Team News

FPL Gameweek 9 injury and team news: Updates on Raphinha, Saka and more

We’ve got all the Gameweek 9 team news so far in our first injury round-up of the pre-match press conferences.

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

Among them will be Thomas Tuchel, who may be able to supply us with more information on Romelu Lukaku (£11.7m). The Belgian suffered a twisted ankle on Wednesday night and, according to his manager, will miss “some matches”.

In the meantime, we’ll summarise 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 refreshed between now and Friday’s Fantasy Premier League (FPL) deadline.

LEEDS UNITED

Having missed out in Gameweek 8, Raphinha was mentioned in passing by his manager in Thursday’s press conference.

The Brazilian is isolating in lodgings near the club’s training ground but is able to leave his quarters to train and play, and there was nothing from Bielsa to suggest the winger wouldn’t be match-fit enough to face Wolves this weekend.

Robin Koch (pelvis), Patrick Bamford (ankle), Junior Firpo (muscle) and Luke Ayling (knee) remain out, however, while Kalvin Phillips (calf/hip) also looks set to remain sidelined despite a return to training.

“Ayling and Bamford are not going to be here for the next two games. Raphinha has acclimatised back to his return to England. Koch still has at least one month to go.

“Kalvin [Phillips] is healthy but he hasn’t competed for three weeks, if he played on Saturday it would be far too quick. After three weeks out, it’s necessary for more football training. In this stage, he’s done training sessions for recovery, physical preparation and progressive work with the ball. To think of him for Saturday would be to bring him back too soon before he’s back at his complete best.

“Firpo is evolving quickly and well. I could not tell you exactly how long he has left but the next two games, no. From Norwich (Gameweek 10) onwards, he has chances of being back in the team.” – Marcelo Bielsa

ARSENAL

Granit Xhaka (knee) is the only definite absentee for Arsenal’s clash with Aston Villa but Mikel Arteta was coy on the rest of his team news, with Bukayo Saka (calf) one of the players who needs assessing ahead of Friday’s game.

“[Saka] hasn’t trained yet, we have to assess him today and see how he is. It’s down to the doctors and himself to see how he recovers and how he is feeling between today and tomorrow.

“We have a training session today. We have two or three players that finished the game with some issues, and we have to review them today.” – Mikel Arteta

Kieran Tierney was among those not sighted in training yesterday but “bumps and bruises” were cited as the reason.

SOUTHAMPTON

Che Adams (muscle) has been passed fit for the weekend, leaving just Jack Stephens (knee) on the treatment table for Southampton’s clash with Burnley.

James Ward-Prowse serves the second game of a three-match ban, however.

“There’s still Jack Stephens missing. Ché Adams is back in training and is available for the weekend. There are no injuries there otherwise, so I can pick from a big squad.” – Ralph Hasenhuttl

Asked about his decision to start Armando Broja and bench Adam Armstrong in Gameweek 8, Ralph Hasenhuttl said:

“[Broja] had a slow start here but I think showed very quickly that he has some weapons you can use. Because of the injury to Che, it was the first chance for him to start and I think he grabbed his chance with both hands.

I’m 100% convinced about [Armstrong]. He had a good start with the first goal immediately and then also had a few good games, missing the second goal what he could score in a few games. I’m sure that he will make a lot of games. We have a lot of options up front, we have to look who gets the right decision in the right moments. He can score goals, he shows in every [training] session. It won’t take long until he scores his second in the league.” – Ralph Hasenhuttl

BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION

Steven Alzate (ankle) and Danny Welbeck (hamstring) remain out but Adam Webster (hamstring) has an “outside chance” of featuring against Manchester City following a return to training.

“Adam Webster’s been training this week, he’s had a good week and there’s an outside chance he’ll be available.

“Danny [Welbeck] and Steven [Alzate] are still obviously away, but everyone else is available for selection.

“Tariq [Lamptey] responded really well. He was excited to be on the pitch, he enjoyed it. He’s got a lot of work to do, we just need to keep helping him get back to the Tariq Lamptey we all know.” – Graham Potter

ASTON VILLA

Matty Cash (dead leg), Leon Bailey (thigh) and Bertrand Traore (thigh) are all available for selection, leaving Trezeguet (knee) as the only Aston Villa player on the sidelines on Friday.

“Bertrand Traore and Leon Bailey have come back from four or five weeks out, so we’re building up their fitness. They’ll be in the squad but I’ll have to assess where they are. They’ve both got a chance [of starting]… but are probably lacking fitness minutes.” – Dean Smith

Keinan Davis (knee) has returned to training but looks set to be given game-time with the under-23s before being considered for a first-team return.

BURNLEY

Ben Mee (illness), Matej Vydra (knock) and Charlie Taylor (knock) will all be assessed ahead of the Clarets’ trip to Southampton, while Dale Stephens (ankle) remains out.

“We are going to have to make a decision on all three of them because they are close. It is a three-game week so we will have to make a decision on them. They are all close to it, it’s who we decide for what reasons. We are hopeful on those three but we will have to make a call on it tomorrow.

“Dale Stephens is out on the grass, a longer-term situation.” – Sean Dyche

WATFORD

Peter Etebo (thigh), Nicolas Nkoulou (lack of match fitness), Francisco Sierralta (hamstring) and Christian Kabasele (hamstring) will all miss the trip to Everton but Joshua King has recovered from the knee injury that forced him off in Gameweek 7, having returned to full training this week.

“His best position is right wing. I tried to put him very close to the Liverpool centre-backs and attack on their shoulders. It wasn’t possible and in the second half, I put him in his position. He is much better there.” Claudio Ranieri on Ismaila Sarr

“Ben, in training sessions and on the pitch, is always concentrating. He is thinking of his future. He’s a great actor, great goalkeeper – that’s it.” – Claudio Ranieri on questions over Ben Foster spending too much time on his YouTube channel

670 Comments Post a Comment
  1. WhatWouldYourZlatanSay
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Ramsdale / Sanchez

    Cancelo Azpi Tomiyasu Livra (Marcal)

    Sarah Foden Townsend Saka (Kovacic)

    Lukaku Antonio (Maupay)

    Pretty set on Lukaku > Vardy

    But is it worth a hit for:

    A. Saka > Havertz/Mount
    B. Foden > Son
    C. Maupay > Edouard
    D. Marcal > Chilwell?

    Cheers guys

    1. gellinmagellan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      A

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

      That’s a proper hard one but yeah probably A

    3. BrockLanders
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      A

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

    Bottomed: Looks like vardy is going up tonight, lukaku down, worth pulling the trigger now?

    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Yes

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

      Yes

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

        Or wait to see if Antonio comes through unscathed.

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

          Oh, that aged well!

          Yes.

  3. Kryptonite666
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Guys, need help. I’m blanking on what to do with Lukaku here for -4.

    0.3 ITB

    Sanchez
    TAA Cancelo Rudiger Livramento (Marcal)
    Salah Son Mbeumo Gray (Mendy)
    Vardy Lukaku (Perica)

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

      Well I’d take him out, unless you start Marcal? Otherwise I’d look at maybe Jiminez or Eduaord?

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

      If you did Lukaku to Toney, who could you get to next week with Perica or Mendy mate???

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

      Has to be Jimenez, imo. Perica to Toney next GW

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

        Leeds are in ruins, Wolves are howling in attack

  4. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Bottomed. Sorry for the repost.

    Best FWD under 7.4:

    A) Nacho
    B) Hwang
    C) Wilson
    E) Watkins

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

      C - Wilson. Bit biased but he scores goals

    2. waltzingmatildas
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Hmm maybe c

    3. Mo Mané No Problems
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      C

  5. Mo Mané No Problems
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Last decision on WC. Which one looks better? Player in brackets will be on the bench with Livra and Duffy.

    A) Hwang (D.Luiz)
    B) Townsend (Broja)

    1. waltzingmatildas
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      B

  6. waltzingmatildas
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    On wc:
    A) vardy
    B) Kane

    1) foden
    2) havertz

    1. Mo Mané No Problems
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      A1

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

    How’s that not a foul on Scarlett ?

    Joke

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

      Dunno. It's a Mysteron.

      1. Bolton’s Wanderers
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Excellent reference!

      2. Goro Majima
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Round of applause.

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

    Southampton fans, do you think A. Armstrong may start up too this weekend?

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

      50/50

  9. gellinmagellan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    First on bench (Keeping Saka in starting 11 right now)
    1. White vs Villa (home)
    2. Coady vs Leeds (away)

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

      1

    2. Water_Pink
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      White

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

    Lukaku Saka -> Vardy Raphinha?

    Ramsdale Foster
    TAA Azpi Cancelo White Livramento
    Salah Foden Saka Mbeumo Douglas Luiz
    Lukaku Antonio Jimenez

    1 FT, 0.2 ITB

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

      Looks good

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

      Shift time

  11. BrockLanders
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Evening chaps

    Lukaku & Mahrez to Kane & Havertz for -8?

    Yes or no?

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

      Anyone????

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

      Not for -8.

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

        Just Lukaku to Kane -4?

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

    Yep, no Antonio is the match squad.

    Jesus to the saviour?!

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

      More hits or bench depth needed.

      Whoever said benching headache 'eh?

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

      West Ham United - KRC Genk lineups on SofaScore.com/west-ham-united-krc-genk/MsPhb

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

    Auba (AVL, lei, WAT)
    Vardy (bre, ARS, lee)

    Really starting to fancy Auba over Vardy. Both nailed and on pens. Cheaper and more of a differential. Think I prefer Aubas fixtures. Brentford tight defensivly and Arsenal have improved as well. In addition, Auba in will give me a player to watch in the friday night game. Thoughts?

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      No reason to agree, but I hope you are right. Am about 0.5 million short of WC I want.

  14. royals forever
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Who to sell first

    Odegaard
    Sarr
    Raphinha

    Any ideas would be welcomed

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

      Why sell Raph?

    2. BrockLanders
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Odegaard

    3. Snake Juice
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Odegaard

    4. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Ode

  15. Snake Juice
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Saka's back in training.

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Yes one less worry

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

      Ayee!

  16. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Thoughts on that WC team?
    Any other issues than no TAA?

    Raya/Foster
    Azpi/Cancelo/Chilwell/Livra/Duffy
    Salah/Son/Havertz/Raph/Mbeumo
    Vardy/Toney/Broja

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

      Looks good

    2. Birds of Prey
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I'd turn one of those Che def's into VVD. GL

      1. Yank Revolution
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Good call

  17. cruzex
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Please,choose one:

    KDB + Toney

    Or

    Son + Jesus

    ty

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

      Tough one- KDB and Toney I think

    2. Birds of Prey
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      KDB and Toney seems due

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

      A for me.

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

    I had a funny feeling that there would be an Antonio injury issue too. But before the game... Is it that hamstring or another explanation?

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

      A rest?

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

        Less likely as West Ham are prioritising the Europa league after qualifying well along with the league.

        Likely something more serious but could be okay and patched up for Sunday?

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

          Lukasz Fabianski, Kurt Zouma, Angelo Ogbonna, Said Benrahma, Pablo Fornals and Michail Antonio drop out.

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

            Okay, in that case with 2 wins perhaps the Spurs rivalry is more important then.

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

            Albeit most of those are sat on the bench.

        2. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Still a rest.

    2. Brehmeren
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Rested

  19. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    No Antonio, not even on the bench.

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

      Id say thats good for owners

      1. Yank Revolution
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Yes- look how many starters are benched!

  20. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Who scores more over next two GWs:

    1. Toney (LEI, bur)
    2. Vardy (bre, ARS)

    Thanks

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

      U would say Vardy. I have Toney since the start but he really didn’t do much. Every time u watch him he is so close to a big haul, but never happens.

  21. King Huth
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Is it worth doin grealish to havertz for -4 and (C)

    Differential upside and 3 game payoff

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

      I wouldn’t.

  22. cravencottage
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Could use some help: Lukaku, Jota to

    A) Firmino, Son
    B) Toney, KDB
    C) Vardy, Havertz/Mount

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

      B for me, bud I don’t think a lot will agree.

    2. BrockLanders
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      C

    3. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      sure you want to lose jota?

    4. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      C, but forget Mount

  23. Patron
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    So down to this:

    a) KDB and Zaha
    b) Vardy and Jimenez

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

      I had one job…

      KDB and Jimenez

      Or

      Vardy and Zaha

  24. cruzex
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    My WC team is Done.

    Gaita
    Cancelo Laporte Chilwel Livramento
    KDB (C) Salah Raph Mount
    Toney Vardy

    Bench: Raya White Mbeumo Scarlett

    KDB + Toney

    Or

    Son + Jesus??

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Let's talk about Kevin, prefer Jesus and Son

  25. ManofKent
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Start Livramento -541 or Hwang 442?

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      hwang!

      1. ManofKent
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Probably sensible, but I can't see Burnley scoring...

  26. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    I have no idea what to do with Jota. world is my oyster in terms of money, was however thinking raphinha. not keen on havertz.thoughts? thanks

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      could also upgrade to son

  27. lilmessipran
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Tonio just rested or injured or something?

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      rested probably

    2. Siva Mohan
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      rested for Spurs

  28. Ronnies
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Best option:

    A) Ronaldo > Kane
    B) Ronaldo > Vardy
    C) Keep Ronaldo

    Cheers.

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      c

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

    Gil needs to hit the gym, to lightweight for someone with no pace