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

    Start Bowen or DCL? I'm hoping DCL will come good under the new manager and has a better fixture but Bowen is in much better form.

    1. I am 42
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      I'm selling DCL for Dennis

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

      Most definitely Bowen

    3. mr_vega
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Bowel all day

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

    *REPOST*
    KDB or Bruno?

    I have Foden and Salah already!

    1. mr_vega
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      KDB

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

    Captain KDB, Cancelo or Dennis?

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

      I have the 3 and going Dennis.

    2. swanseag55
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      I’ve changed my mind a lot. It was on KDB but now moved to Dennis. Can see KDB getting say 8-11 points. Isn’t it worth gambling on a DGW as Watford have to start winning. Probably will do the wrong choice

  4. Junglist95
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Gtg?

    DDG
    Cancelo Alonso TAA
    Madd Bowen Bruno Jota
    Antonio King Dennis(c)

    Steer Gallagher Keane Lamptey

    5.5m itb 0ft

  5. Heiro
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Ronaldo news doesn't look very positive tbh.

    Worth ditching for King and doubling up Watford?
    Or maybe Watkins

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

      Think im going Watkins

  6. NachoMan
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Utterly boring last question;
    Start;
    A) Emerson Royal
    B) Gray

    Warned you.

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

      b

    2. Elfozzie 42
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      B

  7. marcos11
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    DDG
    TAA Cancelo White
    Jota Mount Lucas Bowen
    Ronaldo Watkins King
    3.9 Coufal Dalot Gilmour

    Mount > KDB for free and GTG?

    1. Fit_to_drop
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Yes

    2. Shearer & Sutton
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Yes

  8. Winners900
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Is Salah back next gmw?

  9. v3n0m
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    1) Antonio + D.Luiz -> King + KDB (Bench Ronaldo) -4
    2) Ronaldo -> King
    3) Antonio -> King
    4) Save FT

    Have Foden & Dennis (c)

  10. PScholes18
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Lamptey, Gray and Ronaldo to Digne, KdB and Dennis for minus 8?
    Wanted Watkins, but no DGW.
    Will give me this team:
    DDG
    Digne - TAA - Dias
    Bruno - KdB - Jota - Bowen
    King - Dennis - Antonio
    Steele, Gallagher, Coufal, Manquillo

    Next week, get Salah back in.

  11. Bubbles1985
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Opinions please for -4...
    KDB and

    Laca
    Watkins
    Other max 9.2m

    Already have Antonio and Dennis

    1. Elfozzie 42
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Watkins

    2. Shearer & Sutton
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      King or Watkins

  12. rozzo
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    On wildcard

    Ramsdale Sa
    TAA Cancelo Laporte Tomiyasu Ait Nouri
    KDB Bruno Jota Bowen Raphina
    Antonio Dennis Broja

    0.9 itb for Bruno to Salah

    Any improvements?

    Cheers

    1. denial
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      I'd have Watkins over Antonio on a WC

      1. Kun Tozser
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Given West Ham's next 3?

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

      Still have first FH?

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

        Yeah

        1. Kabayan
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 2 months ago

          Nice team, good luck

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

    1 FT
    Best move, mates?
    Antonio to Dennis(C) and bench Keane?

    Fab
    TAA Rudiger Keane Cancelo
    Mount Bernardo Gray Bowen Saka
    Ronaldo*

    Steer Antonio, Livra, Scarlett

  14. Bobby_Baggio
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Afternoon guys. Some advice on what to do please? 4m ITB+ 1FT. Thanks.

    Foster
    Reguilon - Cancelo - TAA
    Maddison - Bruno - Jota - Mount - Bowen
    King (C) - Antonio

    (DDG) - Broja - Lamptey - Livramento

    A) Mount > Foden
    B) Mount > KDB
    C) Antonio + Mount > Dennis + KDB (-4)
    D) Broja + Mount > Dennis + Foden (-4)

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

    Have King already.
    Ronaldo > Dennis given the knock?

    Bench isn't that strong this week & plan to go 5 in midfield after this week, so funds useful.

    1. Free Hat
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Im doing that move, instead of antonio.
      Antonio dissappoints me as well, but for 5mill less...

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

    Anyone captaining taa?

    1. Fit_to_drop
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      No, KDB or Dennis here

    2. MikeS
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Oh.. just seen Watford double

      1. Fit_to_drop
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Seriously? Ha.

        1. MikeS
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 2 months ago

          Yer been manic at work! Only just checked my team!

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

      i was until watford dgw

  17. Fit_to_drop
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Already own Dennis

    King
    or
    Daka

    on Wildcard

  18. Aeu96197
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Ronaldo and Trossard to King and KDB?

    Have Dennis

    1. Aeu96197
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Be -4

    2. Fit_to_drop
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      I would. Can always move King on next week

    3. denial
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Watkins instead of King?

      1. Aeu96197
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Could do Watkins instead of King, but it's then more difficult to get back to Salah

    4. Fit_to_drop
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Not as sure for -4...

      1. Aeu96197
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah, thanks. Real FOMO on KDB, but I actually think I'll leave it - good fixtures moving forward, but suspect he'll have his minutes managed after the break due to Europe

  19. denial
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Dull - who to play:

    1. Keane
    2. Emerson
    3. Dawson

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

      2,1,3 in that order

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

    Cr7 gray to Dennis and foden -4? Already have king.

    1. Aeu96197
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Yes. But I'd go KDB rather than Foden if you can afford it

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

        No I can't. 0.2m short

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

    Gtg?

    Kasper
    Laporte TAA Cancelo
    KDB(C) Odegaard Jota Maddison
    Pukki Dennis CR7

    S: White Hojberg Tsimikas

  22. Dammit_182
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Afternoon all - need some help With my 3rd Defender pick please:

    A) cash
    B) Cucurella
    C) Reguilon
    D) Robbo (-4)

    Thanks

    1. GOTHAM City F.C.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      C or Digne?

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

        Thanks. I own cash so not keen on the double up/sideways move but sounds like you think Villa get some luck away at Everton?

  23. Stamford B
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    What’s the chances of Gelhardt starting?

  24. Junks
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    *REPOST* sorry messed the first post up!
    KDB or Bruno?

    I have Foden and Cancelo already!

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

      kdb

  25. jonnybhoy
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Been working all day so not got a clue whats been happening... what to do here?

    Right to bench Gray? 1.1ITB + 1FT

    Ramsdale
    Rudiger Trent Cancelo
    Bowen Jota Bruno Martinelli
    Dennis Ronaldo Watkins

    Sanchez Gray Johnson Livra

    A) Livra to Digne and bench Rudiger
    B) Rudiger to Laporte (no defence on bench)
    C) Livra, Johnson + Rudiger to Laporte, Digne + A.Nouri -8pts and BB
    D) Save FT
    E) Something else

  26. kysersosa
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Play 2

    A) Antonio
    B) Bowen
    C) Gray

    Play 1

    1) Keane
    2) Reguilon

    TIa

    1. jason_ni
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      B,C

      2 and hope for attacking return.

  27. jason_ni
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Thoughts?

    A) Start Bowen (mun)
    B) Dennis (for -4 and bench Bowen)

  28. antis0cial
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    With Ronaldo news, Ronaldo Mount to King KDB (-4)?

    1. Shearer & Sutton
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Yes

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

    Bottomed on previous page:

    Don't want to take a hit this week, which transfer is more of a priority?

    1. Rudiger > Digne
    2. Ronaldo > Watkins

    1. jason_ni
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      If CR7 doubt wasnt there, would say 1, but there is the doubt!

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

    Ronaldo to king?

    1. MikeS
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      For a hit

      1. bench boost for every gamew…
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Depends on first sub

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

      yes