Dilemmas of the Week - Gameweek 7 (25/26)

It looks as though - touch wood - nobody (except Liverpool) suffered too badly in this week's European games, so there is fairly little new news on the injury front this week.

I'm trying to streamline these weekly round-ups a bit from last year, restricting myself for the most part to just the injuries etc. affecting players that are likely to have a major significance in FPL; and also, of course, only to new injuries - I figure everyone should be aware of players who've already been ruled out for some time!  

[For some years, I have found the 'Injuries & Bans' summary on Fantasy Football Scout the most reliable resource for this kind of information; although this site, Premier League Injuries, is a very good alternative (often a little quicker to update, I think - though it did go through a bit of a glitchy period for a while last year).  Go check these out for more comprehensive coverage. 

I see the Fantasy Premier League site has added an improved 'Player Availability' page this year (though hidden under 'The Scout' tab?!). That also seems to be reasonably comprehensive and up-to-date, but god knows how it's supposed to be 'organised' - maybe by 'date of injury'? Obviously, arranging it by club and alphabetical order would be more sensible; but the denizens of FPL Towers seem to have a deep aversion to the sensible.]

So, what are the conundrums we face ahead of Gameweek 7 of the season?

Does anybody need to be moved out because of injury?

Tyrone Mings came off with an ankle injury last weekend and is likely to be out for at least a few weeks. Emi Martinez has also reportedly suffered a muscle injury this week. More woe for Villa!

Kaoru Mitoma is reportedly struggling with a knock of some kind - although that might be one of those 'tactical' phantom injuries to get him excused from international duty with Japan next week. Joel Veltman is going to be out for a couple of weeks with a calf strain.

Chelsea midfield stopper Andrey Santos has picked up a knock; although Romeo Lavia may be ready to step in alongside Caicedo as a second pivot again. (Or, indeed, they sometimes play Reece James effectively in that role - making room for Malo Gusto to come in at right-back.)

Raul Jimenez is a doubt after having to come off against Villa last week with a hip problem. Since his alternate Rodrigo Muniz has a hamstring strain which may keep him sidelined for some weeks, that's looking like quite a challenge for Fulham. Maybe they'll play Harry Wilson or Alex Iwobi as a 'false 9'? Full-back Kenny Tete suffered a knee injury in training just before last week's game: not too serious, but going to keep him out until after the forthcoming international break at least. This might provide room for Antonee Robinson, rehabilitated after his knee surgery at the end of last season, with Castagne or Sessegnon switching to the right side.

The big news of the week is that Alisson and Hugo Ekitike both had to come off with muscle injuries in Tuesday night's Champions League game at Galatasary. Ekitike maintained his problem was "only cramp", but Alisson looks set to miss at least a few weeks - giving an opportunity to new back-up Giorgi Mamardashvili.

Tino Livramento's knee injury is not as bad as first feared when he had to be stretchered off against Arsenal last week after landing awkwardly, but he is expected to be out for around 2 months. Kieran Trippier will presumably deputise (until he gets injured again....).

Murillo came off after an hour in Forest's European game last night (having only just returned from a two-week absence), and looks likely to have to make way for Morato again this weekend against Newcastle.

Dominic Solanke has just had surgery on his troublesome ankle, and so is now likely to be missing for another couple of months or so at least. Wolves's Matt Doherty has apparently also just had a surgery on a wrist problem, so will be out for a few weeks at least.

Do we have any players who are dropped, or not looking likely to get the starts we hoped for?

Trevoh Chalobah serves a one-match ban for getting sent off for a 'denial of a goalscoring opportunity' offence last week.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is also suspended for this week, having - remarkably - picked up 5 yellow cards already.

And Tomas Soucek is serving the last game of his three-match ban for 'serious foul play' against Spurs.

Did anyone give other cause to consider dropping them?

It's really becoming difficult to keep the faith with any Manchester United players - even Bryan Mbeumo or Bruno Fernandes - when Ruben Amorim is in such a painful death-spiral. I'm hoping a home defeat to Sunderland this weekend will prompt his immediate sacking, so that a recovery of sorts can begin at Old Trafford.

Did anyone play so well, you have to consider bringing them in immediately?

Ismaila Sarr and Jean-Philippe Mateta - and, of course, the whole of the Palace defence - are starting to look promising again. But no-one really stood out last week, in a mostly very drab round of games.

BEST OF LUCK, EVERYONE!