Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers have their penultimate weekend of action to look forward to before the season comes to an end next weekend. And there could be some key transfer decisions to make, with mini-league honours at stake.
The FPL deadline ahead of GW37 is 6pm tonight (Friday), with Aston Villa taking on Tottenham at 7.30pm before Chelsea host Manchester United later in the evening. Managers will be desperate to have a fully fit starting XI as they attempt to bag a hatful of points. And Express Sport provides an update on the latest injury news around a number of key players.
Declan Rice
Declan Rice has been a star player for Arsenal this season but was forced to miss his side’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool last weekend. Gunners boss Mikel Arteta revealed the midfielder “couldn’t even train” in the build-up to the match at Anfield. The Spaniard then pointed to his hip and explained: “I think he is struggling. It does not look good.”
Rice did, however, return to training this week ahead of Arsenal’s clash with Newcastle at the Emirates Stadium and could feature in the capital.
Sven Botman
Sven Botman has endured a difficult season due to knee issues and made his first start for three months during Newcastle’s 2-0 victory over Chelsea last Sunday. But the defender was forced off with another knee injury 10 minutes into the second half.
He was sent for a scan this week, with the results revealing no serious injury. He is a major doubt for Newcastle’s trip to Arsenal, although the defender is said to be hopeful of returning to action before the end of the campaign.
Kieran Trippier
Botman’s Newcastle team-mate Kieran Trippier was absent against Chelsea due to a calf issue, with Magpies boss Eddie Howe confirming he doesn’t know when the right-back will return.
“We would love to get [Trippier] back quick and able to play a part,” said Howe. “I have no idea at this moment in time, I don’t know if that is possible.”
Jake O’Brien
Jake O’Brien has been a key figure for Everton since David Moyes returned to the club in January but missed his side’s 3-1 win at Fulham last time out with a knee injury.
And the Toffees will be waiting with bated breath to see whether he is able to return for their clash with Southampton on Sunday, with Everton boss David Moyes explaining last weekend: “I don’t think it’s that bad. He rocked his knee a little bit. We only found out about it on Friday, so it was a late call. We’ll see how it goes through the week.”
Taiwo Awoniyi
Taiwo Awoniyi won’t feature for Nottingham Forest when they take on West Ham on Sunday after being placed in an induced coma at the start of the week.
The striker suffered a ruptured intestine after colliding with the post during his side’s 2-2 draw with Leicester last weekend, an incident which led to Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis entering the pitch at full-time for a heated discussion with boss Nuno Espirito Santo. Awoniyi had surgery on the issue at the start of the week and is currently recovering.