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. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Foster
    Alonso TAA Cancelo
    Maddison Jota Bowen Bilva
    Ronaldo King Antonio

    DDG Gray Dawson Livramento

    1FT, 3.8itb

    Ronaldo >> Dennis ?? Yes or No ?

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

      Yes

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

    Thinking maybe this weird King-Dennis double-up would be worth considering both games are PL survival battle. Maybe there will be energy and goals..

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

      I've already got the both of them (for last weeks 'dgw') might as well go for it.

  3. Sid07
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    1) son to raphina
    2) save and play gray

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

      1

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

      1

  4. Forza Papac
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Between teams getting hacked and Twitter accounts purposely reporting bogus team news, FPL really is the wild west these days.

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

    Folks, first bench?

    C)ash

    G)allagher

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

      C

  6. Ibralicious
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Pick one please:

    A) Mount —> Foden (FT)
    B) Mount + Ronaldo —> KDB + King (-4)

    Cheers

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

      B

  7. Weeb Kakashi
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Bench 1

    A Rashford
    B Gray
    C Alonso

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

      A

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

      A

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

      A

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

    Captain :
    A) King
    B) TAA

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

      A

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

      Kingay

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

      A

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

      A

  9. EmreCan Hustle
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Captain KDB or King? On KDB atm.

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

      If it's tight you have to go for the better player in the better team surely?

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

        Cheers.

    2. james 101
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Dennis for me

      Coin toss between those teo

  10. DRIZ ✅
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Bring in King instead of Dennis?

    1. bring_on _the_fantasy
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Yep - Dennis out apparently

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

        source?

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

    Alonso or Dalot, who to start?

  12. aardvark22
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Bachman to Foster for free?

    1. aardvark22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      or play DDG

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

        Foster for free

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

    Can someone link the Dennis out with Covid sources?

    I'm calling b/s till then.

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      transfer in King now?

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

        Lol what trash.

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

      It's a fake news account

      1. LEEDSLEEDSLEEDS
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Bloke in pub said he’d read in the Sunday sport that Dennis had transferred himself out of his own team. Just sold him for a hit

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

        Why are you so keen to promulgate this, BOTF?

        You have some agenda of your own?

  14. John Colby (Capt)
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Afternoon everyone. So Villa likely to have a DGW in 24?

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

      No dgw in 24

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

      Crellin says no.

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

      Crellin says very unlikely

      1. John Colby (Capt)
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks lads.

  15. Il Capitano
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    1FT 4mITB

    FOSTER
    taa Cancelo White
    Foden Jota Bernardo Bowen
    KING Watkins Antonio

    Guaita - Dawson Livra* Son*

    Bernardo to Raph or Son to Raph and bench 1 from Antonio/Bernardo?

  16. CoracAld2831
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Bachmann
    TAA-Cancelo-Coufal
    Jota-Foden-Fernandes-Bowen-Gray
    Dennis(c)-Ronaldo

    Ramsdale-Broja-B.Williams-Manquillo

    1FT
    0,8m

    Would you do Broja to King or roll a transfer?

    A: Broja -> King
    B: Roll
    C: Other move, what?

    1. 003
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Improve bench, it remains an insecure period

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

    Evening all. Broja > Dennis for -4 and bench ant?

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

    (DDG) - Broja - Lamptey - Livra

    1. 003
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      No

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

    Cr7 to Dennis for free? Already have king. What up with cr7 guys? Has he trained?

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

      Yes

    2. mdm
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      No.
      Not sure.
      Yes.

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

      I did CR7 to Joao Pedro... but in my case it also helps have the cash to get Salah back for next week, so helps with that.

  19. Blens
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Who to Captain guys...
    a) KDB
    b) Dennis (with two fixtures Norwich and Burnley)
    c) Cancelo

    Your vote counts guys - give me a clue as I'm soooo triple-minded

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

      A

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

      B for me.

  20. phoenixfromtheflames
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Bench Coutinho or Antonio?

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Coutinho

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

      Cout

    3. 003
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Cout

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

    BIG IF but if Dennis got COvid he will be back for second DGW game? Although does make me go king captain

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

      No if. Its just a troll.

  22. GE
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    1) Antonio -> King (-4) (have Dennis)
    2) Brownhill -> Foden (-4) (bench Antonio)
    3) Not worth it, play Antonio

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      3

    2. 003
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      3

  23. 003
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Fully realizing it is Pep, but who would you prefer?
    a. Laporte
    b. Dias

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      A

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

      A

  24. FPL Insanity
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    One to Bench - Antonio or Bowen?

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      A

  25. Tasty Jerk
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Bench one, Mount or Antonio?

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

      Mount

  26. The White Pele
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Bilva to KDB worth a hit?

    1. Max City
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Possibly

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

      You captaining Kevin?

      1. The White Pele
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        nah. King

  27. Max City
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    A) Dawson >> Laporte
    B) Moura >> Raphinha
    C) Antonio >> King
    D) Any 2 moves (-4)

    1. The White Pele
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      A if you have to start Dawson

      1. Max City
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        I don't have to start him

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

    Captain?

    A) Cancelo
    B) Foden
    C) Dennis

    1. Max City
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      C

  29. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    What's with Antonio out rumours?

    1. Weeb Kakashi
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Now what's this?

      1. The Red Devil
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        He's just knackered I think

  30. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Bilva to Raphina or kdb if you have Foden?