Team News

FPL injury and team news updates as Smith rules Grealish out of GW31

We round up the latest Premier League injury news ahead of Gameweek 31 in our weekly press conference summary.

For more information, check out our Predicted Line-ups page and Injuries and Bans feed.

A video recap with Neale and Andy can be viewed at the bottom of this piece.

LIVERPOOL V ASTON VILLA

Jack Grealish (£7.5m) looks set for more time on the sidelines as he suffered another setback in his recovery from a shin injury.

The Aston Villa midfielder was targetting a comeback against Liverpool on Saturday afternoon but is still unable to train fully.

“Myself and Jack were quite optimistic to get him back a little bit sooner than he probably should and he’s had a setback that will probably put him back at least a couple of weeks. We’ll see how he is but it’s unlikely he’ll be back for a few weeks. He was really good in training, but he couldn’t tolerate the loading. It’s a loading injury and we have to de-load him over the next couple of weeks and get him back from there. We know it’s not a long-term injury and he will be back.” – Dean Smith

The Reds don’t have any fresh worries – although fatigue could be a factor after midweek exertions.

“To be 100% honest, we don’t know yet. We played on Tuesday, flew back on Wednesday, trained yesterday. Some players still felt the game. Injured… is nobody from the game. We have to see what we make of the information they give us today.

“Nobody is injured but if we have to change something, you will see tomorrow.” – Jurgen Klopp

MANCHESTER CITY v LEEDS UNITED

There was very little from Pep Guardiola on the team news front, with City injury-free.

Instead, he hailed the contribution of Ruben Dias (£6.2m) and the new contract for Kevin De Bruyne (£11.9m).

“[Dias] has been so important so far. Still, you have two months before the end of the season, but he has been so important for the continuity and leadership and for the quality when he has played.

I am glad Kevin who has the world in his hands and can play for anyone, decides to stay with us. It’s a big compliment for Manchester City.” – Pep Guardiola

The City boss had previously warned us that he wanted fresh legs “more than ever” for this clash with Leeds, however, so rotation could be about to bite.

Ahead of travelling to the Etihad Stadium, Leeds have no new injuries to worry about although they will still be short a key option on the flanks.

Jack Harrison (£5.4m) is ineligible to face his parent club so will miss out on Gameweek 31.

WEST HAM UNITED V LEICESTER CITY

Michail Antonio (£6.7m) looks set to miss the visit of Leicester City and joins Declan Rice (£4.7m) on the sidelines this weekend.

We’ve obviously had a couple of injuries and I don’t think Mick is going to make this game but I think, apart from that, we’re not too bad.

I won’t give you any more information on Declan Rice, to be honest. I will just say he has got an injury as everybody is aware and we’ll try and get him back as quick as we can. We don’t want to put any timescale on it.

Caglar Söyüncü (£5.3m) remains unavailable for Leicester following his positive coronavirus test, with Harvey Barnes (£6.7m) also out.

James Maddison (£7.1m) may not be ready for a starting XI return, with Brendan Rodgers explaining in his Friday press conference that the midfielder is “a bit away from where his level would be”.

SHEFFIELD UNITED V ARSENAL

Following confirmation that Kieran Tierney (£5.3m) is out until May, Mikel Arteta revealed on Thursday that Martin Ødegaard (£6.0m) was likely to miss Sunday’s meeting with Sheffield United.

“We don’t know, he wasn’t able to play today and he will be out I think for the next game or two. But we don’t know yet.” – Mikel Arteta

With Ødegaard unlikely to play, Bukayo Saka (£5.2m) and Emile Smith Rowe (£4.2m) are both sure to be involved against the Blades.

“I think (Saka and Smith Rowe) were both really good, obviously they haven’t played much football in recent weeks and they struggled to finish the game, but I think overall they both had a good game.” – Mikel Arteta

Sander Berge (£4.9m), Billy Sharp (£5.5m), Chris Basham (£4.6m) and Jack O’Connell (£4.7m) remain sidelined for the Blades but George Baldock (£4.9m) and Jayden Bogle (£4.3m) are back in training after serving their six-day concussion protocols. 

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR V MANCHESTER UNITED

During his post-match press conference on Thursday night, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer explained he had to withdraw Luke Shaw (£5.3m) against Granada to protect him from an injury.

“I had to protect Luke. But I think and hope he should be okay for the weekend.” – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Meanwhile, Marcus Rashford (£9.5m) is expected to be ready for the meeting with Spurs and Paul Pogba (£7.6m) has a minor issue to overcome.

“He’s not recovered from it and hopefully, it’s not got any worse from this because he lasted 70 against Brighton, 65 now, so hopefully he’s ready. I think he should be ready on Sunday. Hopefully, they’ll [all] be okay. Of course, Marcus [Rashford], as we spoke about, his foot is a bit sore, so we didn’t want to aggravate that too much. Apart from that, Paul [Pogba] had a little niggle but he should be okay.” – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Ben Davies (£4.6m) and Matt Doherty (£5.6m) remain Spurs’ only absenteees.

FULHAM V WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS

Since their 3-2 defeat to West Ham on Monday night, nothing has changed in the Wolves camp on the injury front.

Willy Boly (£5.4m) will miss Friday’s trip to Fulham as he continues to self-isolate until Tuesday following a positive coronavirus (COVID-19) test.

Meanwhile, João Moutinho (£5.2m) is still “not at 100 per cent” and will face a late fitness test.

Fulham have not picked up any new injury concerns ahead of meeting Wolves, Ademola Lookman (£5.0m) managing to train this week.

“Everything is fine in terms of (injuries). (Lookman) trained today, he’s looking okay in that situation. Hopefully will be fine for tomorrow.” – Scott Parker

BURNLEY V NEWCASTLE UNITED

Owners of Burnley defensive assets might be somewhat wary of the latest news coming out of Newcastle. 

Callum Wilson (£6.5m) and Allan Saint-Maximin (£5.1m) are both available for the Gameweek 31 trip to Turf Moor

“Callum and Allan will be in the squad. [Whether or not I start them] that’s the big decision I have to make. I’m mindful of the fact that both of them have had muscle injuries which you’ve always got to box carefully with. But I’m also wary that we’ve only got six weeks of the season left.” – Steve Bruce

Meanwhile, Jamaal Lascelles (£4.2m) misses out with a foot injury, Federico Fernández (£4.7m) is likely to be involved and Ryan Fraser‘s (£5.6m) groin problem has not improved.

“It’s not looking so good [for Lascelles] at the moment, he’s going to have more scans today and over the weekend. He won’t play this weekend, that’s for sure.” – Steve Bruce

Sean Dyche confirmed that Phil Bardsley (£4.4m) comes back into the thinking after compassionate leave but the Clarets are still without Ashley Barnes (£6.0m), Kevin Long (£4.3m) and Robbie Brady (£5.0m) fit.

On Erik Pieters (£4.3m), the Burnley head coach said:

“Erik has trained today so we’re expecting him to be OK.” – Sean Dyche

WEST BROMWICH ALBION V SOUTHAMPTON

Southampton are largely injury-free compared to earlier in the campaign. There are no new updates on any of the existing long-term absentees and no new major problems either.

However, Kyle Walker-Peters (£4.7m) has a minor leg issue that Ralph Hasenhüttl will have to assess ahead of Monday’s meeting with West Bromwich Albion.

“No [new injuries] so far. We had two half-sessions today, Kyle [Walker-Peters] had a little problem with his leg, the rest are quite fit.” – Ralph Hasenhüttl

Saints’ upcoming opponents West Brom experienced mixed news on the injury front.

Dara O’Shea (£4.2m) is likely to be involved on Monday night while Branislav Ivanovic (£4.4m) is set for an extended spell on the sidelines.

“Dara [O’Shea] is looking very good for the Southampton game. We’ve got that extra couple of days with the game being on a Monday instead of a Saturday, which is a big help in terms of him playing. Branislav [Ivanovic] will be out for a long time, we think. We will have to assess it week-by-week, but certainly at the moment it looks like it’s going to be a long period.” – Sam Allardyce

BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION V EVERTON

Adam Webster (£4.3m) and Dan Burn (£4.2m) could be involved against Everton on Monday night, although both require assessment before Graham Potter can include them in his next matchday squad.

Everton will be without André Gomes (£5.3m) and Jordan Pickford (£4.8m) at the Amex Stadium although they will welcome Alex Iwobi (£5.9m) back.

Meanwhile, Allan (£5.2m) requires some assessment and could be involved.

“Gomes is not available. We are checking Allan. He trained normally this morning. But we have three days to wait to see how it goes. Maybe he can be available.” – Carlo Ancelotti

“Iwobi will be available. Pickford started training this week but I think is not 100%. We don’t want to take a risk for this game. Delph and Bernard are following their individual programme.” – Carlo Ancelotti

CRYSTAL PALACE v CHELSEA

Thomas Tuchel said on Friday that Chelsea were at “full fitness” heading into Saturday’s match against Crystal Palace, although Thiago Silva (£5.6m) will sit this one out through suspension.

The Eagles will have to face Chelsea without loanee Michy Batshuayi (£5.7m), who is ineligible to face his parent club.

James McArthur (£5.2m), Nathan Ferguson (£3.8m), James Tomkins (£4.4m)and Mamadou Sakho (£4.4m) remain absent while Nathaniel Clyne (£4.5m) is due back in training next week.

James McCarthy (£4.3m) is fit, however.


1,602 Comments Post a Comment
  1. linkafu
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    A Saka
    B Lingard

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      A

    2. chelseabrad
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      B

      1. Eastman
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        B

    3. ALegendJ
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      A

    4. Pompey5
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      B

  2. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Bench Shaw or Cresswell?

    Rüdiger & Dias playing, Dallas benched.

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Crez

    2. linkafu
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Creswell

    3. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Ta, RMT has Shaw benched?

    4. ALegendJ
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Cresswell

      1. Eastman
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Have both and probably benching Shaw

    5. CAP
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      The same defence as me, benching Creswell

    6. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Cheers

  3. Weak Become Heros
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Play Tosin or Dias?

    1. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Do you want my opinion? 😉

      1. Weak Become Heros
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Haha hello good sir. Please, I’m all ears - plus could you send over your skip this week 😉

    2. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Dias

  4. only2
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Holding or Phillips and why please? 🙂

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Phillips, dont trust arsenal defence and Liverpool better now Fabinho in the middle.

      1. Pompey5
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        This

      2. only2
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        thanks! agree, any risk of fabinho playing CB instead of phillips?

    2. ZLNR
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I'm going Philips currently but you do miss out on easy Salah in if required

      1. only2
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        ty! im taking salah too, in for Bale. Going for a hit this round

  5. temo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    A Saiss (Smith Rowe bench) Welbeck. 343
    B Lowton Neto (Davies bench). 352

    1. linkafu
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      B

    2. ALegendJ
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      A

  6. chelseabrad
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    On a wildcard with 3.7 ITB, what would you upgrade? BBing next week

    Schmeichel Forster
    TAA Azpi Shaw Saiss Holding
    Salah Son Jota Lingard Neto
    Kane Iheanacho Davis

    1. Garth Marenghi
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Would get Sterling

      1. Balls of Steel
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        This

    2. ZLNR
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Son to sterling and pencil in the transfer

  7. Nespinha
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Opinions on this WC:

    Leno,
    Kabak, Coady, Rudiger
    Salah, Bruno, Mount, Neto, Jota
    Kane, Vardy

    subs: forster, holding, fofana, davis

  8. FPL ElasticO
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    G2g for this GW?
    Who should you bench from this lot? Need some suggestions....

    Leno
    TAA / James / Rudiger / Saiss / Holding
    Salah(c) / Jota / Neto / Bruno / Son
    Kane / Iheanacho / Vydra

  9. ALegendJ
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Start One:
    A) Reguilon (MUN) - attacking full back in what I expect to be a tight match
    B) Phillips (AVL) - Probably the easier fixture of the three
    C) Fofana (whu) - versus a West Ham without Antonio and Rice

    1. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      A

  10. Sgt Frank Drebin
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Do you think Maddison will start this GW?

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      No but will get mins.

    2. Traction Engine Foot
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Hell be on the bench I think

    3. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Off the bench still not match fit & too valuable to push.

  11. AF90
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Play Martinez or Forster? Thanks

    1. Mayor of Flair
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Trying to decide same.

      On Martinez ATM.

      If WBA hadn't slammed in 5 against Chelsea I'd feel a lot better about going Forster.

  12. Dynamic Duos
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Does everyone prefer Mendy to Leno?

    1. temo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I got Leno on WC

    2. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Yes.

    3. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Put Leno in with double CHE def myself

    4. Balls of Steel
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Just don't have enough faith in Arsenal defence to go with Leno!

    5. ZLNR
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Leno more likely for save points than Mendy if you were weighing up

      Leno + 2 Chelsea Vs Mendy + 1 + holding I'd go Leno option

      1. Dynamic Duos
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Going Rudiger and a keeper that is all

  13. TheOneAndOnly
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    ------------------------ Mendy ---------------------------
    ------------- TAA - Rudiger - Holding ---------------
    -- Sterling(c) - Salah - Bruno - Jota - Lingard --
    ----------------- Kane - Iheanacho -------------------

    Forster, Coady, Regulion, Davis

    WC Team. Sterling > Son next week

    G2G or would you change something?

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Liking that a lot, also got Razz C

  14. TSN
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    thoughts on my WC team please

    Areola
    TAA Azpi Dias
    Jota Bruno Salah Neto Gundogan
    Nacho Kane

    Sub: Schmeichel Cresswell Lowton Brewster

    Thanks!

  15. FFFoxy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Ferran Torres to start?

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Likely.

    2. linkafu
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Yep

  16. hustler7
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Who do you think is most likely to start in midfield/attack for city at the weekend?

    I want some city coverage but can't decide out of Bilva, Torres, Foden or Gundo...

    1. hustler7
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I should mention it will be a 1 week punt before moving to Son for the double and don't have the money for Sterling unless I switch Salah out. On WC.

  17. sirmorbach
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Lads, still time for me here. Would you be kind enough to help my with (a) WC team and (b) starting XI for this week?

    Mendy
    TAA, Dias, Holding
    Salah, Bruno, Son, Gündogan, Lingard
    Kane, Wood

    Forster, Iheanacho, Rüdiger, Coufal

    1. Eastman
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      like it.

      1. sirmorbach
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Means a lot. Thank you, sir!

  18. ball c
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    On wildcard:
    Final slot between:
    Who to pick?

    A) Fernandes
    B) Sterling

    Planning on transferring Sterling out next gameweek for Fernandes.

    Mendy
    TAA - Saiss - Alonso
    Salah (c) - Lingard - Jota - Son Sterling or Fernandes
    Iheanacho - Kane

    Forster - Masuaku - Holding - Vydra

    1. ZLNR
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Risk sterling unless you're costing yourself a lot in rebuying Fernandes

      Have you considered sterling instead of Son and do that swap next week? I assume you're priced out of that?

  19. McPollolocco
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    My team: don't be surprised e.g. about Ings or Bamford, play in a mini-league and can't take every player

    Martinez
    Digne, Rüdiger, Cancelo, TAA
    Maddison, Salah, Neto, Mahrez
    Ings, Kane

    Bench: Forster, Bamford, Pereira (WBA), Coufal

    Thoughts?
    Have some questions?
    a) Mahrez to Rodriguez
    b) Who captain?
    c) Who should i bench?

    1. ball c
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      A) No
      B) Salah
      C) Martinez & the 3 already on the bench

    2. RogDog_jimmy
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      ML or not Bamford makes no sense to me - Ings I get.
      I picked Mahrez over J-Rod as my 1 week punt last week...coin flipped wrong.
      Also not sure how you can keep Digne - probably the most disappointing defender all year?

  20. ZLNR
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Option 1

    Patricio / (Foster)

    TAA / Rudiger / James / (Philips / Dias)

    Sterling / Jota / Fernandes / Lingard / Saka

    Kane / Ihenacho / (Vydra)

    With this draft Sterling becomes Son

    Option 2 replace Sterling/Saka/Philips with Salah/Madison/Veltman

  21. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Are we expecting KDB to start against Leeds? Probably not right?

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Id say its unlikely but I have a sneaky feeling Gundo will start.

      1. Garth Marenghi
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Why

    2. hustler7
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      You would think he would be rested but with Pep who knows.

    3. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      You never know with Pep

    4. Pompey5
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Why?

      1. Bubz
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Why would he start? League sewn up and bigger fish to fry

  22. RogDog_jimmy
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    ok - wc decision made (i think)

    Mendy (Forster)
    James, Rudiger, TAA (Holding, Fofana)
    Bruno, Son, Sterling (c), Lingard, Jota
    Kane, Iheanacho (Vydra).

    OR - 731
    Last chip.

    Hoping for a top-100...crazy ambitious.

  23. linkafu
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    A Lingard

    B Gundo

    C Saka

    1. ZLNR
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      ACB for me but I am considering Saka on my WC

    2. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      This week only? C
      Longer term, B.

  24. Whazza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Who would have thought Conor Coady and Jesse Lingard would be in everyone's wildcard 😆 Love it

  25. OptimusBlack
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Who to Get ?
    A - Alonso
    B- TAA

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      B

    2. temo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      B

    3. Thomas Jerome Newton
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      B if got the money.

  26. chelseabrad
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Why the massive love for Sterling? Have I missed something?

    1. RogDog_jimmy
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Leeds defense and Sterling didn't play in CL making him seemingly nailed. Bit of a gamble I think but also why not go for it? Sterling>Salah is planned for next week by me.

  27. ZLNR
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    A. Sterling (Son next GW)/Saka/Philips

    B. Salah/Madison/Veltman

    1. linkafu
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      A

  28. Stupendous
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    On WC.

    Madz or Linz?

  29. linkafu
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Coady or Saiss??

  30. Hig1990
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Planning to hold WC. Thoughts on these moves?
    Tierney & Bale > TAA & Jota -4

    Martinez/Areola
    Tierney, Digne, Dias, Stones, Dallas
    Bruno, Son, Bale, Lingar, Raphina
    Kane, DCL, Watkins