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

    Thoughts on this WC team? It means I will have to leave 2 good players on the bench, which I don't like because I usually make the wrong decision on who to bench. Of course it is better to have more better players on bench than worse, but maybe I would invest that money into the first team.

    Martinez
    TAA - Stones - Digne
    Salah - Son - Jota - Lingard
    Iheanacho - Kane - DCL

    Rudiger - Neto - B. Johnson

    1. jernej93
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Brave to go without Fernandes but good overall team ... You will need that bench because of Stones rotation 🙂

      And we should all have a plan if Nacho suddenly stops playing in starting 11 🙂

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

        It's basically between Salah, Kane and Fernandes. With Kane double it's a no brainer. Then it's between Salah and Fernandes. Salah's fixtures and captaincy sqings it in his favour imho.

        Do you think Iheanacho will stop playing when Barnes is back? When I look at his stats they are so great. And just for 5.8m If he continues to play so well maybe he will keep his place. What do you think? To be honest I'm thinking of getting Brewster instead of Nacho and then Maddison instead of Neto. But that leaves me with pretty poor bench. Decisions, decisions...

  2. jernej93
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    One week MID punt to keep a seat warm for Son? Up to 9.4M 🙂

    Thinking Maddison or Pepe?

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

    Which of these Chelsea defenders gets most minutes long term in the PL

    1. James
    2. Christensen

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

      Close call but I'd say James

    2. jernej93
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      James ... apart from Azpi he has the least competition. Christensen and Thiago will rotate a lot IMO 🙂

  4. Garam MOSALAH
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    on WC

    A) Johnstone
    B) Sanchez

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

    A Saiss
    B Coady

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

      coin toss.

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

      Coady more nailed and cheaper

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

        Siass is pretty nailed at this stage.

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

          Agree but lost his place once already this season. Coady captain will always play

  6. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Think this is my final WC team. thoughts? has 0m itb

    Mendy -- Forster
    Taa • Shaw • Rudi -- Holding Veltman
    Salah • Bruno • Son • Lingard • Jota
    Kane • Nacho --- Davis

    Worth having sterling (c) instead and do sterling >> bruno next week? generally prefer saving a FT after WC so i can have 2 for bgw33

  7. Henning
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Hmmm should i start someone from bench?

    Mendy
    Coady Azpi Holding Philips
    Salah Fernandes Jota Son Gundogan
    Kane

    Forster Iheanacho Wood Dias

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

      I'd start Nacho over Holding or Coady.

  8. Davros
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    WC gtg?

    Forster (Martinez)
    Rudiger Philips Coady (Coufal, Veltman)
    Bruno, Salah, Sterling (c), Jota (Lingard)
    Kane, Iheanacho, Vydra

    1.2 ITB

    THANKS!!

  9. GreennRed
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    I'm keeping Maddison on WC -

    Brendan Rodgers today:

    “It was really good to get him back on the field again,” said the manager. “He’s still a bit away from where his peak level would be.

    "To have someone of James available for these important games between now and the end of the season, it's great news for us."

    We can't expect him to be peak level yet but he's quality and Grealish injury ongoing might slightly open the England door for him.

    https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/leicester-city-soyuncu-injury-news-5281341

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

      Hah I read that last sentence as Brendan quoting it 😆 Was like Did he really say that

      1. GreennRed
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        It's what he's thinking, outstanding 😉

    2. Alisson WondHaaland
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Thanks, I might do the same, the comment has put me off slightly though

  10. Garam MOSALAH
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    On WC who will go with ?

    A) Masuaku
    B) Diop

  11. Plagued by indecision
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Double-up on Mendy / Rudiger or bench Rudi for Lowton/Coady?

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

    Is Holding nailed?

    1. jernej93
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      until Luiz is out yes

  13. Better luck next year
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Decent WC squad for a GW33 bench boost?

    Mendy Forster
    TAA Rudiger Coady Fofana Diop
    Salah Jota Son Neto Lingard
    Kane Vardy Iheanacho

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

      Forster blanks in gw 33.

      1. Better luck next year
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Oops, meant 32..

    2. jernej93
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Son Kane Forster blanks in 33 ??

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

    Where is BigManBakar. I miss his excellent analysis.

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

      Already posted. Check Hot Topics.

  15. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Start saiss or cresswell?

  16. KUNingas
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Silly question

    A) Phillips, Vydra + 2.7 ITB
    B) TAA, Davis + 0.0 ITB

    1. Davros
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I’ve gone A

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

        Thinking same, thanks

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

    Fellow wildcarders. Who are you starting?

    A) vydra
    B) Iheanacho

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

      B

    2. Davros
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Both

  18. FantasyTony
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Do we think holding starts for the next few weeks?

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

      Hope so

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

    Vydra or Adams

  20. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    I'm probably going to captain Gundogan. I don't have much (more) to lose!

    Who should be the VC?

    A) Jota (AVL)
    B) Bruno (TOT)
    C) Kane (MUN)
    D) Ihenacho?! (WHU)

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

      jota

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

        Cheers on that already.

  21. richarlison2348
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Play two, must be at least one defender. Thanks all 😀
    Phillips (Avl)
    Coady (Ful)
    Lingard (Lei)
    Iheanacho (Whu)

    1. Davros
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      A and D

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

    For this week only...

    Iheanacho & Sterling
    Or
    Aguero & F.Torres?

    Think carefully, it’s a big one for me lol

    1. Luton_Fan
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      a

  23. Sal8
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Current team.

    Martinez
    Cancelo dias digne
    Gundo fernandes lingard son
    Kane Dcl Bamford

    Subs - Meslier soucek dallas veltman

    3m itb. Wildcard FH BB left.

    Would you wildcard this lot? Afraid of Salah potential
    Or
    Would you take jota captain in for soucek and bench bamford?

    Advice appreciated.

  24. Luton_Fan
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    how is my wc looking?

    Leno, Foster
    coady, holding, alonso, fofana, taa
    salah, jota, sterling c, son, lingard
    kane, nacho, davis

    next gw will do sterling to bruno/Rash.

    gtg?

  25. Salah_Fingers
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Start Forster or Martinez?

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

    Re-post, sorry!
    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

  27. Westfield Irons ⭐️
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Last minute panic about Jota!?
    Is he nailed? Many of the press line up predictions don't include Jota.
    Who scores more this week Gundo or Jota?
    Is it worth booking in Gundo GW31 > Jota in GW32

  28. Boss Hogg
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    On a WC...
    Rüdiger or James?

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

      Rudi. 90 or 0

  29. Carefree Crew
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Mendy, (Forster)
    Alonso (C), Rudiger, Phillips, (Shaw, Holding)
    Salah, Bruno, Son, Jota, (ESR)
    Kane,(vc) Vardy, Iheanacho.

    On WC, only £0.2m ITB.

    1. Risking Chelsea defensive triple up for 3/4 games.
    2. 5 premiums (Salah, Kane, Bruno, Vardy, Son)

    Trying to differentiate within the limited template players, not seen any / many teams with both 1 & 2.
    Hoping Alonso can cover TAA with Phillips covering CS.

    Anyone else as stupid as me with this approach?

  30. tbhogal
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Start holding or Coady??

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

      Holding

    2. Westfield Irons ⭐️
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I am starting Holding over Coady based on clean sheet odds and covering Leno (who I expect will be highly owned for WC'ers)