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. HD7
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Which one of them is worth the hit?
    Getting Dallas, Bale or Auba?

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

      B

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

    Bench one:

    A) Coufal
    B) Targett

    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      B

    2. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      A

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

    V nervous without lind or ant
    -4 gundo to lind OR Bam to Ant?

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

      Yes

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

        Thx but which one you think?

    2. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Gundogan to Lingard.

    3. The class of 92
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Gundogan to Lingard, as Bamford might play

  4. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Target dalas raphinha kane bamford, which? 2 ft.

    A) FH, i have all chips still
    B) pickford salah dcl -4 to sanchez bale/lingard/trosard antonio/watkins
    C) make 2 transfers, 2 ft only no -4

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

      A

      Quick

  5. iL PiStOlErO
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Still have WC. GTG or would you maybe try with Salah to Bale or Auba (-4)?

    Sanchez*
    Dallas* Coufal* Targett*
    Raphinha(C)* Soucek* Salah Bruno
    Kane* Bambford* Watkins*

    Pope Dias Cancelo Gundo

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

    On FanTeam where Auba is a FWD.

    A. DCL -> Auba?
    B. Gundo -> Trossard
    C. both for -4
    D. none

  7. FPL_Hazards
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Is Aubameyang a risk? Just feels like getting him for a hit could massively backfire!

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

      Yep

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

      He played 90 minutes and Laca rested -_-

      1. FPL_Hazards
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 9 days ago

        Thats my concern

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

      No Both will play IMO

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

      Risk and crap GW30 fixture. Wouldn't get him if not on a FH

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

      I wouldn’t get him for a hit personally with risk over his mins

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

      Yes, massive risk. I have though. Salah deserves to be sold and auba has highest predicted score over next four and potential captaincy at shu. Sell in 33 and he can become anyone. It is a four game punt tho could be massively frustrating

    7. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Of course, but look at it another way - people cooled on him yet after Kane he's arguably the single player with the capacity to brace or have a high ceiling in a week where virtually nobody is convincing.

    8. ‘Tis the Season
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      proper trap mate

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

        is he though

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

    Which one to lose for Lingard?

    a) Gundo
    b) Salah

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

      A

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

      I'm in same situation...want more BGWers but dont really want to lose the players i have.

      Got to be Gundo with rotation risk and value surely though ?

    3. Il Capitano
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Think I'll probably lose Salah, frees up cash for me to move Raph to KDB (or bring Salah back) in 31

    4. ‘Tis the Season
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      I did B

    5. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Depends on your value tied up in Gundo and if you still have wc.

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

    Salah to auba for -4 ?

    A) yay
    B) nay

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

      Yay

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

      Nay

    3. Easy Cheesy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Done it

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

      Nay

    5. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      No

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

    Mates,

    Which one is worth a hit the most:
    A) Cancelo to Dallas
    B) Son to Bale
    C) DCL to Auba

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

      B

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

        sorry i thought that was the least favoured option. then A

  11. WE GO FOR IT
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Would you play Areola over Martinez if you have them both?
    Have Raphinha already and may get Bamford (although I am considering Watkins and Antonio)

  12. Gunners in Haaland
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Raph(c) here

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Good luck. Hope it pays off.

    2. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Thanks and gl mate

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

    A) Gross
    B) Loftus
    C) Fraser

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

      A

    2. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      All of them are gross tbh.

  14. Heiro
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Stones or Cancelo more nailed?

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

    Pick one to get
    Bale or Auba or Laca

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

    Cresswell, Auba or Odegaard?

  17. DaftKing
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Martinez
    Target Veltman Dallas
    Lingard Raph Son*
    Kane Bamford Watkins

    9 plus Son. Do I take a hit to make it 10 plus Son?! If so, who for?
    Non playing is Gundo Stones Cancelo Bruno.
    Thinking Stones for a) Cresswell b) Tierney c) Aina d) Lascelles. Thoughts?

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

      A

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

    People are thinking about captaining Lingard and I'm considering benching him for Watkins on my FH...

    1. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Do it

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

    Which more essential this week for a -4?
    Antonio
    Lingard

  20. fc_skrald
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Any chace the bench players are not needed for this fh-team?

    Sánchez
    Dunk, Cresswell, Dallas
    Bale, Raphinha(VC), Lingard, Son
    Antonio, Kane(C), Bamford

    Martínez, Auba, Veltman, Tierney

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

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

  22. Ribus
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Moura or Bergwijn? No funds for Bale

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

      Moura

  23. money face bandwagon
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    bale(c)

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

      High 5! 😎

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

    Kane Bale Raph or Lingard?

    Who are going to C?

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

      Stop at the first letter K

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

    Some of my ML have under 5 players for the BGW, Interesting see if they play their WC early as they don't have the FH left.

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

      Crazy to play WC this week

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

    Tosin or Andersen?

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

      I think Tosin has slightly better goal threat

  27. Ozzy smith
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Roll the FT? 0.3itb 1FT no WC.

    Martinez
    Cresswell Konsa Ayling White
    Son Raphinha
    Kane Bamford

    (Fabri Salah KDB Gundo Shaw DCL)

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

      With no WC definitely roll unless you want the player you bring in for 30 and beyond

    2. Granville
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      KDB->Bale?

      1. Ozzy smith
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 9 days ago

        You’ve shift KDB instead of Salah? Coming into some form isn’t he big Kev?

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

        No. I've got both and will hold till the end. Anyone else you can move?

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

          Ah! Salah. Terminate with extreme prejudice.

  28. Biggsy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Am I crazy to hold a FT for GW30 when I have only 8 playing? Would be Gundo to Lingard if I used it.

    GW30 seems so much more appealing with 2FT ahead of a GW31 WC

    1. Granville
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      It's madness. You are guaranteed to score zero with that player that is missing.

    2. Reggie Nainggolan
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Not at all. I'm thinking the same but dont know what to do.

      I got 8 players inc Son tho dont know whether to do Zinchenko for Dunk/Veltmann? Or roll FT

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

    A Antonio
    B Lingard

  30. Aster
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Captain Trossard or Auba?