Team News
17 September 2025 251 comments
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THIS ROUND-UP HAS BEEN SUPERSEDED BY FRIDAY’S LIVE TEAM NEWS ARTICLE – CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST GAMEWEEK 5 TEAM NEWS

Our weekly early team news summary rounds up all the latest Gameweek 5 injury news ahead of the pre-match press conferences.

ARSENAL

Bukayo Saka looks set to remain out with a hamstring injury, with Mikel Arteta saying earlier this week that the winger has “still quite a lot of things to go through” before he returns.

Kai Havertz (knee) and Gabriel Jesus (knee) are also still sidelined.

Ben White (unspecified) and Martin Odegaard (shoulder) sat out Tuesday’s win over Athletic Club, the latter having suffered a recurrence of his old injury in Gameweek 4. White was said to be “okay” last Friday but hasn’t featured since.

William Saliba (ankle) returned to the matchday squad in midweek.

Viktor Gyokeres, who was bloodied in the San Mames, and Mikel Merino also seem to be okay despite suffering head injuries.

ASTON VILLA

Youri Tielemans picked up a calf injury last weekend and sat out the midweek cup tie with Brentford. Unai Emery thinks he’ll be back in 1-2 weeks.

Ross Barkley (personal), Andres Garcia (unknown) and Amadou Onana (hamstring) all remained out on Tuesday but Boubacar Kamara (hamstring) made a return to action in the clash with the Bees.

Victor Lindelรถf sat out the game in west London with a “small injury”.

BOURNEMOUTH

Bafode Diakite (soreness) and Ryan Christie (knock) both missed the Gameweek 4 win over Brighton and Hove Albion, with Andoni Iraola more confident of the latter’s recovery for the Newcastle United game.

Adam Smith (hamstring) and Enes Unal (knee) remain out.

BRENTFORD

Gustavo Nunes (hamstring) was earmarked to rejoin training this week, while Paris Maghoma (hamstring) is already with the squad.

Tuesday’s cup clash with Aston Villa came too soon for both players.

BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION

Reports suggest Maxim De Cuyper has escaped serious injury despite his collision with the advertising hoardings in Gameweek 4. He remains a doubt for the weekend, however, and wasn’t spotted in the midweek training gallery.

Mats Wieffer (knee), who has missed the last two games, also wasn’t sighted.

Jack Hinshelwood (ankle) is facing a spell on the sidelines with the injury he picked up at Bournemouth, meanwhile.

Adam Webster (knee) and Solly March (knee) remain out, too.

Diego Gomez (illness) could return, having trained this week.

The Brighton boss said last week that young Greek attacker Charalampos Kostoulas is โ€œstill not thereโ€ in terms of Premier League-readiness.

BURNLEY

Lesley Ugochukwu serves a one-match ban after being sent off for two bookable offences in Gameweek 4.

Zeki Amdouni (knee) is still on the sidelines for the Clarets, while Jordan Beyer (hamstring) and Conor Roberts (knee) are unlikely to be ready to return despite stepping up their rehab on the grass.

Jacon Bruun Larsen could be back, however. Scott Parker didn’t risk him against Liverpool because of a knock to his heel.

CHELSEA

Enzo Maresca thinks that Cole Palmer is fine, despite the England international appearing to experience groin discomfort in a 90-minute run-out against Bayern Munich on Wednesday.

“Cole, I think he’s okay. I asked him at the end, he said that he’s okay.” – Enzo Maresca, speaking after full-time on Wednesday

Estevao came off the bench in Germany, having missed last weekend’s game due to illness.

Elsewhere, Levi Colwill (knee), Dario Essugo (thigh) and Liam Delap (hamstring) are out for the medium to long term. Mykhailo Mudryk remains suspended, too.

Benoit Badiashile and Romeo Lavia returned to training over the international break but didn’t feature in Gameweek 4 or in the defeat in Munich.

CRYSTAL PALACE

Ismaila Sarr (muscle), Chadi Riad (knee) and Cheick Doucoure (knee) are still out, with the former aiming for a Gameweek 6 return.

Eddie Nketiah (hamstring) and Adam Wharton (muscle) “maybe have a chance” for this weekend.

EVERTON

We wait to hear from David Moyes on Vitalii Mykolenko (unspecified), who missed the draw with Aston Villa despite being described as “around it” ahead of that game.

Jarrad Branthwaite (hamstring) is expected to remain out.

FULHAM

So far as we’re aware, the Cottagers have no fitness concerns for the clash with Brentford.

LEEDS UNITED

Lucas Perri (quad) is expected to still be sidelined in Gameweek 5.

Daniel James could be out, too, after taking a “hit into his body” in the last-gasp loss to Fulham. He himself had come on as a substitute just 10 minutes earlier.

The fact that Joel Piroe (calf) only had a “big bruise” before missing out in Gameweek 4 suggests he could be in contention to return this week.

LIVERPOOL

Alexander Isak got his first Liverpool minutes in the midweek victory over Atletico Madrid but Arne Slot said after full-time that more managed game-time awaits the Swedish striker in the Merseyside derby.

“A good start, only 60 minutes and now we have to build him up from here. But I can tell you he is not going to play 90 again on Saturday.” – Arne Slot on Alexander Isak

On the injury front, Curtis Jones (unspecified issue) was still “not fit” for Wednesday’s win.

Stefan Bajcetic (hamstring) has been out for months but is back on the grass.

MANCHESTER CITY

Omar Marmoush (knee), Rayan Ait-Nouri (ankle), Mateo Kovacic (Achilles) and Rayan Cherki (thigh) will all miss Thursday’s clash with Napoli. That game comes three days before City take on Arsenal in Gameweek 5.

โ€œKova is coming back soon. The squad is really good, just now we have a problem already with just 16 players, we need them back. Rayan Ait-Nouri, Rayan Cherki, John [Stones] – when everyone is back we can rotate and the people on the bench make a good impact on the game. The fatigue will come soon and we need to make everyone involved.” – Pep Guardiola, speaking on Wednesday

John Stones (muscle) returned to training in midweek ahead of City’s Champions League opener.

MANCHESTER UNITED

Updates are awaited on Matheus Cunha (hamstring), Mason Mount (unknown) and Diogo Dalot (muscle), who all missed the Manchester derby.

The social media suggestions are that Cunha is training lightly but is expected to miss Gameweek 5.

Lisandro Martinez (knee) was pictured back jogging on Wednesday but after so long out, the Chelsea game surely comes too soon for him.

NEWCASTLE UNITED

Eddie Howe confirmed the recovery timeline for Yoane Wissa (knee) in Wednesday’s pre-match press conference.

“Yoane will, we hope, be back after the next international break. So, that’s the plan. Off the top of my head, is it Brighton, I think, the first game? So, that can always change and it’s always flexible, but I think that’s what I’ve been told.” – Eddie Howe

The Magpies will also be without Jacob Ramsey (ankle) until Gameweek 8, too.

Anthony Gordon, available in the Champions League, serves the final match of his domestic suspension on Sunday.

NOTTINGHAM FOREST

Ola Aina (hamstring) is out for around three months, while Nicolas Dominguez (knee) is still sidelined, too.

Loanee Oleksandr Zinchenko is at least available: he couldn’t feature last weekend because Forest were facing his parent club.

Murillo (knock) could be fit, too. While he missed the loss to Swansea City on Wednesday, he was “progressing well” and aiming to be back for Gameweek 5.

SUNDERLAND

Romaine Mundle (hamstring), Dennis Cirkin (wrist) and Leo Hjelde (Achilles) remain out.

Dan Ballard (groin), Aji Alese (shoulder) and Luke Oโ€™Nien (shoulder) could be back for the Aston Villa game, however.

Regis Le Bris was hopeful that the injury that kept Enzo Le Fee out of Gameweek 4 wasn’t too serious.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Dominic Solanke (ankle) wasnโ€™t fit enough to return for Spurs’ match against Villarreal in midweek.

Radu Dragusin (knee), James Maddison (knee) and Dejan Kulusevski (knee) are out longer term, too.

Yves Bissouma (unspecified issue) hasn’t featured since before the September internationals but he is reportedly surplus to requirements anyway. 

WEST HAM UNITED

Tomas Soucek begins a three-match ban following his sending off in Gameweek 4.

The Hammers are, as far as we know, injury-free.

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS

Vitor Pereira said after the defeat to Newcastle United last weekend that he would take it “day by day” with Jorgen Strand Larsen (Achilles). The striker hadn’t trained before Gameweek 4 and missed out.

Ki-Jana Hoever has ongoing knee discomfort, so it remains to be seen if he’s fit.

Jose Sa should be back, at least, as it was only illness that kept him out of the trip to Tyneside.


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251 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Sfowl123
    • 3 Years
    2 days, 12 hours ago

    Who to start in goal:

    Sanchez away at United?
    Dubravka home to Forest?

    1. Drizzle
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      2 days, 12 hours ago

      It's 50/50. Sorry not helpful. I'm going Dubs I think.

    2. WVA
      • 9 Years
      2 days, 10 hours ago

      Sanchez may not start/play

  2. Stimps
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 days, 12 hours ago

    Who to bench?

    A) Richards (whu)
    B) Gudmundson (wol)

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • 9 Years
      2 days, 12 hours ago

      B

  3. Egg Fried Reus 69
    • 8 Years
    2 days, 12 hours ago

    opinions on this wc boys
    raya
    sensei lacroix vdv gabriel
    kudus salah semenyo
    jp haaland evanilson

    dub king rodon devenny

    i know bench is a little weak, was thinking palmer for salah and build a stronger bench?

    1. Mr Turnip 1
        2 days, 12 hours ago

        Palmer for Salah yes. I’d replace Evanilson for Gyokores probably. You could also add a little more to bench, like maybe get one 5.5 midfielder. You could also get a 4.5 defender given you’re playing 4 at the back, and or maybe upgrade VDV

        1. Egg Fried Reus 69
          • 8 Years
          2 days, 12 hours ago

          this sound better?
          raya
          sensei lacroix vdv gabriel
          xavi palmer semenyo
          jp haaland evanilson

          dub reijnders rodon king

          1.5m left in the bank to draft in gyokores in the 2 weeks

    2. Jordan17
        2 days, 12 hours ago

        Bottomed near enough-

        2 FT and 0.7 ITB

        A.) Cunha > Mbeumo
        B.) Cunha and kudus > Palmer & 4.9m mid
        C.) other suggestions (kudus>xavi)

        Thanks

        1. Four Letter Wirtz
          • 9 Years
          2 days, 7 hours ago

          If you have a weak bench, Cunha > Mbeumo makes sense.

          Palmer + 4.9 just creates new problems, and Kudus > Xavi seems a bit sideways, until we've seen more of the new signing.

      • Obi 1 Kenobi 0
          2 days, 12 hours ago

          Does anyone know what’s happening with this potential double gw16?

          1. Miguel Sanchez
            • 9 Years
            2 days, 12 hours ago

            Depends on Palace progress in the league cup but would see Leeds and Palace both double

            1. AC/DC AFC
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              2 days, 12 hours ago

              Palace opponents in the cup could double I think.

              I can't quite remember tbf.

              I think that Leeds and Palace would blank in the league and double in 2026 in that scenario.

          2. RedLightning
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 15 Years
            2 days, 8 hours ago

            Leeds v Palace in Gameweek 17 would have to be rearranged if Palace reach the EFL Cup quarter-finals, but we don't know which week it would be moved to.

        • Miguel Sanchez
          • 9 Years
          2 days, 12 hours ago

          Did Wirtz play on the left yesterday? Did he look any better there?

          1. Not Rico Henry
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 2 Years
            2 days, 11 hours ago

            Did about 20 mins at LW between Gakpo going off and Rio coming in. Wouldn't say it was better there, but in general last night was certainly his best game for us.

        • AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          2 days, 12 hours ago

          Palace’s cup win tonight gets us closer to the potential #FPL blanks and doubles in first half of the season!

          4th round draw next week will reveal their opponents and final hurdle.

          https://x.com/talha_nadeem_90/status/1968062223584202935?t=EG3m_VGW5A_4_4MDKyiPiQ&s=19

          1. Miguel Sanchez
            • 9 Years
            2 days, 11 hours ago

            This smells of Duffy And Dennis DGW captaincy fails from FPL years gone by

            1. AC/DC AFC
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              2 days, 10 hours ago

              Palace league cup oppeonts in the QF if they get there and it's a premier league team could double in Gw16 I think.

              Especially if they are competing in the Champions League I think.

        • Bobby Digital
          • 8 Years
          2 days, 12 hours ago

          Apparently Saka is still far away from being fit. Does this make Madueke an option?

          Trying to decide between Xavi and Madueke.

          1. Holmes
            • 11 Years
            2 days, 11 hours ago

            Madueke lacks end product. Think I would roll with Xavi.

            1. Bobby Digital
              • 8 Years
              2 days, 11 hours ago

              Cheers Holmes

        • FplmorelikeFml
          • 1 Year
          2 days, 11 hours ago

          If you had a defence like mine, would you go 4 at the back and bench reindeer (4-3-3)?

          - Murillo, cucu, vdv (play guehi against WH. Other defender is esteve)
          - Palmer, kudus, wirtz (bench reindeer and KDH)
          - haaland, JP, bowen

          Thanks my friends!!

          1. Holmes
            • 11 Years
            2 days, 11 hours ago

            4 at back, yes

            1. FplmorelikeFml
              • 1 Year
              1 day, 23 hours ago

              Thanks Sherlock!

        • Khalico
          • 10 Years
          2 days, 11 hours ago

          Which one?

          1. Cucu + Kudus
          2. Califiori/Timber + Xavi Simons

          1. Four Letter Wirtz
            • 9 Years
            2 days, 7 hours ago

            Number 2 for me... reason being that Cucu is already being rotated

        • Von Lipwig
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          2 days, 11 hours ago

          A) Gakpo > Palmer
          B) Save FT

          1. Ausman
            • 2 Years
            2 days, 11 hours ago

            Save

        • Stranger Mings
          • 4 Years
          2 days, 11 hours ago

          Start a) diouf CRY b) gudmundsson wol
          Already playing richards
          Thanks

          1. Mother Farke
            • 1 Year
            2 days, 11 hours ago

            Spread the risk with Gudmundsson,

            1. Stranger Mings
              • 4 Years
              2 days, 10 hours ago

              Cheers

          2. Ausman
            • 2 Years
            2 days, 11 hours ago

            B

            1. Stranger Mings
              • 4 Years
              2 days, 10 hours ago

              Thanks

        • Gentle_Turks
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          2 days, 11 hours ago

          Burnley fans -

          what's the story with TUANZEBE? Is he likely to play any minutes, etc. Thanks for any info you have...

          1. Dubem_FC
            • 9 Years
            2 days, 11 hours ago

            If you're a coach that almost held Liverpool scoreless, would you tamper with your backline?

            1. Gentle_Turks
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              2 days, 11 hours ago

              Good point.

        • Pompel
          • 11 Years
          2 days, 11 hours ago

          Any love for Woltemade over Gyokeres ? Seeing most WC drafts have the latter, but Wolt cheaper and just as good fixtures, and allows double Arsenal defense + e,g. Eze

          1. Gentle_Turks
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            2 days, 11 hours ago

            I'm considering Evanilson over Woltemade but open to being persuaded that the German is the better pick.

            Bournemouth's upcoming fixtures better than Newcastle.

            1. Pompel
              • 11 Years
              2 days, 10 hours ago

              Primarily, Semenyo + Senesi is enough Bournemouth

              1. Gentle_Turks
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 7 Years
                2 days, 10 hours ago

                That's something to consider.

        • WVA
          • 9 Years
          2 days, 10 hours ago

          Bench boost?

          Dub King Rodon Reinildo

          1. Haa-lala-land
            • 4 Years
            2 days, 10 hours ago

            I think I'd do that. However, not sure about King, it feels like Silva is about to change something in the set up

            1. Miguel Sanchez
              • 9 Years
              2 days, 10 hours ago

              Yeah serious minutes risk now and we need to talk about Kevin

        • Miguel Sanchez
          • 9 Years
          2 days, 10 hours ago

          Good to go here? Any changes from the bench?

          Sels
          Cucu Gabriel Porro VDV
          Palmer Semenyo(c) Kudus
          Haaland Pedro Wood

          Verbruggen Reijinders KDH Dorgu

          1. Traction Engine Foot
            • 7 Years
            2 days, 10 hours ago

            Good to go

        • Traction Engine Foot
          • 7 Years
          2 days, 10 hours ago

          Would you BB this? It's not great, but kind of want to get it out of the way before wildcarding.

          Dubravka Reijnders Williams Esteve

          1. Miguel Sanchez
            • 9 Years
            2 days, 10 hours ago

            Yeah and hope the games finishes 0-0 at Turf Moor

        • Bexb22587
            2 days, 9 hours ago

            Thoughts on WC team (too many injuries not to WC)

            Vicario (dunravka)
            Guehi, Munoz, Van de Ven, VVD (senesi)
            Salah, Semenyo, Caiceido, Gravenberg (King)
            Haaland, Pedro (Isidor)