Injuries and Suspensions

Premier League team news - ESPN Soccernet

There are plenty of notes in this injury review but here are the big ones...


[UPDATE - Gabby out of the Villa match with a chest infection (hat tip @FFScout)

• Cesc is still a major uncertainty.  My guess is "no" but regardless, he seems like a poor fantasy investment for this weekend.
• VDV still out.  Not quite ready to return so Modric will be the primary creative force in the middle of the park for Spurs against Chelsea.
• Lamps still out.  This thing just continues to drag on and it will continue to do so although you never got the sense that Lamps would be thrown back in for a big match against Spurs.  Unfortunately, Essien hasn't continued his early solid fantasy performances in the absence of Big Frank.
• Tevez and Kolarov suspended - Just a reminder that these two (accumulation and RC respectively) are suspended for the WHU match.  Kolo should be back with K2 also theoretically healthy enough to participate if everyone didn't hate him.
  
• Odem/Brunt doubtful - Both are doubts and there doesn't seem to be any additional data to help you make a decision.  Per Jeremy's post earlier in the week, seems likely Brunt will continue to play through his problems but Odemwingie's is a new issue and makes his situation that much more uncertain.
• ManYoo Healthy - The ManYoo players who were reported as potentially injured after the Champions League match - most importantly Rio Ferdinand - seem to have all been passed fit.
  
• Villa Suspensions - Clark out for accumulation while AY is back from his suspension. 
  
• Saha ruins everyone's value - Saha is a doubt for Everton but no word on him definitely being out and if he is out, who between Beckford and Yakubu will replace him.  You're a stronger person than I am if you buy any of the three.  Heitinga and Pienaar are also uncertain.
  
• Gordon and Gyan questions - Neither are certain meaning that you definitely don't want to invest in either since Sunderland were already a bit of a question on the road.
• Nolan yes, Barton maybe - Anyone who saw NUFC last weekend will realize that they need some attacking motivation and will get at least some with Nolan back.  What they really need is Barton to feed Carroll and draw defensive attention out wider and Joey is still not a sure thing to return.
• Gerrard and Agger - Neither absence is surprising but just worth a reminder that they're out.
• Pennant back - The hamstring seems to be sound again so he should be a strong option at what is a pretty reasonable price.
• Holden unsure - Bolton are "hopeful" but that doesn't seem like the sort of certainty you'd like to see if you're investing that much.

That's about it for team news.  Sadly, not much has been clarified from earlier in the week so remember to go with safety over a big name (or even a bargain) who might only have a 50% chance of playing.  We hope to see you tomorrow on our Live Chat.