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. GS456
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Did anyone spot Sakah on the Arsenal training videos they posted?

      1. GS456
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks

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

    good to go? 2.2 ITB

    used my FT early in the week. pls RMT and help!

    Sanchez

    TAA White Livra Alonso

    Salah (c) Son Raph Benrama

    Antonio Vardy

    Steele King Allan Williams

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

    Lukaku out for -4 or play Livramento and transfer Lukaku next week?

    1. baines is god
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      play Livramento

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

    Lukaku Saka Benhrama to Vardy Havertz Mbeumo -8?

    Yes or no ?

    I still have the WC and I don't have enough money for the first two only

    TAA Cancelo Rudiger
    Salah Raphina Grealish Benrahma Saka
    Antonio Lukaku

    Livra white

    1. baines is god
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      no need for the 8 point hit when you have two good subs to pick for this wek.

      Any way to get Havertz in without a hit?

      If not I'd just do Lukaku to Vardy

  5. lewis274
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    is Lukaku to Vardy worth it for a free transfer ??

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

      You don't spend much time round here do you?

    2. TKC07
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Try Lukaku to Havertz for a hit..

    3. SHOWSTOPPERRR
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      No coz kaku can easily score 0 points. So worth keeping.

    4. Breaking FPL
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      No way .. easy hold in your case

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

    Another good night for winks lots of sideways passing and zero impact on the game

  7. Bumbaclot
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Foden or Havertz ladies and gents?

    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Both for the cool kids

    2. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Havertz surely? Nailed and better fixtures

    3. Sad Pablo Arsecobar
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Hav will probably play CF for a few weeks as well

  8. Wild Rover
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Start Jota or Hwang?

    Ta 🙂

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Hwang

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

      Hwang

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

      Hwang

    4. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Thanks all

    5. King Kun Ta
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Hwang

    6. Marjie
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Hwang

  9. Dynamic Duos
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Still doing Saka to Haverts-4

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

      Sticking the armband on him, too??

      1. Dynamic Duos
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Think so yeah

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

          Am doing it myself. Fingers crossed he supplies the goods for us...!

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

    Thinking of

    Lukaku, Gray and Perica to Wilson, Toney and Havertz for a -12.

    One return should pay it off ?

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Not a big fan of spreading the cash around or a benching headache. But the moves look good.

    2. BOATIES FC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Sounds very drastic

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

      Wow -12, makes me feel better sitting on -4 & thinking of Lukaku > Auba for another hit 🙁

  11. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Bodø 6 - Roma 1

    Fixed?

    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Defo a bung in there

    2. TKC07
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Mourinho back in PL soon?

  12. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    2FTs, 0.4itb. Considering the below…

    Ronaldo+Mount+Shaw >> Vardy+Havertz+Chillwell (-4)? Or no need for a hit?

    Sanchez
    Rüdiger. TAA. Livramento
    Salah. Mount. Raph. Sarr
    Ronaldo. Antonio. ASM
    (Foster, White, Shaw, Gilmour)

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

      Don't, think Mount will step up now too.

  13. Riverside Red
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    With a Man U renaissance possible against Pools I've gone for Havertz (c) and also transferred in Vardy for (-4). Can't see Salah outscoring Havertz this week. Supported by FF Hub predictions tool.

    1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Havertz can bang this week for sure

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

    2 FTs

    Salah | Raph | Ben | Saka*
    Vardy | Antonio | Lukaku*

    Saka + Lukaku >> Kai + Auba

    do it?

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

    Sanchez (4.0)
    Alonso cancelo liv (marcal williams)
    Salah mahrez jota gray (sissoko)
    Ronaldo jimmy antonio

    Thinking jota + mahrez -> Kai + raph -4

    Mahrez I feel def won't start. Jota and Alonso have an outside chance but Jota against united. If Alonso doesn't play, marcal comes in.

    Thoughts?

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

    Bottomed

    Ramsdale
    TAA Cancelo James
    Salah Foden Mbeumo Raphinha
    Lukaku Antonio Jimenez

    Foster Livramento Duffy Brownhill

    1FT, 0.4 itb

    1. Toney (get Vardy for Antonio GW11)
    2. Vardy (get Toney for Antonio GW11)
    3. Kane

    Thanks

  17. thepancakeman123
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Sarr + Lukaku > Son/Havertz + Toney for a -4.

    Yay or nay?

  18. Eastman
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Play 2 from
    A. Livramento (BUR)
    B. Toney (LEI)
    C Foden (Bri)

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

      BC

    2. cheese XL
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      AC

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

    Havertz worth a hit from any of Mbuemo, Raphinha or Foden?

    1. Stranger Mings
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Tricky as think all of them got good chance of scoring !

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

      Don't think so for a hit
      Especially when bearing in mind Raph has Norwich in GW10, Mbeumo Burnley and Foden Palace

  20. Fernandito
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    What should i do guys?

    A Keep Ronaldo
    B Ronaldo to Kane/Vardy
    C Ronaldo & Gray to KDB & Toney

  21. AD105
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Hate to take a hit one week after wildcarding last week, but is Saka > Havertz worth it?

    Current team:

    Ramsdale
    TAA Azpi Cancelo Livra
    Salah Raph Saka*
    Vardy Jimi Antonio

    Foster Mbuemo Brownhill Duffy

  22. Forcella Boys
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Should I pull the trigger tonight on Lukaku & Sarr > KDB & Toney, I’ve got 2 FT, would leave 0.00 in the bank

    1. WenzelK
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Oh yes!

      1. Forcella Boys
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Ta mate I’ll do it now

  23. Forcella Boys
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    At mate I’ll do it now

  24. Tripleh123
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    G2G?

    Sanchez
    TAA Cancelo Dias Alonso
    Salah Benrahma Raph Gray
    Antonio Vardy

    Subs: Sarr, Duffy, Scarlett

    For a hit of -4,

    a. Alonso> Rudiger
    b.Alonso>Chilwell
    c. Stick

  25. FPL Brains
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Fingers crossed for Saka.

    What a player!

  26. Mr. Mystic
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Start Mbuemo or Livramento?