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. Gooner97
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    DDG (Bach)
    Royal Cancelo TAA (Livra*, Amartey*)
    Foden Jota Bowen Maddi (BSilva)
    Dennis Watkins King

    0FT, £7.7ITB

    Would you take a hit for:

    A) Livra to Nouri
    B) BSilva to Raphina

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

      Neither is worth a hit, G2G

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

      A as livra out anyway
      Or amartey, have a better squad in case of any unexpected news !

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

    Bilva to raph for a hit ?

    1. Return of the FF
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Is Bilva not set to play?

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

        Should be, got 3 city, want another city def alongside cancelo

  3. Dušan Citizen
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    2 and a half questions from me

    1. Are we sure that Foster is 1st choice and that Bachmann won't get a odd start?
    2. How likely it is that Leeds-Newcastle will be postponed because Leeds barely have 13 senior players?

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

    Someone just posted above about Dennis Covid and rumours..

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Stop

    2. Oles Brummser
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Link?

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

      Lol

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

      Would sum this season up to be honest

  5. Mooster©️
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Antonio to
    A Dennis
    B Pedro

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

      Really tempted by B

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

    Everyone captaining Dennis and Kdb?

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      I'm going Foden

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

        Cool.
        Currently on Cancelo myself.
        But may go Foden.

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

    Dennis or King in for Laca?

    1. Mooster©️
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Keep L

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

    Play
    A) Gray
    B) Antonio (have Bowen)
    Tia

    1. Scots Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Play Gray

  9. JUNITED
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Ddg
    Taa Alonso Cancelo White
    KDB Jota BSILVA Bowen
    Kane Dennis/King

    OR

    Ddg
    Taa Alonso Cancelo White
    Jota Bowen RAPHINHA
    Kane RONALDO Dennis/King

    Guys, please help me for this. A or B??

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

      I'd do A but with Raphina instead of Bilva.

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

    Current Team:

    Sanchez
    TAA Cancelo Cucurella Lowton
    Gray ESR Maddison
    Ronaldo* Dennis Antonio

    Bachmann Salah* Brownhill Davies

    Is it worth -4 to sell Salah for KDB? Or Ronaldo for Kane (given his possible injury)? I would hate to end up with 25 mil on the bench.

  11. Pukki Party
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Was Pope out with Covid last two?

  12. King of Kings.
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Final advice needed. Start one:

    A - Reguilon (che)
    B - Lamptey (lei)

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

      b

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

      B

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

      B.

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

    Hi everyone!

    A) Ronaldo, Grey out (-4)
    KDB King in

    B) Broja to King (no hits)

    1. King of Kings.
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      A

  14. Mr. Mystic
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Ronaldo & Gray -> King & KDB for a hit?

    1. King of Kings.
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Yes

    2. JoeSoap
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Yes for me

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

      Yes

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

      why not Dennis?

      1. Mr. Mystic
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Not enough funds. Unless I bring in Bruno instead of KDB?

  15. JoeSoap
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Any worth a hit?

    A. Livra>Laporte
    B. Alonso>Laporte
    C. Luiz>Raphina
    D. Bilva>KDB

    Foster
    Alonso, Cancelo, TAA
    Jota, Bilva, Bowen, Gallagher
    Antonio, Watkins, Dennis
    D Gea, Johnson, Livra, Luiz,

  16. Eat my goal!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Any news on Foden?

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      No news is good news

  17. Reggie Nainggolan
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Play

    A) Ramsdale (Bur H)
    B) Foster (Nor H, Bur A)

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

      Foster

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

      Tempted to say A

    3. Gizzachance
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Same here, but going for the dgw keeper

  18. ameisin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Would you play Alonso or Cash?

  19. smash
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Who scores more...

    Maddison or Antonio

    (One will be first bench) thanks!

  20. Whats the Mata?
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Who scores more?

    A. Antonio + 4 points
    Or
    B. Dennis

    1. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Close. Can’t call

  21. Paqueta Rice
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    The 4.5m is burning a hole in my back pocket. Anything worth a -4 here?

    DDG
    Trent, Cancelo, Lowton
    Kdb, Jota, Bowen, Ramsey
    Dcl, Antonio, Dennis(c)

    Sanchez, Gray, Reguillon, Dawson 0ft 4.5

  22. Simon69
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    I've seen the stats and know that Dennis is a better (c) pick so why am I swaying towards giving King the armband?

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      What stats are you looking at?

      1. Simon69
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        My model for last 5 GWs.

    2. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Penalty duties

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

      Hmm, not sure how you read those numbers

      1. Simon69
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Last 5 GWs.

  23. FantasyHero
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Play Bowen or Watkins?

  24. Wolfman180
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    A) Antonio to Dennis
    B) Gamble and do Antonio to J Pedro (leaves me more funds for next GW and getting Salah back)
    C) Roll transfer and go without any Watford forwards

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      B

  25. Don Rogers FC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Play:-
    a) De Gea
    B) Foster

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

    Would you?

    Antonio -> Kingx2 (have Dennis)

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

      For free, yeah

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

    Anyone triple captaining Dennis?

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

    Warming to Gundogan > KDB (free)

    Tempted by Rudiger > Digne/Ait Nouri too but not for -4?

  29. Atwood
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Show of hands, who is getting both King and Dennis?

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

      \{)/

  30. Subzero (-4)
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Quick question guys. One week punt as my placeholder for salah. Have KDB already and Cancelo. Do I add Sterling or foden? Was thinking Sterling in and captaining but probably should just captain KDB.