After a lengthy time away from Fantasy Premier League due to the international break and FA Cup quarter-finals, FPL is back. However, as a result of players being in action elsewhere, several have picked up concerning injuries and may not play in GW30. Here, Express Sport takes a look at those popular stars and their current status…
Chris Wood
Nottingham Forest striker Wood was forced off the pitch on international duty with New Zealand, complaining of pain in his hip.
Initial reports suggested that he had not suffered a long-term injury, but being left out of the FA Cup squad entirely will have caused concern for his many FPL owners.
Nuno Espirito Santo then provided a more worrying assessment, explaining: “Not good. Let’s wait and see. It is going to be day by day we have to assess him.
“It is all about the pain he has. It was a big impact on his hip and it is very painful. We have to assess him. We are gutted that Chris is not here [in Brighton] with us.”
Asked about Wood’s availability for Tuesday’s trip to Manchester United, Santo replied: “I cannot answer that. I don’t know, I’m not sure. It is going to be day by day.”
Cole Palmer
More positive news on the injury front as Palmer looks set to return for Chelsea in their London derby with Tottenham on Thursday.
The England man skipped international duty and Chelsea’s last match, away to Arsenal before the break, as a result of a hamstring injury.
But he was spotted back in training on Friday and presuming there is no setback, has plenty of time to prove his fitness for Spurs’ visit.
Jean-Phillippe Mateta
Mateta was hospitalised in the previous round of the FA Cup but returned for the 3-0 dismantling of Fulham with a protective mask.
He lasted 70 minutes before being replaced by the goalscoring Eddie Nketiah and is well-placed to feature again away to Southampton next.
Bukayo Saka
Saka has not played for Arsenal since December 21 after a hamstring tear but is closing in on a return to action. He may even be named in the squad for Tuesday’s clash with Fulham.
The talismanic winger returned to training last week, with a previous target of playing after the recent international break.
Alisson Becker
Alisson had to be taken off for Brazil after suffering a suspected concussion from a collision with former Tottenham defender Davinson Sanchez.
He withdrew from the squad which then lost 4-1 to Argentina and returned to Liverpool. While the weekend would likely have come too soon if the Reds were still in the FA Cup.
However, an extra few days of recovery may well be enough to be ready in time to face Everton on Wednesday.