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. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Kane or Jota captain?

    1. Bob.
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Kane if feeling safe. Jota more brave/punty

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

      Jota

  2. LewanGOALski
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Bamford ➡ Iheanacho for a hit (-4)

    Yes or No?

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

      I would

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

      No

    3. Bob.
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      No

    4. ..RL..
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Will likely do this, next 3 fixtures for Bamford vs top6

    5. Forza Papac
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Yes

    6. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      No

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

    GTG?

    Mendy
    TAA Rudiger Castagne
    Salah Sterling (c) Gundo Jota
    Kane Nacho Wood

    Forster Neto Holding Shaw

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

      Yep

  4. Redranger
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    GTG?

    Mendy Forster
    TAA Rudiger Fofana Holding Dawson
    Salah Jota Bruno Lingz Son
    Kane Nacho Vydra

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

      Yes

    2. Michelle Davin
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Get a wolves def

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

        Could only be for Fofana and I’d rather a Leicester defender over a Wolves defender

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

    Play raphinha or DCL?

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

      DCL

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

    Would you do AWB to Trent this week or just save FT?

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

      I would

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

    Callum Wilson is not flagged anymore in FPL? Is he back already?

  8. The VAR Team
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Which option on WC?

    A) Lloris James Coufal
    B) Mendy Reguilon Coufal
    C) Mendy Shaw Coady (only two Spurs next week)

    1. Bob.
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      B or C. Probably C just

    2. Pedaso Pirates
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      B

  9. The Big Fella
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Safest captain picks this week in terms of EO?

    1. Rotation's Alter Ego
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Salah will be top EO I'm sure. Not that you should base captaincy purely on EO 😉

  10. winchester
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Lads, Final WC draft below.. Please rate.. have only TC left , no BB.

    mendy (forster)
    taa rüdiger coady (lowton mitchell)
    salah bruno lingard son jota(C)
    kane ihenacho (davis)

    G2G? 0m itb

  11. Genji3lade
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Which one would you bench?

    A.) Stones (Lee)
    B.) Cresswell (Lei)
    C.) Shaw (Tot)

    1. djman102
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I'm currently benching Shaw over Cresswell. Would probably play Stones if I had him (all or nothing highly likely IMO)

      1. Genji3lade
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Thanks! GL

  12. Coys96
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Is Holding nailed?

    1. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      With Luiz out yes he is

    2. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Chambers can play CB. There is Mari too. In addition to Gabriel.

  13. WorldCup82
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Hi all... I'm 65 points down in my mini league..

    Here is what I'm thinking for my wildcard team (with bench boost in 33, where I'd transfer out Kane and Son)

    Johnstone, Sanchez
    Rudiger, Coufal, Saiss, Veltman, Holding
    Salah, Son, Fernandes, Neto, Raphinia
    Kane, Bamford, Iheanacho

    0.1 in the bank

    Thoughts?

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

    Pick two on a wc

    A. Greenwood
    B. Mount
    C. Maddison

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

      B & C

  15. King Henrik
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Please HELP me choose one of the following.

    A. Neto and Rudiger
    B. Saka and Rudiger
    C. Lingard and Holding

    1. djman102
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      If you don't have any Chelsea defenders, A for me, though it's almost a tossup with B.

  16. _Ninja_
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    5th Def on a WC?

    A Coady
    B Konsa

    1. In Bale We Trust
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      A

    2. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      a

    3. Bob.
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      A

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

    *bottomed
    Which one in Wc?
    a)Phillips+Dcl
    b)Taa+Brewster

    1. djman102
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      B for me. Don't fully trust DCL at the moment, and no benching headaches with B

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

        cheers

  18. In Bale We Trust
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Best punt in the Son slot for one week? Kind of staggered by the lack of options...

    1. Bob.
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Sterling

    2. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Just play him. 40% chance he scores

    3. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I am between Pereira and Mount.

    4. WVA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Sterling

    5. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Going Gundo myself

  19. wildnothing
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    How about this wc draft? 2.3 itb

    Mendy Forster
    TAA Alonso Reguilon Saiss Phillips
    Fernandes Son Jota Lingard Mount
    Kane Iheanacho Wood

  20. HD7
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Right order of Captain choice

    Sterling Salah Gundo ?

  21. Igz08
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    WC come down to two decisions:

    A) Coady vs Saiss
    B) Start Rudiger or Coady/Saiss

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

    Vardy for one of Bamford/Watkins worth -4?

  23. Mr Bird
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Any playing 4.0 or less defenders that aren’t Philips?

  24. TAT
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Worth taking the risk on a non playing second GK (in other words, a 3.9 option instead of Forster)?

    Picking Button at 3.9, and David at 4.2 gives me the possibility to have both TAA, Son and keeping Dias as City cover.

    Mendy
    Dias - TAA - Rüdiger
    Salah - Jota - Son - Lingard - Fernandes
    Iheanacho - Kane
    (Forster - Davis - Shaw - Holding)

    1. djman102
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I would. I have Martinez and Steer myself.

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

        I imagine the chances of Mendy missing a game is slim. Would be annoyng though, should it happen!

        Did consider keeping Martinéz too, but found picking Mendy too tempting. 🙂

  25. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Which ONE to play ??.....

    Vydra.
    Nacho
    Holding

    1. King Henrik
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Vydra

      1. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Thanks mate, my earlier question was confusing...........

  26. More Cowbell
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Last wildcard dilemma...

    a) Jota & Veltman
    or
    b) Lingard and Fofana

  27. Konstaapeli
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    A) Elmo to TAA
    B) Bamford to Nacho
    C) Both for a hit

  28. Heisenberg W. W.
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Final WC Team

    Mendy
    TAA-Holding-Rudy
    Bruno-Salah(C)-Gundo-Jota
    Vydra-Nacho-Kane

    (Forster-Jlingz-Coady-Coufal)

    3.2ITB

    Any thoughts?

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

      Vydra to DCL

  29. Coaly
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    On WC, 1.9m itb. Where can I spend it to improve this?

    Mendy
    Dias Rudiger Coady
    KDB Fernandes Son Lingard
    Kane DCL Iheanacho

    Forster, Coufal, N Phillips, Smith-Rowe

    1. Pedaso Pirates
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Upgrade Smith-Rowe

  30. Freshy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    play Cresswell or Shaw