Saka, Wood & Kluivert: Latest FPL injury news for Gameweek 32

Another Fantasy Premier League deadline is upon us, and with double gameweeks for Newcastle and Crystal Palace there are plenty of big decisions to make – decisions which are complicated by injuries to players such as Bukayo Saka, Chris Wood, Justin Kluivert and Anthony Gordon.

To make life a little easier, we’ve combed through the media reports and listened in to the managers’ press conferences to get the latest updates on all of the FPL-relevant players who might miss time this weekend and compiled them all for you below.

And if you want some more general hints and tips, such as some ideas as to which Palace players to buy and whether you should triple captain Alexander Isak, you can also catch our resident FPL expert’s latest advice column by clicking right here.

Bukayo Saka

Great news for Arsenal fans and a very large number of Fantasy players who were leaning on Saka for the coming weeks… both he and Declan Rice have been passed fit ahead of the Gunners’ game against Brentford.

Saka and Rice both hobbled off with knocks in the second half of the stunning 3-0 Champions League win over Real Madrid in midweek but Arteta has confirmed that they are “both fit” for the weekend. Arteta does have a track record of half-truths when it comes to injuries, but he’s yet to lie outright so far as we can recall. They’re ready to go.

Chris Wood & Anthony Elanga

The recent absence of Wood after he was injured on New Zealand duty has been a nuisance for Nottingham Forest and FPL fans alike, and a minor muscular injury for Swedish winger Anthony Elanga won’t have made things any easier – nor is Nuno Espirito Santo in a mood to offer players much help.

Echoing recent comments about Wood’s fitness, Santo said that the club were “still assessing” their injured players (which also includes Taiwo Awonity), adding that some had small problems while others “not so small”. Thanks, Nuno. He did at least add that he was “hopeful” all of his players will be fit, but there is no real clarity available, unfortunately.

Justin Kluivert

Dutch winger Kluivert was in flying form before a muscular injury ruled him out of the last two matches, and he remains a doubt for Bournemouth’s Monday night match against Fulham - but Andoni Iraola did sound positive about his chances of being involved. He only said that the Cherries “will try” to get Kluivert ready, but hinted that he was closer to a return that team-mates Luis Sinisterra, who may himself be involved. Which is about as clear as mud, in all truth, but it sounds eminently plausible that the former AS Roma man will feature.

Anthony Gordon

Newcastle’s assistant manager Jason Tindall was on press conference duties this week as the unfortunate Eddie Howe has been “bed-ridden” with a nasty illness – which, in case you’re worrying about your assistant manager chip, doesn’t affect his ability to pick up some points.

Winger Gordon is more of a concern, however. A bruised hip he sustained while on international duty with England has kept him out of action for a couple of weeks and Tindall said the club will make “a late call” on his availability. Touch and go ahead of a crucial double gameweek. Alexander Isak, by the way, “feels fine” having been yellow-flagged ahead of last weekend.

Alisson

Players who have held on to the Brazilian goalkeeper as he missed consecutive matches while recovering from a concussion will be relieved to hear that he’s ready to go again – Arne Slot confirmed that he was back and set to play against West Ham. Conor Bradley is also available once more and will deputise for the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold, making him an intriguing budget option.

Kaoru Mitoma

Fabian Hürzeler opened his press conference by saying that there would be “no big changes” for Brighton’s match against Leicester City this weekend – before admitting that Japanese winger Mitoma is a doubt. Sounds like a big change to us, even if his recent form has been a little disappointing from an FPL perspective. It’s a heel injury for Mitoma, and we can’t really offer any sensible odds on his being involved, but Jan Paul van Hecke will of course be out through suspension.

Vitalii Mykolenko

A decent number of players have held on to the £4.4m full-back despite Everton’s difficult run of fixtures, and those who were worried after he missed the 1-1 draw with Arsenal last week can probably breathe a sigh of relief – Mykolenko was spotted in training on Thursday and seems to be in good shape to play after a knock. David Moyes didn’t confirm his availability but did confirm that he was “back on grass”, and hinted that he was ahead of Dwight McNeil and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, both doubts for the weekend, in terms of his recovery.