The final round of Premier League fixtures before the November international break will take place this weekend. A number of clubs are fielding injury concerns, meaning FPL managers will need to pick their teams wisely ahead of tomorrow’s 1.30pm deadline.
Express Sport provides a helping hand with a list of players who might not be available for Gameweek 11…
Cole Palmer
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has admitted that Cole Palmer is a doubt for Sunday’s blockbuster meeting with Arsenal. The 22-year-old was caught by a heavy challenge from Lisandro Martinez during last weekend’s draw with Manchester United.
The Blues will need to make a late call on Palmer’s fitness, with Maresca saying this week: “We need to wait, we need to see, then we’ll decide. Yes [it is a risk]. He didn’t train the last few days, the tackle was not a normal one. Hopefully he can be back.”
Kai Havertz
Kai Havertz was left bloodied after a clash of heads during Arsenal’s defeat to Inter Milan on Wednesday night. He was replaced by Martin Odegaard in the closing stages of the match and it remains to be seen if he will be fit to face Chelsea.
The 25-year-old will be a big loss for Arsenal if he is ruled out of the fixture, having scored seven goals in 15 games across all competitions this season.
Mikel Arteta gave an optimistic update after the final whistle against Inter, saying: “He had a big cut and hopefully he will be OK for the weekend.”
Cristian Romero
Tottenham could be without Cristian Romero against Ipswich after he suffered a knock in last weekend’s victory over Aston Villa. According to TyC Sports, the defender sustained a toe ligament injury which could keep him out for up to 10 days.
Ange Postecoglou kept his cards close to his chest when quizzed on Romero’s fitness after the game against Villa. He said: “He felt his foot was sore. I don’t have any sort of further information.
“Obviously, he’s a pretty tough cookie. For him to come off it must be sore. But yeah, look, it’s not ideal.”
Eberechi Eze
Eberechi Eze will remain sidelined for Crystal Palace when they face Fulham on Saturday afternoon. The winger is expected to be out until after the international break with a hamstring injury, meaning the Fulham game will be too early for him.
At the start of this month, Palace boss Oliver Glasner said: “It will be very ambitious to have him back after the international break, but I know we have a great medical department and he will work quite hard, so let’s see.”
Micky van de Ven
Micky van de Ven limped off the pitch in tears after feeling a twinge in his hamstring during Tottenham’s recent win over Manchester City. The injury did not turn out as badly as initially feared but it seems unlikely that he will be fit to face Ipswich.
The Dutchman could return to action later this month, though, with Postecoglou explaining before the Villa game: “He has strained a hamstring. It is not too serious, but probably after the international break for him.”
John Stones
John Stones missed Manchester City’s midweek defeat to Sporting with a plantar fasciitis injury. It remains to be seen if he will be passed fit to face Brighton this weekend or if the reigning Premier League champions will be forced to cope without him.
Pep Guardiola was unable to shed any light on the situation last weekend, saying: “John has a fasciitis splinter in the feet and today he was not ready. I don’t know if he’ll be back for the next two games.”
