Which Premier League players are injured or doubtful? See today’s injury updates, expected return dates and FPL advice before the next fixtures.
Following the first group of Gameweek 3 fixtures, several clubs are managing important absences ahead of the next FPL deadline. This page focuses on injuries that could affect starting line-ups, clean-sheet potential and Fantasy transfer decisions.
Latest update – 6 September 2026: Nico O’Reilly injured his back during Manchester City’s warm-up against Coventry, while Savinho has been removed from the injury list after starting for Tottenham. The Arsenal and Chelsea updates below were published before their meeting on Sunday.
Last updated: 6 September 2026.
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Latest Premier League Injuries and FPL Advice
| Player | Club | Status | Expected return | FPL decision |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| William Saliba | Arsenal | ❌ Out: back | Approximately mid-October | Sell |
| Cristhian Mosquera | Arsenal | 🟡 Doubt: discomfort | Late fitness test | Avoid buying |
| Bruno Guimarães | Arsenal | 🟡 Doubt: knock | Late fitness test | Wait for team news |
| Jurrien Timber | Arsenal | 🟡 Doubt: building fitness | Late decision | Hold, but expect minutes risk |
| Moises Caicedo | Chelsea | 🟡 Doubt: discomfort | Late fitness test | Avoid as an FPL pick |
| Kaoru Mitoma | Brighton | ❌ Out: thigh | After international break | Sell or bench |
| Mats Wieffer | Brighton | ❌ Out: knee | After international break | Avoid buying |
| Jean-Philippe Mateta | Crystal Palace | ❌ Out: hamstring | No firm date | Sell or bench |
| Ismaïla Sarr | Crystal Palace | ❌ Out | No firm date | Wait for an update |
| Joe Gomez | Liverpool | ❌ Out: muscle | Expected back in team training soon | Avoid buying |
| Federico Chiesa | Liverpool | ❌ Out | Team training later in September | Sell or bench |
| Giovanni Leoni | Liverpool | ❌ Out: ACL | Team training during the break | Not an option yet |
| Conor Bradley | Liverpool | ❌ Out: knee | No date confirmed | Sell |
| Hugo Ekitike | Liverpool | ❌ Out: Achilles | No date confirmed | Sell |
| Joe Rodon | Leeds United | ❌ Out: hamstring | Eight to ten weeks | Sell |
| Carlos Baleba | Manchester United | ❌ Out: ankle | Later in September | Monitor only |
| Amad Diallo | Manchester United | ❌ Out: muscle | No firm date | Sell or bench |
| Matthijs de Ligt | Manchester United | ❌ Rebuilding fitness | Possibly late October | Wait before buying |
| Manuel Ugarte | Manchester United | ❌ Out: knee | Long-term absence | Sell |
| Jeremy Doku | Manchester City | ❌ Out: calf | Possibly 13 September | Sell or bench |
| Nico O’Reilly | Manchester City | 🟡 Doubt: back | Being assessed | Wait for an update |
Return dates remain estimates and may change following medical assessments, training sessions or pre-match press conferences. The Premier League also maintains a regularly updated club-by-club injury tracker.
Arsenal Injuries Before Chelsea
William Saliba remains Arsenal’s clearest FPL sell. His back problem is expected to keep him out beyond the immediate schedule, making it difficult to justify occupying a valuable defensive position with him.
Cristhian Mosquera was substituted against Aston Villa after feeling discomfort, while Bruno Guimarães was also being assessed after taking a knock. Mikel Arteta indicated that final decisions would be made after Arsenal’s last training session.
Jurrien Timber has spent several weeks progressing on the training pitch, but a return to full training does not guarantee an immediate start. Owners can hold if they have a strong substitute, although buying him before his role becomes clear would be unnecessarily risky.
Despite the defensive absences, David Raya remains a reasonable long-term hold. Arsenal have continued to protect their goal well as a team, although Saliba’s absence slightly reduces their clean-sheet ceiling. Arteta discussed the three defenders in Arsenal’s official team news update.
Is Moises Caicedo Available for Chelsea?
Moises Caicedo returned against Brighton after missing Chelsea’s first two league matches, but lasted only 13 minutes before asking to come off. Xabi Alonso explained that the midfielder acted cautiously after feeling discomfort and would need to be assessed again.
Caicedo is not normally a major FPL target because much of his value comes from defensive work. However, his possible absence matters to owners of Cole Palmer and Chelsea defenders because it could affect the team’s balance and ball recovery in midfield.
It is not sufficient reason to sell Palmer, but it makes Chelsea defensive assets less convincing against strong opposition. Chelsea published Alonso’s comments in its official Caicedo update.
Brighton Injury News: Mitoma and Wieffer Remain Out
Kaoru Mitoma and Mats Wieffer missed Brighton’s draw with Leeds. Fabian Hürzeler said both players were expected to return after the international break, although neither was given a guaranteed comeback date.
Mitoma’s absence is the more important FPL issue because of his attacking potential. Owners with sufficient bench cover can wait for another update, but managers who need an immediate starter should consider selling.
Wieffer’s absence affects Brighton’s midfield structure more than most Fantasy teams directly. The club confirmed both timelines in its official team news.
Crystal Palace Without Mateta and Sarr
Crystal Palace defeated Fulham 3-2 without Jean-Philippe Mateta or Ismaïla Sarr. Mateta has been dealing with a hamstring problem and was expected to require several weeks of recovery, while Sarr also needs more time before returning.
Mateta owners should consider selling unless they have an unusually strong bench. Eddie Nketiah could receive more opportunities in his absence, but managers should assess Palace’s attacking structure before transferring him in.
Palace manager Pierre Sage discussed both absentees in the club’s official injury update.
Liverpool Recovery Timelines After Ipswich
Joe Gomez is expected to resume team training shortly, while Federico Chiesa is targeting a return to training later in September. Giovanni Leoni could rejoin group sessions during the September and October international break.
None should be purchased until they are available for selection and their roles become clearer.
Conor Bradley and Hugo Ekitike remain longer-term absentees without confirmed return dates. Ekitike owners should sell rather than leave an unavailable forward on the bench indefinitely.
The injuries reduce Liverpool’s depth, but Virgil van Dijk remains one of their safest options for minutes. Bradley Barcola could become an FPL prospect following his arrival, although managers should first see how he fits into Andoni Iraola’s starting XI. Liverpool lists the latest recovery information on its official injury page.
Joe Rodon Injury Weakens the Leeds Defence
Joe Rodon is expected to miss eight to ten weeks after suffering a hamstring injury against Brentford. He remained absent as Leeds drew 1-1 with Brighton, confirming that this is not a problem owners can simply bench for one Gameweek.
His absence also reduces the clean-sheet appeal of other Leeds defenders. Managers do not necessarily need to sell a fit budget option immediately, but buying into the defence is less attractive until Daniel Farke establishes a settled replacement partnership. The recovery timeframe was reported by Reuters.
Manchester United Injury Update
Amad Diallo remains unavailable with what Michael Carrick described as a slight problem. He should be sold if a fit midfielder with secure minutes is available.
New signing Carlos Baleba is recovering from an ankle injury and is expected to return later in September. He is worth monitoring rather than buying immediately.
Matthijs de Ligt has returned to parts of training but is still rebuilding his fitness following a lengthy absence. Manuel Ugarte is facing a much longer spell out with a serious knee injury. Manchester United included the latest availability information in its official Everton team news.
Manchester City: Doku Out and O’Reilly Being Assessed
Jeremy Doku missed Manchester City’s 1-0 victory over Coventry because of a calf injury. The Manchester derby on 13 September has been suggested as a possible return date, but owners should wait for confirmation from Enzo Maresca.
Nico O’Reilly was originally named in the starting XI against Coventry but injured his back during the warm-up. Deadline-day signing Enzo Fernández replaced him and made an immediate impact on his City debut.
The severity of O’Reilly’s problem has not yet been confirmed. FPL managers should therefore avoid transferring him out solely on the basis of the initial incident, particularly if they have adequate bench cover. The late change was confirmed in the Premier League’s Gameweek 3 Saturday review.
FPL Injury Status Guide
- ❌ Out: Sell if the absence is expected to last several Gameweeks and the player occupies an important position in your squad.
- 🟡 Doubt: Wait for the manager’s press conference or official team news before making a transfer.
- 🟢 Back in training: A return to training does not guarantee a start or 90 minutes.
FPL managers should avoid making early transfers where possible. Press conferences and training updates often provide decisive information about doubtful players, while an unnecessary early move can leave a squad exposed to another injury later in the week.
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