06 Dec, 2024

Game Week 15: Injury Watch

Gameweek 15’s Injury Watch – where you can get all of the up-to-date injury news, return schedules and our replacement suggestions and strategy.

Game Week 15: Injury Watch

Gabriel Magalhaes (£6.2m – DEF):

 

Gabriel was forced off against both Sporting and West Ham, dealing with a niggling issue, and subsequently was not in the squad for the game against Man United on Wednesday. Arteta spoke on the injury to Gabriel stating “Sunday is going to be a possibility… We have another training session tomorrow so we will see how everyone is. Until tomorrow’s training session it’s very difficult to say.”

Arteta’s cautious and vague optimism regarding players injuries this season has often been followed by the player in question being fit. It seems like Gabriel not being involved against United was more so rest prevention than anything long-term.

Estimated return: Gameweek 15 vs Fulham

Start, hold or replace: Start

Potential replacements: N/A

 

Ricardo Calafiori (£5.8m – DEF):

 

Arteta spoke on Calafiori and Gabriel simultaneously and it is clear they are in a similar boat regarding their availability for Fulham. Arteta revealed “Sunday is going to be a possibility with Riccardo as well, let’s see how he reacts.” Similarly to Gabriel, it would seem like being left out of the squad midweek was to avoid complicating a niggling issue, and he will be back in the squad Sunday, likely starting at left back.

Estimated return: Gameweek 15 vs Fulham

Start, hold or replace: Start

Potential replacements: N/A

 

Danny Welbeck (£5.9m – FWD):

 

Welbeck is in line to return to squad and likely the starting XI for Sunday’s game against Leicester. Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler informed us that “It is a small issue that he (Welbeck) got after conceding a foul against Southampton… We have to take care of him and hopefully he will be back on Sunday.”

 

Estimated return: Gameweek 15 vs Leicester

Start, hold or replace: Start

Potential replacements: N/A

 

Wesley Fofana (£4.5m – DEF):

 

Enzo Maresca confirmed that Fofana will be out injured for an extended period with a hamstring injury. There is a somewhat unclear timeline, with Maresca stating that the French defender is set to be out “three, four or five weeks”.

Estimated return: Gameweek 20 vs Crystal Palace

Start, hold or replace: Replace

Potential replacements: Kerkez (£4.5m), Robinson (£4.7m) or Gomez (£4.8m)

 

Nathan Ake (£5.3m – DEF):

 

Ake is set to face an extended absence with a hamstring injury. This is his second more serious injury of the season. Guardiola spoke on the injury saying “Nathan it doesn’t look good, we will see tomorrow… I’m sad for Nathan. Manu we’ll see. Maybe not Selhurst Park but Turin. Nathan I think will be longer.” Guardiola is clearly resigned to being without the Dutch defender for the next stretch of games.

Estimated return: Gameweek 21 vs Brentford

Start, hold or replace: Replace

Potential replacements: Gomez (£4.8m), Ait-Nouri (£4.9m) or Timber (£5.5m)

 

Manuel Akanji (£5.4m – DEF):

 

Akanji has not looked fit all season and is dealing with a knock that may make him miss some time. Guardiola revealed “”I’m sad for Nathan. Manu we’ll see. Maybe not Selhurst Park but Turin.” This is essentially Guardiola ruling Akanji out of the Crystal Palace game but he may be back for the Manchester Derby in Gameweek 16.

Estimated return: Gameweek 16 vs Man United

Start, hold or replace: Replace

Potential replacements: Gomez (£4.8m), Ait-Nouri (£4.9m) or Timber (£5.5m)

 

Phil Foden (£9.1m – MID):

 

Foden has been dealing with Bronchitis which is why he was not in the squad for the game against Nottingham Forest on Wednesday. Guardiola kept it short-and-sweet regarding Foden stating “Phil [Foden] had bronchitis so when he has no fever he will be ready.” Fantasy managers should feel safe in the fact that Foden will likely be available to play in Gameweek 15, however he is not performing at the level required for a £9.1m price tag and FPL managers have better options available.

Estimated return: Gameweek 15 vs Crystal Palace

Start, hold or replace: Replace

Potential replacements: Mitoma (£6.5), Odegaard (£8.3m) or Fernandes (£8.5m)

 

Cristian Romero (£5.0m – DEF):

 

Romero has been out injured since mid-November, but the Argentinian centre-back has been stepping up his recovery recently. Ange Postecoglou did not rule revealed “Cuti is due to train, not much today but we’ll see how he goes tomorrow” – seeming to suggest Romero could at least be on the bench for the game against Chelsea, but unlikely to be rushed straight back in to the starting XI.

Estimated return: Gameweek 16 vs Southampton

Start, hold or replace: Replace

Potential replacements: Kerkez (£4.5m), Gomez (£4.8m) or Ait-Nouri (£4.9m)

 

Check out our transfer Wizard here to see who your best replacement options are for your injured players, based on your needs.

 

Written by Ahsan Ejaz – for more click here