Injury Tracker: Game Week 23

Gameweek 23’s Injury Watch – where you can get all of the up-to-date injury news, return schedules and our top replacement suggestions and strategies.

Injury Tracker: Game Week 23
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William Saliba (DEF – £6.2m)

Arteta speaking about Saliba on Friday revealed “With Wilo (Saliba) it’s something similar as well. I think he’ll be in for next week but this week, let’s see how it goes.” This would seem to indicate Saliba is very much a game-day decision on whether he will be fit enough for the squad to face Wolves or not. Even if he does make the squad, there is a chance he would only be fit enough for the bench.

Estimated return: Gameweek 24 vs Man City

Buy/Sell/Hold: Sell

Potential replacements: Munoz (£4.8m), Hall (£5.1m) or Van Dijk (£6.4m)

 

Lewis Dunk (DEF – £4.3m)

It seems Dunk re-aggravated the calf injury that kept him out for 5 weeks from October through mid December in the game against Man United in Gameweek 22. While it is not considered something that would keep him out for multiple weeks, he is a doubt for this weekend’s game against Everton.

Estimated return: Gameweek 24 vs Everton

Buy/Sell/Hold: Sell

Potential replacements: N. Williams (£4.4m), Livramento (£4.5m) or Munoz (£4.8m)

 

Levi Colwill (DEF – £4.5m)

Colwill was not fit enough to face Wolves in Gameweek 22 but has a chance to be fit to face Man City on Saturday. Enzo Maresca stated “Probably Levi and Enzo, they can be available. It depends on today’s session.” Evidently it will be a close shave but Maresca’s comments seem to lean toward the positive side of the available outcomes. However, fantasy managers probably want to avoid having Chelsea defenders in their starting lineups against City, and more broadly, having Chelsea Defenders has not really been value for money this season.

Estimated return: Gameweek 23 vs Man City

Buy/Sell/Hold: Sell

Potential replacements: N. Williams (£4.4m), Kerkez (£4.8m) or Munoz (£4.8m)

 

Enzo Fernandez (MID – £4.9m)

The same that can be said of Colwill can be said of Fernandes regarding his availability to face Man City. Enzo spoke about them and their outlook for Saturday simultaneously – “Probably Levi and Enzo, they can be available. It depends on today’s session.” Enzo was on fire and the most valuable Midfield enabler in FPL for one stretch of games, but has cooled off as have Chelsea’s performances overall. Elanga, Amad, Rogers, Sarr, Kluivert and Semenyo are all preferable sub £6.0m Midfielder options.

Estimated return: Gameweek 23 vs Man City

Buy/Sell/Hold: Sell

Potential replacements: Elanga (£5.3m), Rogers (£5.5m) or Semenyo (£5.6m)

 

Diogo Jota (MID – £7.2m)

Arne Slot revealed that Jota has a muscle injury and is set to be out 2-4 weeks. Slot spoke on Gomez and Jota, saying ““Maybe Jota [will be back] a bit earlier than Joe, and both of them are expected to be back with us in weeks, not in months.” On the one hand it’s a positive that Jota will likely be back by mid February, but on the other hand his injury issues are frustrating for Liverpool fans and his fantasy managers alike.

Estimated return: Gameweek 25 vs Wolves

Buy/Sell/Hold: Sell

Potential replacements: Semenyo (£5.6m), Gordon (£7.7m) or Mbeumo (£7.8m)

 

Ruben Dias (DEF – £5.4m)

Pep Guardiola has confirmed Manchester City duo Ruben Dias will miss Saturday’s matchup against Chelsea. Dias reportedly asked to be replaced in the Champions League clash against PSG on Tuesday night.  Guardiola informed the media that “Ruben Dias has an adductor injury…I don’t know how long he’ll be out for.” Seems like this could be a multi week injury and given Dias has had multiple injuries this season, the veteran might be given extra time to recover than you would typically anticipate.

Estimated return: N/A

Buy/Sell/Hold: Sell

Potential replacements: Kerkez (£4.8m), Munoz (£4.8m) or Hall (£5.1m)

 

Jeremy Doku (MID – £6.2m)

Speaking on Doku among others, Guardiola stated “Ruben and Doku are out. The other players out are [still] out.” There is no current timetable for his return.

Estimated return: N/A

Buy/Sell/Hold: Sell

Potential replacements: Elanga (£5.3m), Rogers (£5.5m) or Semenyo (£5.6m)

 

Noussair Mazraoui (DEF – £4.4m)

Mazraoui was left out of the matchday squad as for United’s Europa League tie against Rangers on Thursday, as a precaution, after he sustained a knock in the home defeat to Brighton in Gameweek 22. The hope is the rest midweek will allow Mazraoui to play a part against Fulham in Gameweek 23. However Mazraoui will likely be a gameday decision and with United’s torrid form, there are better options available to fantasy managers.

Estimated return: Gameweek 23 vs Fulham

Buy/Sell/Hold: Sell

Potential replacements: N. Williams (£4.4m), Livramento (£4.5m) or Munoz (£4.8m)

 

Nick Pope (GK – £4.9m)

 

Eddie Howe, speaking on Nick Pope, revealed ‘There’s a chance he’ll be in the squad…He’s started training with the group again and it’s great to see Nick back and his presence, the positivity that he brings… I’ve seen him do some really good things this week, so yeah, delighted to have him back in the mix.” Despite Newcastle having a good defence, making Pope an enticing option, with the way Hall, Gordon and Isak are performing it is hard to argue for having Pope in your FPL team over any of those three.

 

Estimated return: Gameweek 23

Buy/Sell/Hold: Buy

Potential replacements: N/A

 

Jarod Bowen (MID – £7.3m)

Graham Potter informed the media that Bowen is on the cusp of a return from a foot fracture that has kept him out for a number of weeks, but they will handle his return with the appropriate caution. Potter stated “He’s [Bowen] been integrated into the group…He’s had one or two sessions, so we will still need to assess him and how he reacts. It’s still early… I think it’s important that we don’t rush him in and we make sure he’s right.” It does sound like a return for Bowen this weekend, while possible, is unlikely. Look to Gameweek 24 for Bowen to return to West Ham’s starting XI.

Estimated return: Gameweek 24

Buy/Sell/Hold: Buy

Potential replacements: N/A

 

To check out your potential replacement options within your budget, check out our Transfer Wizard here

Click here to check out our Assistant Manager Price reveal guide – with tips on the best Assistant Manager’s to target and when.

 

Written by: Ahsan Ejaz

Last updated: 24/01/24