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. KUNingas
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    On WC

    A) Dias, Holding
    B) Fofana, Coady

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

      A all day

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

      A

    3. Corona is not good 4 U
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I think A.

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

    Bottomed

    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. LIARS POKER
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Dias to TAA

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

        TAA is interesting but Liverpool have been awful, they have no CBs and City have been the best in the league defensively and I can easily cover their blank with bench. Not sure I want to drop Dias

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

      Smith Rowe to Neto

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

        Neto is better but when would I want to bench any of those other attackers

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

      No TAA Salah or Jota!?

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

        KDB becomes Salah if Liverpool show any signs of life

        Form over fixtures for me they have been absolutely awful

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

    Start Holding or Shaw?

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

      Holding all day

      1. Mighty Banana
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Isn't it sore?

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

      Don't bench Shaw, look what happened vs City

  4. Corona is not good 4 U
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Raphinha and Calvert-Lewin -> Jota and Iheanacho for - 4?

    Thank you!

  5. bjarnia87
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Help please decide this

    1. Mighty Banana
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I don't agree, bad idea.

      1. bjarnia87
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Yeah haha. Lost some text here . But maybe u can see comment bit more down

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

    A) Sterling (C), Salah

    B) Jota, Salah (C)

    Which one scores more?

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

      I'd go A

  7. AD2110
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Captain:
    A) Kane
    B) De Bruyne
    C) Jota

    Play 1:
    1) Watkins
    2) Bamford

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

      B1

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

      B1

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

    play Cresswell or Shaw?

    1. LǝgleSs e|even
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Im on Cres for attacking potential

  9. LǝgleSs e|even
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Armband dilemma -

    Salah or Laca?

    1. Thomas Magnum
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Probz Salah tough though

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

      Salah

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

    Quick vote please guys:

    a) Lingard & Fofana
    b) Jota & Veltman / Lowton

    1. Thomas Magnum
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      A for me

  11. Thomas Magnum
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Which duo?
    A) Ings & ESR (can bench Ings in 33)
    B) Diagne & Maddison

  12. Oggle22
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    G2G?
    Leno
    TAA Holding Coady
    Salah(c) Son Bruno Jota Neto
    Iheanaco Kane

    Forster Fabio Silva Amartey Mitchell

    Cheers

    1. Thomas Magnum
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Bench too weak for me

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

        this

  13. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Best captain pick?

    a) Jota (AVL)
    b) TAA (AVL)
    c) Fernandes (tot)
    d) Kane (MUN)

    1. Thomas Magnum
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      C or D most likely not sure which myself

    2. LǝgleSs e|even
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      A or D

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

      I'd go A

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

    Final WC draft.. 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

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

    Mount or Neto (wc)

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

      Or Lingard?

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

        JLingz

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

      Lingard

  16. Taribo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Concerns about KDB and Stones not starting. Shaw and Jota also minor doubts.

    Worth bringing in Nacho for Antonio to provide cover? Would be -8

    Martinez
    Stones Shaw Phillips
    KBD Jota Lingard Bruno Rapha
    Kane Watkins

    McCarthy Targett Antonio Struijk

  17. seanie3
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Help please, on my WC any changes I should make

    Mendy (Forster)
    Stones, Shaw, TAA (coady, holding)
    Sterling, Salah, Jota, Lingard, Gundo
    Kane, Iheanacho (Vydra)

  18. Abra Dubravka
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    For long term,

    A) Shaw
    B) Coady
    C) Fofana?

    1. Meme2011
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      shaw

  19. yanky
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    why do i see veltman in some wildcards????

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

      Good fixture in 33

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

    As someone who watches all Arsenal games, it baffles me to see so many opting for Holding. We are truly awful and can easily concede against any team.

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

      This, they made Liverpool look good!

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

        And after arsenal lost tierney, Liverpool exploited his side all of the second half.

  21. Meme2011
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    last bit of help before settling on WC please guys.

    i'm 0.1m away from getting Maddison next week - do i risk that Son goes down 0.1m this week which allows me to afford him?

    if so i'll pick Coufal

    if not i'll pick Rudiger

    1. Thomas Magnum
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Coufal for safety, I'd worry Son won't drop once people remember he has a double

      1. Meme2011
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        even with coufal i'm 0.1m short - but youve helped by saying not to take the risk

  22. pol
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Who to bench:

    A- Nacho (whu)
    B- Son (MUN) - have kane
    C- Lingard (LEI)

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

      Has to be A unfortunately

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

    Neto or lingard and get lingard back in a few weeks?

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

      Look at Neto and Wolves form....

  24. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    WC activated:
    Mendy, Forster
    TAA, Rudiger, Holding, Coufal, Amartey
    Salah, Jota, Bruno, Lingard, Son
    Kane, Iheanacho, Vydra

    Suddenly really nervous to have no City. Anything worth changing to accommodate?

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

      I'd punt on Sterling or KDB over Salah this week on a WC

  25. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Kun(c) 1 week punt in WC or no?

  26. G00LI0
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Anyone else tempted to captain KDB and hope the pep dice falls nicely?

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

      Sterling

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

    Is it worth ditching Shaw* to Fofana/Coady if on a WC?

    1. Cojones of Destiny
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      think so

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

      im keeping

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

      I'd want them all on a WC, TAA Shaw Fofana Coady Rudiger, boom!

  28. Cojones of Destiny
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Cap:
    a. Kane
    b. Bruno
    c. Jota

  29. tabby98
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Right starting 11?

    Mendy
    TAA, Rudiger, Alonso,
    Salah, Jota, Lingard, Bruno, Neto
    Iheanacho, Kane

    Forster | Dias, Vydra, Holding

  30. bjarnia87
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    A) sell Abu, and get : Salah,TAA, vryda -4
    B) sell Bale and get: Salah, vryda (will keep Abu but no TAA)

    1. Mighty Banana
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      B.

      Bale has to go imo.