FPL managers will be desperate to pick up plenty of points this weekend, with the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool benefitting from favourable fixtures. But players of the game will be sweating on the fitness of some of their favourite assets.
Chelsea host Sunderland at 3pm on Saturday before Manchester United welcome Brighton to Old Trafford at 5.30pm. And the day’s action will conclude with Liverpool’s trip to Brentford. On Sunday, Arsenal will be in action against Crystal Palace at 2pm, with Manchester City facing Aston Villa at the same time. Tottenham will also be in action at Everton. And Express Sport brings you the injury news ahead of the latest game week.
Cole Palmer
Cole Palmer has struggled with a groin injury this season and was forced off the pitch in the first half when Chelsea lost to Manchester United a month ago.
He hasn’t featured since that match and wasn’t part of the England squad during the international break.
And last weekend, Blues boss Enzo Maresca revealed that the attacker still doesn’t require surgery but may be out of action until late November.
“We try just to protect Cole as much as we can and the most important thing is that,” explained the Italian. “We hope that six weeks, they are enough, but it’s a problem that we need to see step by step, week after week – but for sure he’s going to be okay.”
Enzo Fernandez
Enzo Fernandez returned to Stamford Bridge with inflammation of the knee after playing for Argentina in a friendly against Venezuela earlier this month.
The attacking midfielder missed his team’s 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest last weekend but was back in action on Wednesday night as the Blues thrashed Ajax 5-1 in the Champions League.
He played the opening 45 minutes of that match and will be fit at the weekend as long as he didn’t suffer any ill-effects following his return.
Joachim Andersen
Joachim Andersen was forced off during Fulham’s defeat to Arsenal last weekend. And manager Marco Silva will be sweating on the defender’s fitness ahead of his side’s trip to Newcastle on Saturday after confirming: “Joachim has a hamstring injury.
“He felt something. Now it’s just for us a matter of time to know if it’s something more serious or a minor injury.
“That is really what will come in the next few hours, days after the exams. Because with a muscle injury, it’s just to realise how serious it can be.”
Noni Madueke
Arsenal winger Noni Madueke began the season in fine form following his arrival from Chelsea in the summer.
But he hasn’t featured since the Gunners’ draw with Manchester City in mid-September. Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said at the time: “Yes, it looks like he’s going to be out for a few weeks. He felt something at the beginning of the match, he tried to carry on and, at half time, he was too sore. So let’s see.”
Madueke hasn’t been named in Arsenal’s last six matchday squads, and there has been no indication that he is due to return this weekend.
Alexander Isak
Alexander Isak has made a slow start to life at Liverpool following his blockbuster transfer from Newcastle and was taken off at the interval when his team travelled to Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday.
And Reds boss Arne Slot explained after the match: ““He had to go off at half time because he felt his groin a little bit. So that’s a pity.
“I am hoping that this does not have to be that bad. If he would be out for a few weeks, that would throw him back, so let’s wait.”