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FPL injury update: Solanke, Hwang, Richarlison, Salah, Bruno Fernandes latest for GW27
All the latest Fantasy Premier League injury updates ahead of Gameweek 27.
There are just 12 gameweeks left of the Fantasy Premier League season and those in with a chance of winning their mini-league will be desperate to come out on top in the next few crucial fixtures. Double and blank gameweeks are on the horizon but GW27 needs to be tackled first and Express Sport runs the rule over the fitness of several key stars.
Dominic Solanke
Many FPL managers will have earmarked Dominic Solanke as next week’s captain, with Bournemouth set to face Sheffield United and Luton both at home. However, the striker was left out of the squad for their FA Cup defeat to Leicester as Andoni Iraola raised concerns over a knee issue.
However, he does have a chance of featuring at Burnley on Sunday and is likely to be back for GW28’s double. “The x-ray showed that he didn’t have anything wrong with the bones,” Cherries boss Iraola said. “He obviously has a bruise and pain, but I hope he is at least available. We have to wait until tomorrow to see if we have a chance with Dom or not.”
Bruno Fernandes
Manchester United playmaker Bruno Fernandes was spotted limping out of the City Ground following his side’s FA Cup win over Nottingham Forest in midweek, having been a doubt to play in the game.
But Erik ten Hag has allayed fears that the United captain would miss Sunday’s Manchester derby. "They (Fernandes and Raphael Varane) fought to be part and they came well out of the game so I think they will be available for Sunday as well," he said. "I don’t think players will return so we do it with the squad from yesterday (at Forest)."
Hwang Hee-chan
Hwang Hee-chan had been a popular buy before Wolves’ 1-0 win over Sheffield United last weekend, but he failed to return and then was forced off with a hamstring injury in their FA Cup victory against Brighton.
And Gary O’Neil has confirmed that he will not feature at Newcastle. “Hee-chan won’t make the weekend and there will be more assessments after the weekend,” he said on Friday. “For now, he’s been ruled out, which is disappointing.”
Richarlison
Richarlison had been a popular FPL asset thanks to his recent goalscoring form and Tottenham being one of just eight teams with a fixture in GW29. However, owners are now forced to move him on after Ange Postecoglou confirmed that the Brazilian faces up to a month out with a knee injury.
“He'll be out for while, and it's disappointing,” said the Spurs boss. “Richy has been key contributor but that's how our season has gone, we get one back and lose one.”
Pedro Porro
With the spotlight on Spurs assets, FPL managers had held Pedro Porro despite his injury with one eye on GW29 and a strong fixture at home to Crystal Palace on Saturday. Friday’s press conference brought mixed news for owners as the Spaniard is likely to return for that blank gameweek, but will miss today’s match.
Postecoglou confirmed that Porro is “probably another week away” with Emerson Royal set to deputise again.
Destiny Udogie
One positive for those holding Spurs assets is that Destiny Udogie has a chance of featuring against Crystal Palace. He missed the defeat to Wolves through injury but Postecoglou claimed that he “has a chance” after coming through training this week.
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Mohamed Salah
Liverpool have been walking wounded in recent weeks, with Mohamed Salah headlining their lengthy injury list. He has been out for two months, bar a short cameo against Brentford, and is not expected to return for the trip to Nottingham Forest.
With a top-of-the-table clash with Manchester City looming, Jurgen Klopp appears to be keeping Salah wrapped in cotton wool in the meantime.
“I don't think Mo (Salah) is too far off but he will not be on the pitch tomorrow and from there we have to go,” Klopp said on Friday. “Mo is a bit longer, maybe next week is possible, he is on the way back, definitely. Not for tomorrow."
Darwin Nunez
However, there was a more positive update on Darwin Nunez. Klopp confirmed that he and Dominik Szoboszlai returned to training on Thursday but he would need to “see how they react” before considering them at the City Ground.
Wataru Endo and Andy Robertson did not train on Thursday but still have a chance of featuring, though the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Diogo Jota and Alisson are among those still sidelined.
Thiago Silva
Thiago Silva has been sidelined for three weeks with a groin injury and missed Chelsea’s Carabao Cup final defeat to Liverpool at Wembley, along with their FA Cup win over Leeds.
However, Mauricio Pochettino confirmed that he and Marc Cucurella have returned and could feature in Saturday’s trip to Brentford.
Pau Torres
Plenty of FPL managers are targeting Aston Villa as one of the few sides to play in GW29 and are on a good run of form. Alongside popular assets Ollie Watkins and Douglas Luiz, many want to invest in Unai Emery’s defence and Pau Torres is the preferred option.
Torres was taken off in Villa’s 4-2 win over Forest a week ago with “small pain” in the back of his leg, but Emery confirmed that both he and Ezri Konsa would be in the travelling squad at Luton.