Kane Watkins