Team News

FPL team news: Gameweek 23 updates on Son, Ronaldo, James and more

We’ve got the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) team news information in our second press conference summary ahead of Gameweek 23, which also includes a big Double Gameweek 25 hint from Ralf Rangnick.

You catch the headline updates from Thursday’s pressers – featuring Leeds United, Southampton, Watford, Brentford and Norwich City via this link here.

For much more detailed information, check out our Predicted Line-ups page and Injuries and Bans feed.

Az and Neale’s video round-up is below, meanwhile:

And for other help and advice, from our weekly Scout Picks to team reveals, head to our complete Gameweek 23 guide here.

LIVERPOOL

As well as African Cup of Nations (AFCON) trio Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Naby Keita, manager Jurgen Klopp is unsure whether Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will face Crystal Palace after being forced off against Brentford last weekend with a foot problem. He also explained Thursday night’s half-time withdrawal of Joel Matip:

“Joel [Matip’s substitution] was not tactical, we thought something was not 100% right. We had Ibou and Joe on the bench, so that’s why we changed it. The rest, as far as I know, were only knocks.”

Divock Origi (knee), Thiago (hip) and Nathaniel Phillips (cheekbone) are on the sidelines but Harvey Elliott may return from his ankle injury after the winter break.

MANCHESTER UNITED

Cristiano Ronaldo (neck) is a doubt for Manchester United’s clash with West Ham United and faces a late check to determine his availability.

“Cristiano is a question mark because he has a problem with his neck. He received treatment yesterday for two-three hours and we will have to wait to see how he feels today.” – Ralf Rangnick

Full-backs Luke Shaw (hamstring) and Aaron Wan-Bissaka (illness) won’t be available, suggesting that Diogo Dalot and Alex Telles will retain their places. With Eric Bailly at AFCON and Victor Lindelof (personal reasons) also unavailable, there should be a return for Harry Maguire (rib) at centre-back. Jadon Sancho might not be in the right frame of mind to take part, however.

“He [Lindelof] said to me that he right now needs to stay at home. He doesn’t want to leave his wife and family on their own. We agreed that he will not be training today and also not be on duty tomorrow for the game. Jadon [Sancho] didn’t train because he still asked to be able to not train. He attended the [family] funeral on Wednesday. It’s still affected him quite a lot. Right now, I’m not sure if he will be available.” – Ralf Rangnick

Paul Pogba (thigh) is getting closer to a return. Both Scott McTominay (back) and Edinson Cavani (muscle) should be declared fit.

As for the Double Gameweek 25 tease we mentioned earlier…

“”On top of my list is how can we win the game against West Ham, then after the international break, the upcoming games: in the cup against Middlesbrough, Burnley, playing Southampton at home, playing Brighton at home.” – Ralf Rangnick

ARSENAL

Alongside the suspensions of Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey, Mikel Arteta will be without AFCON representatives Nicolas Pepe and Mohamed Elneny this weekend. He wasn’t comfortable with having to play Takehiro Tomiyasu against Liverpool on Thursday, despite a calf issue, but felt the knocks to Cedric and Calum Chambers forced his hand.

“We didn’t want to play him, we had to push him because Cedric and Calum [Chambers] were out and we didn’t have any full-backs. He didn’t have any training sessions with us, and still was willing to play.”

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was sent home from AFCON by Gabon because they found some heart lesions during a scan.

CHELSEA

Not much to say from Thomas Tuchel, who is still without Ben Chilwell (knee), Edouard Mendy (international duty) and Trevoh Chalobah (hamstring). He hopes Andreas Christensen (Covid) will be back in training next week, with good news on the progression of Reece James‘ hamstring injury.

“He is back on the pitch but is in individual training, so far away from being part of the squad in Sunday’s game. Nobody is coming back, it’s the same squad.” Thomas Tuchel on Reece James

MANCHESTER CITY

Oleksandr Zinchenko is out because of a knock but Nathan Ake should be passed fit. Although Algeria were eliminated after the AFCON group phase, Pep Guardiola is giving Riyad Mahrez a week’s holiday.

“He has holiday for a week. After African Cup (of Nations), he [has] permission for [a] week off. He’ll come back next week.”

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

As expected, Son Heung-min (muscle) will not be back for this Gameweek and, like Cristian Romero (hamstring), is aiming to return after the imminent international break. Eric Dier (muscle) is likely to start against Chelsea.

“We are trying to manage a couple of situations, fresh injuries. Eric Dier had a good training session for us and is available. Sonny [Heung-min] not yet. We have to wait. He’s recovering very well but I’m sure we have to wait until after the international break.” – Antonio Conte

LEICESTER CITY

James Justin returned from a long-term injury to play his first competitive minutes of the season in Gameweek 22. The squad crisis that Brendan Rodgers recently faced is starting to ease up, aided by the return of Daniel Amartey from international duty. Still out there are Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi, with the likes of Jamie Vardy (hamstring), Wesley Fofana (leg), Ricardo Pereira (leg) and Jonny Evans (hamstring) not able to play.

“It’s a clean bill of health. [James Justin] came through it really well so that was great news for us. Thus far, everyone is okay. [Daniel Amartey] has come back. He’s worked today and he’ll be available for the weekend.” – Brendan Rodgers

Ryan Bertrand (knee) and Timothy Castagne (thigh) also remain injured.

ASTON VILLA

Centre-back Ezri Konsa (hip) may not be available for Villa’s trip to Everton but – apart from known injuries to Leon Bailey (muscle) and Marvelous Nakamba (knee) – there is very little to report.

“There’s nothing in terms of illness, assuming everyone comes through the testing process this morning. We’ve got a doubt with Ezri Konsa, which you’ll know from the previous game. He left the pitch with a severe whack on his hip, so we’ll make a late decision on that. Besides that, we’re in good health.” – Steven Gerrard

Trezeguet and Bertrand Traore are away on international duty, whilst John McGinn‘s suspension has ended.

NEWCASTLE

Frustrated by not securing any new signings this week, Eddie Howe has confirmed that Callum Wilson (calf), Federico Fernandez (thigh) and Isaac Hayden (knee) remain injured. Left-back Matt Ritchie is a doubt.

“We’ve had Dwight Gayle and Jeff Hendrick return to training this week. Matt Ritchie has a knee problem so we’ll have to assess him. We’re still missing the long term injuries in Callum Wilson, Federico Fernández and Isaac Hayden.”

Javier Manquillo returns from a one-match suspension.

CRYSTAL PALACE

Jordan Ayew is back early from the African Cup of Nations after Ghana’s early elimination, so he could take part for the Eagles this weekend. Wilfried Zaha and Cheikhou Kouyate are still at the tournament, with James McArthur (hamstring) and James Tomkins (knock) still injured.

EVERTON

Anwar El-Ghazi is ineligible to debut for Everton against parent club Aston Villa but caretaker manager Duncan Ferguson doesn’t have much to worry about. Only Tom Davies (knee), Alex Iwobi (international duty) and Fabian Delph (illness) are absent, with a probability that Allan (illness) and Jarrad Branthwaite (hamstring) will be passed fit.

“We’ve got a more or less fully fit squad. They’re all on the training pitch. Fabian Delph [is out] and just the long-term injuries.”

WEST HAM UNITED

As with Mahrez, the Algerian elimination means an early return for Said Benrahma, although David Moyes hasn’t said if he’ll go straight into his matchday squad. Elsewhere, Angelo Ogbonna and Mark Noble have knee injuries, Kurt Zouma (hamstring) isn’t yet ready to return and there’s also uncertainty over Tomas Soucek (Covid).

“We’ve had Covid and we have Covid like everybody else. We have injuries as well, which all has an effect on the players you have available. Tomáš [Soucek] has come back from Covid – we’re not quite sure yet if he’s ready.” – David Moyes

BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION

Assistant manager Billy Reid – filling in for the Covid-stricken Graham Potter – confirmed that Shane Duffy (ankle) and Adam Lallana (hamstring) won’t make the trip to Leicester, although Lewis Dunk (knee) has a chance.

Enock Mwepu (hamstring), Yves Bissouma (AFCON), Jeremy Sarmiento (hamstring) and Jason Steele (back) also will not play.

“Shane Duffy won’t make Sunday, and Adam Lallana will be the same. If Lewis Dunk comes through the final session on Saturday. “He could be in the squad.” – assistant manager Billy Reid

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS

Ruben Neves missed the win over Southampton because of Covid but will return to the side this weekend. Hwang Hee-chan (hamstring), Willy Boly (calf), Romain Saiss (AFCON) and Yerson Mosquera (thigh) are still absent but Marcal (knock) has an outside chance.

Pedro Neto (knee) is a “couple of weeks away” from his first training session back, a milestone that full-back Jonny has finally accomplished after missing almost a year with his own knee issue.

“The next step is for him to win confidence and be comfortable. For now, we go day-by-day, then we can push for more. Yesterday, for the first time he did the whole session. I’m very happy.” – Bruno Lage on Jonny

BURNLEY

Having only played twice over the last six Gameweeks, Sean Dyche is confident that Sunday’s match with Arsenal will go ahead.

“We’ve got a few who are beginning to come back, we’re looking a bit healthier. It has been a long list but we have different people returning. We had 16 out there today, we should be fine.”

Maxwel Cornet is away on international duty but names like Erik Pieters, Matej Vydra, Johann Berg Gudmundsson, Nathan Collins and Dwight McNeil are all likely to feature after recovering from Covid. Ashley Barnes (thigh) remains out and there is a doubt over left-back Charlie Taylor (knock).

“Barnesy is still getting over his injury but he’s beginning to get on the grass with us now. Charlie Taylor is touch and go, got a knock on his foot last weekend. Maxwel [Cornet] is still away until at least Wednesday.”

FPLMarc Newcastle fan that spends far too much time thinking about FPL.

3,448 Comments Post a Comment
  1. XABI 15
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Would you benchboost this for free?

    Ramsdale Martinelli/Ralph rudiger Keane

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

      Don't think so

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

      yes

    3. fricky_
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      no

    4. TheAbear53
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Yep

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

      I would bench boost that if you paid me!

      1. Zladan
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Wouldn't lol well that was ruined. But no, not worth it. especially when games are still being cancelled.

    6. Mufc202020
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      No

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

    If I do Ronaldo to King, I'll have 11.7m itb 😆

    1. ilikewud
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Well aren't you a cocky smurf

  3. jimmyharte
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    A) Son to KDB
    B) Gray to Raphinia

    Cheers!

  4. SHOWSTOPPERRR
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Pages flying but need help

    Guys no city. With Ronaldo a doubt with lamptey or coufal as subs would you do:

    A)cr7 to Dennis C
    B) cr7 to pedro and Gray to kdb -4

    Already got king. Also got salah.

    If utd double on 25 then kdb to Bruno and if spurs double on 26 then Bruno to son.

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

      Both good options, toss a coin

    2. fricky_
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      B

    3. Pablitto
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      B

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

    Who to play ?
    A- Watkins EVE (A)
    B- Martinelli BUR (H)

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

      b

    2. PascalCygan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      B

  6. ilikewud
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Is there a chance Villa and Leeds get a double?

    1. fricky_
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      I think there is a possibility yes

      1. OptimusBlack
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        And when we would know ?

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

      Not likely

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

    Dennis or King mates? Who should I buy

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

      Nothing in it. Dennis has the EO factor, but I’d go King if the extra 0.3 might come in handy

    2. Bury94
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Depends if you prefer form or stats. King for stats, Dennis for form.

  8. Lord of Ings
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Having held on to James till now,might just keep him unless I’m forced to sell..

  9. Philosopher's Stones
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Antonio+Bilva -> King+KDB (-4). Ronaldo starting with Trossard first sub. Yay or nay?

  10. jaguar shark
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Vydraaaaaaah for one week, am I nuts??!!

    Would replace Ronny with Gallagher first on the bench.

    1. jaguar shark
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      too late, i went for it. haha ;b

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

    Who to play?
    Antonio or Mount (have Bowen)

    1. Pablitto
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Mount

  12. Wensink
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Vanilla question:

    a. save my FT
    b. ESR > KDB on a free

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

      b

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

      B

    3. TheAbear53
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Roll it, Burnley at home

  13. fricky_
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Should I change something?
    Lloris
    Taa, Cancelo, Digne
    Bowen Jota KDB Foden
    DCL Antonio Dennis
    Dalot Gray Reg

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

    Weighing up my final starting spot...

    a.) Bowen
    b.) Gray
    c.) KDB (sell Gray for a -4 hit)

    ???

  15. Ginkapo FPL
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    I'm starting to think an Arsenal defender this week is a bad idea with how threadbare they are. Liverpool got very lucky with that postponement

  16. _Gunner
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Ronaldo + Trossard > Dennis + KDB -4?

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

      Yes

    2. Zladan
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Thinking of making the exact same move.

  17. tabby98
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    What to do here?

    DDG, Sanchez
    TAA, Cancelo, Reguilon, Tierney, Keane
    Salah*, Jota, Mount, Bowen, Gray
    Antonio, King, Broja

    1FT £3.1m ITB

    A) Hold
    B) Mount --> Coutinho/Raph/Foden
    C) Broja --> Dennis
    D) Both B + C (-4)

    1. fricky_
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      BC to Raphinha + Dennis for me

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

    Either of these moves worth a hit this week?

    a) Mount > KDB (potentially KDB captain)
    b) Gray > Raphina

  19. Ozzy smith
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Roll FT? 5.3 itb

    Sanchez
    TAA Cancelo Reguilon
    Jota(C) Foden Bowen Bruno
    DCL Antonio Dennis

    (steele gray livra dawson)

    1. fricky_
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      I'd do Dawson> Digne or Cash and bench Reg

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

    Have Dennis

    But think I'm gonna stick with Cancelo (c)

  21. Saintjack01
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Which 2 players would you play out of the 5 below:

    Coady, gray, Bowen, Toney and dalot

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

      Coady and Bowen

  22. The Reptile
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    When is Salah due back?

    I have him and Son - who to sell?

    Sold him but he came back in after FH last week

    1. xvavl
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Same here, holding Salah now and thinking Son to Sterling or Foden for a city mid cover. Otherwise Raphinha would be next pick

  23. jimmyharte
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    A) Son to KDB?
    B) Gray to Raphinia?

    Cheers!

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

      a

  24. Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Ronaldo > Watkins for free?

    I'm likely to do it next week no matter what to fund Salah's return.

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

      yep, do it now.

    2. Kodap
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      I like this, I am also thinking of doing the exact same.. but might be part of a -4 to bring in Digne for Rudiger too. Or just play Rudiger?

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

        I'd play Rudiger.

        I decided not to hit out Alonso because I'm undecided on who to buy. Could be any of Digne, Walker, Ait-Nouri depending on how much money I need to raise for future moves.

  25. Kodap
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    God this game is never simple, last minute spanners in the works are less than ideal.

    Ronaldo owners, you keeping? If not, who are you shifting him for?

    I was planning on Rudiger > Digne but now debating a Ronaldo transfer instead, or both for a -4.

    1. jimmyharte
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      What spanner?

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

      Did Ron train today ?

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

      Keeping

    4. Sulley
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah tough one. I have Antonio first on bench so may keep. What I don’t want is a late sub appearance. Hoping if not fit he won’t play at all.

      Options are Ron > Dennis or to Watkins (who I was planning for next week to fund Salah)

      What are your thoughts?

  26. ididnt
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Bring in Foden or Raph?

  27. fricky_
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Start Digne, Dalot or Reguilon?
    Sell Gray for a hit or start DCL?

  28. Aimar
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Joao pedro over dennis ?

    Thoughts ?

  29. FC Hakkebøf
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Play Alonso or Tomiyasu?

  30. AnfieldLad
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    A) Ronaldo -> King (own Dennis)

    B) Ronaldo Mount/ Martinelli -> King KDB (-4)

    C) Save