Team News

FPL Gameweek 8 injury and team news: Updates on Raphinha, Torres and more

We’ve got all the Gameweek 8 team news so far in our latest injury round-up of the pre-match press conferences, with Raphinha the headline act from Thursday’s conference calls.

Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa was one of six Premier League head coaches to face the media on Thursday, while a further 13 top-flight bosses are set to provide us with injury updates on Friday.

New Watford head coach Claudio Ranieri spoke to reporters yesterday and you can find updates on the Hornets’ injury latest here.

We’ll round up the key updates from today’s pressers in the article below. Don’t forget to keep checking our Predicted Line-ups page and Injuries and Bans tab, which will be gradually updated between now and Saturday’s Fantasy Premier League (FPL) deadline.

LEEDS UNITED

Raphinha’s involvement against Southampton looks in some doubt and will partly hinge on how many minutes he racks up for Brazil in their World Cup qualifier against Uruguay on Friday morning.

Marcelo Bielsa said that there were “many aspects to consider” when evaluating whether Raphinha would feature, citing game-time and travel as factors.

“The options that he has to participate in the game on Saturday depends on whether he plays this final [Brazil] game tonight, how many minutes he plays, how he finishes the game, after he has participated in it, how efficient the rest he can have in the next 36 hours is considering that a third of those will be spent flying, and if there’s any risk that the fatigue could cause injuries, then we won’t risk him. There are so many aspects to consider that I can’t offer you any certainties either way.” – Marcelo Bielsa on Raphinha

Robin Koch (pelvis), Patrick Bamford (ankle) and Luke Ayling (knee) remain out but Bielsa confirmed on Thursday that Adam Forshaw (thigh) and Crysencio Summerville (illness) have been passed fit, while Kalvin Phillips (calf) “has chances” of being able to play after withdrawing from the England squad over the international break.

“Bamford won’t play. He has a problem in his ankle which we informed previously. His recovery is subject to the evolution of the injury. I anticipated a date [for him to return], it wouldn’t be because I have arguments to do so. The evolution we have to control is on a day-to-day.

“Kalvin [Phillips] has chances of being able to do so.

“Koch is in the US where he will undergo a simple procedure to try and solve his problem in the pubis. Ayling is at the halfway stage of his process of recovery. Forshaw and Summerville are available again.” – Marcelo Bielsa

BURNLEY

Ben Mee will miss the trip to Manchester City after testing positive for Covid-19, while Matej Vydra and Charlie Taylor are doubts after picking up knocks over the international break.

Maxwell Cornet‘s hamstring injury looks to have cleared up, however, with the winger jetting off to join up with the Ivory Coast squad in the last week and then rejoining training today.

“The only one we’ve got missing, not because of injury but because of Covid, unfortunately, is Ben Mee. He’s fine but he’s tested positive so he has to go through the protocols before he comes back in.

“A few knocks, Vyds come back with a bit of a knock, so we’ll wait and see on that one. Probably touch and go. Charlie Taylor has had a couple of knocks, a little bit touch and go on him. Maxwell [Cornet] has come through fine, he’s trained today.” – Sean Dyche

ARSENAL

Granit Xhaka (knee) is a long-term absentee but aside from a “minor injury” that renders Gabriel Martinelli a doubt for the visit of Crystal Palace, Mikel Arteta said that he had no fitness concerns following the end of the October international break. 

“Not any bad news, at the moment everybody seems to be OK. Granit [Xhaka] is progressing really well but obviously, we know that it’s a long-term injury.

“We haven’t had the players here yet. Some of them because they’re still traveling and they’ve not been assessed by the medical staff.

“Unfortunately, [Martinelli] got injured last week – it’s a minor injury and we don’t know if he’s going to be available for Monday.” – Mikel Arteta

SOUTHAMPTON

Che Adams (muscle) has joined Jack Stephens (knee) on the sidelines for Southampton’s clash with Leeds, although the striker’s injury – unlike that of Stephens – isn’t a serious one.

Tino Livramento was among the Southampton players who were representing their countries over the October international break but, Adams aside, Ralph Hasenhuttl has reported no fresh concerns from his returning squad members.

James Ward-Prowse begins a three-match ban, however.

“Jack Stephens is still out. We have Che Adams returning back from the internationals with a muscle injury. It’s not too serious but for this game on the weekend, he is definitely out.

“I’ve not seen everybody back so far but the reports have been quite positive for the rest, that they are all well.” – Ralph Hasenhuttl

BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION

Steven Alzate (ankle) and Danny Welbeck (hamstring) are both set for spells on the sidelines after undergoing surgery but Brighton have been handed a boost by the return of Enock Mwepu (groin), Adam Webster (hamstring) and Yves Bissouma (knee) to training.

“Both Danny Welbeck and Steven Alzate suffered injuries in the Crystal Palace match which require surgery, and therefore both players will be out for a significant period of time.

“Enock Mwepu, Adam Webster and Yves Bissouma are back in training, and all three have a chance of being available for selection this weekend.” – Graham Potter

BRENTFORD

Thomas Frank confirmed late this afternoon that Kristoffer Ajer (hamstring) and Vitaly Janelt (thigh) should both be fit to play for Brentford against Chelsea after missing out in Gameweek 7.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Aside from the six official pre-match pressers, there was also news emerging from Spain that Ferran Torres is set to miss up to six weeks of action with a foot fracture. Manchester City confirmed the midfielder is injured but haven’t put an exact timeframe on his recovery.

Everton boss Rafael Benitez was speaking to the club’s in-house media, meanwhile, and said of his walking wounded:

“The international break is an opportunity to bring back players. Alex Iwobi was training and [so were] Digne and Coleman – that is good news for us – they have started training with the team.

“The others are improving and we will see in the week how they are. Lucas [Digne] had an issue and for two or three days was under treatment but he has started training.

“Fingers crossed [for Yerry Mina], hopefully everything will be fine in the last game [for Colombia], then we will see.” – Rafael Benitez

914 Comments Post a Comment
  1. vova
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Play 1:

    A) Raphinha
    B) Toney
    C) Livramento

    1. Amartey Partey
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      C

    2. Stimps
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      A

    3. Sharkytect
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      A

    4. acidicleo
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      B

    5. Geordie19
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      A

  2. Saosin
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    No love for Vardy on WC?

    1. Thomas Jerome Newton
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      He should be considered.
      Maybe people keeping quiet about him.

    2. Cheeto__Bandito
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      its him or Son, seems a coin flip imo

      1. Saosin
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        That's what i'm thinking. Going Vardy myself.

    3. Arteta
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I've seen a lot of teams with Vardy actually. He's also the second most transferred in forward.

    4. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      at the expense of Lukaku or Antonio ? can’t afford all 3 really

      1. Saosin
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Antonio could swing either way i feel

  3. Cheeto__Bandito
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Antonio and Foden
    or
    Hwang and Son?

  4. L S P
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    A) Foden + Smith Rowe
    B) Mount OR Jota + Saka

    Cheers

  5. Arteta
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Good evening all. Dou you see any transfer(s) worth making with 1FT and 2.3 in the bank?

    Ramsdale (Sánchez)
    Cancelo Rüdiger Tierney Livramento (Williams)
    Salah Saka Sarr Gray (Gallagher)
    Ronaldo Lukaku (Scarlett)

    Benching Conor because I'm praying for another clean sheet at the Emirates.

    1. BIGREDDOG
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Yeah I'd probably fancy Sarr to Foden. Gallagher is decent back up.

      1. Arteta
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        I thought about it as well. Thanks for help!

  6. Oooo Matron
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    A or B?

    A) Laporte, Walker, White & Mendy

    B) Azpi, James, Walker & Ramsdale

    1. acidicleo
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      B

  7. King Kohli
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Wc team GTG?

    Ramsdale Foster
    TAA Cancelo Dias Duffy Livramento
    Salah Son Saka Mbeumo Brownhill
    Lukaku Antonio Hwang

    Leaning towards Dias + Saka instead of Laporte + Raphinha.

  8. wulfrunian
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Do you think that Foden will start?

    1. FantasyHero
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I think so

  9. Athletic Nasherbo
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Another hour, another draft. Thoughts?

    Ramsdale
    Cancelo Dias Cucurella Duffy
    Salah Son Mahrez Saka Townsend
    Lukaku

    Raya Toney Livramento Archer

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Looks decent, though I wouldn't double up on BHA defense due to mix upcoming fixtures.

      Not sure about double GKs as well but not much in it if you are comfortable rotating GKs.

      1. Athletic Nasherbo
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        The thought is to essentially gamble on the Norwich game. Cucerella after the two tough ones back in, and Duffy most likely has lost his place by then.

        I prefer rotating keepers; a differential these days.

  10. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Muscle fatigue is bad, kaku owners should be worried

    1. mdm
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      He trained today though

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

    Thoughts about this WC?

    Ramsdale Foster
    TAA Rudiger Cancelo White Livramento
    Salah Grealish Raphinha ESR Douglas Luiz
    Lukaku Antonio Jimenez

    0.6 ITB

  12. Dammit_182
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    With Torres ‘out for up to 6 weeks’ does the risk of picking foden/grealish etc all. Lessen and I anyone now swayed to get a city mid in!

    1. Diddly Squat
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Foden has only played in 3 games , one of those for 18 mins . Man City mids are just a complete gamble . Pick someone who is going to play every week , city are a minefield

      1. Dammit_182
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        That’s been my attitude so far BUT I do feel injuries to key players with city makes it less of a lottery.

        For me it means a -4 to get one in though…

    2. Don Van Vliet
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      If Gundog still out then surely, yes.
      However: cue Mahrez...

      1. Dammit_182
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        He is the pick of the week. Pick of the next 3/4 though??

        The more that are out the more tempting a punt on one becomes though

    3. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      yes it does, still a bit of a minefield though - just got to hold through the non-starts

      1. Dammit_182
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Yea, I failed miserably at that last season so not sure I can go there though I’m getting much closer to being tempted.

  13. Dammit_182
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    ? Fail….

  14. Ibralicious
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Got about 4 flags in this bunch:

    Sanchez
    TAA - Cancelo - Rüdiger - White
    Salah - Raphinha - Saka - Gray
    Ronaldo - Lukaku

    (Steele - Livramento - McArthur - Scarlett) - 0 FT - TV 101.6

    Would it be possible to scrape by without a hit this GW? Cheers!

  15. winchester
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Current WC draft. GTG?. still contemplating if rudiger (+duffy) should be replaced.. too much with Jansson in B? cheers

    ramsdale (foster)
    taa-cancelo-rudiger* (duffy*-livra)
    salah(c)-son-raph-mbeumo (luiz)
    antonio-lukaku-hwang

    A) rudi+duffy
    B) james+jansson/white
    C) 6.2m+manquillo
    D) james+duffy
    E) any other combo?

    1. UnitednationsXI
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      convinced about going son/hwang over foden/jimi?

      D

      1. winchester
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        safer, i would imagine. think also that hwang will start most games..

  16. martyhan
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Thoughts on this WC side please

    Ramsdale Foster
    Taa Cancelo dias rudiger livramento
    Salah raphina saka mbeumo brownhill
    Jimi Antonio lukaku

  17. mcginnntonic
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Need to WC now bamford confirmed out.

    Thoughts?

    Sanchez (Steele)
    Trent Cancleo James (Livra / Duffy)
    Salah KDB Raphina Mbeumo (ESR or Doucoure)
    Antonio Werner A. Armstrong

    0.5m left ITB

  18. Arteta
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    https://www.mancity.com/news/mens/manchester-city-burnley-training-gundogan-zinchenko-63769823

    Dias and Silva are here but I don't see Cancelo. Shouldn't the Portuguese come back together?

  19. Cok3y5murf
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Lucky Torres owners will actually transfer him out now when he wouldn't have played anyway

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      What Torres owners?

      1. Cok3y5murf
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Meant the casuals. They are people too

        1. Rupert The Horse
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Barely.

      2. Botman and Robben
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        😀

  20. Scholes Out For Summer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Which of the move would you do here? Really stuck at the moment

    A) Shaw + Sarr --> Cancelo + ESR (-4)
    B) Shaw --> Christensen
    C) Traore --> Mbeumo, play Sarr
    D) Traore/Sarr --> ESR, play ESR
    E) hold, and plan to do 3 transfers next to do CR7, Shaw, Traore/Sarr out for -4

    1. F4L
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      C for me, Traore needs to go if you're relying on him this week, Mbeumo is a good long term pick

      1. Scholes Out For Summer
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Not relying on Traore, have him benched atm and playing 433 with Sarr playing

        Traore would be gone next GW regardless me thinks

        1. F4L
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          fair enough, I guess it depends on how badly you want Cancelo this week/rid off Sarr/Shaw. Might be best to do E then, ride out the week for a bit more clarity, and do the mini-WC with 3 transfers.

          1. Scholes Out For Summer
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            Thats what im leaning towards honestly. Smells like a Cancelo benching coming

  21. F4L
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    got 7.5mil for a mid, should just play it safe with Gray/Townsend right? For some reason Barnes/Silva tempt me 😆

    1. Y26 Royal
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Barnes is out long term mate

      1. F4L
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Harvey? Could play his way back into form

        1. Y26 Royal
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Ignore me mate, i was thinking of someone else completely!! For what it's worth i'd go Gray from that lot. Especially with DCL back soon

          1. F4L
            • 9 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            🙂 No worries, cheers!

  22. Hosshotpot
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Which one out and which one in:
    Alonso or Christensen (out)
    Cancelo or Dias (in)

    1. F4L
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Christensen/Cancelo if you don't need the extra money and you have a strong bench.

      1. Hosshotpot
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        I have Benrahma, Marçal and street on the bench

    2. Y26 Royal
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Alonso out, Cancelo in

  23. Feed tha Sheep
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Who would you rather have this week?

    A. Trent
    B. Cancelo

    1. F4L
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Cancelo for home advantage/Ranieri

    2. acidicleo
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      A

  24. tim
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Rudi or Azpi?

    Cheers!

    1. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Rudi if fit

    2. Hosshotpot
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Azpi is more pinned and may being attacking returns

    3. acidicleo
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Azpi

  25. Y26 Royal
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Best defender 4.6 or below. Not Livramento, Duffy or Arsenal

    1. F4L
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      you're kind of stuck looking at the Wolves/Brentford defenders. Maybe Pinnock? Seems like he has decent goal threat

    2. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Jansson for me!!

  26. My heart goes Salalalalah
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Good ebening all. I'm not sure if I'll have any other time to tinker with my wc, so I would appreciate your input on my team. 0.1itb

    Ramsdale
    TAA Cancelo James
    Salah Son Raph Townsend
    Antonio Lukaku Toney
    Foster Livra D. Luiz Manquillo

    1. Y26 Royal
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Nice team mate

      1. My heart goes Salalalalah
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers

    2. acidicleo
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Nice

      1. My heart goes Salalalalah
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks mate

  27. tbos83
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Ronaldo is going to punish WC'ers

    1. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      And ordinary sellers like myself.

    2. acidicleo
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Hope kaku don't punishers the wait one more weekers!!

    3. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      It's quite possible that Ronaldo gets a brace and breaks the orthodox thinking on here...

  28. b91jh
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Thoughts on getting Walker+KDB on wc then change to TAA+Son before or around the manchester derby?

    1. FPLtfs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Dont’t like planned transfers on WC, especially not a double transfer.

  29. FPLtfs
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Sanchez
    TAA, Rudiger, Semedo, Livra
    Salah (c), Greenwood, Raph
    Lukaku, Antonio, Jimenez
    4.0, Sarr, Allan, Williams
    1ft, 1.8 itb

    Williams and Sarr -> Cancelo and Mbuemo (-4)?

    Other suggestions?

  30. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Evening all!! Just seen pics of Lukaku In training today, any pics of Rudiger?? Or any news??