Haaland, Gakpo & Son: FPL injury news for Gameweek 26

The Fantasy Premier League returns for Gameweek 26 with another Friday deadline – but as always, there are plenty of injury concerns to keep players on their toes as they debate their transfers and team selections.

Erling Haaland, Cody Gakpo and Son Heung-Min are among the big-name players who could miss minutes this weekend, and we’ve got all the latest injury news on them and a host of other players for you below.

If you’re also in need of some more general advice ahead of the deadline, you can also check out our resident FPL expert’s latest advice column by clicking here – this week, he explains why it might be time to switch out some Nottingham Forest players and why you shouldn’t change your assistant manager.

Erling Haaland

This would have been an even bigger deal last year, but well over a quarter of the player base are still sweating over the Norwegian’s fitness after he was unexpectedly benched for the Champions League defeat to Real Madrid.

Haaland had picked up a knee injury during the 4-0 win over Newcastle and didn’t get on the field on Wednesday despite the desperate situation – and it still isn’t clear whether he’ll face Liverpool this weekend. Pep Guardiola was in rather unhelpful mood when asked about it, simply saying that he would know more on Saturday and he was “maybe” hopeful. John Stones and Manuel Akanji are both out as well.

Cody Gakpo

Quite a few managers had their double gameweek plans left in tatters when the Dutchman ended up missing both of Liverpool’s fixtures through injury – and they may not have much luck getting points out of Gakpo this weekend, either, judging by Arne Slot’s comments.

Gakpo still hadn’t returned to training as of Thursday and while Slot suggested he might get a run-out on Friday, it will be “a close call” as to whether he plays against Manchester City. A substitute appearance sounds like it’s the best we can hope for.

Son Heung-Min

Like Haaland, Son’s stock is down a bit in the FPL this year, but the yellow triangle that popped up next to his name will no doubt have panicked a few managers before the deadline. For once, though, it’s good news for Spurs - there are “no new concerns” this week and Son is fit to play, as are fellow doubtfuls Kevin Danso and Rodrigo Bentancur, although they’re a little less relevant from a Fantasy perspective.

Ezri Konsa

A relatively popular defensive asset, Konsa is the first players sign when they want a defensive asset from Aston Villa - but he missed both of the Villans’ matches last week thanks to a minor muscular injury and remains a slight doubt for this weekend’s game against Chelsea. Unai Emery told reporters that he would need to get through one last training session before being given the nod, although he sounded optimistic. Leon Bailey is in exactly the same boat, while Amadou Onana is out for up to three weeks.

Lewis Dunk

Dunk might be on a few radars given Brighton’s relatively gentle upcoming fixtures, but he’s listed as having a 50% chance to play this weekend due to a rib injury which forced him to miss last Friday’s 3-0 win over Chelsea. Unfortunately, Fabian Hürzeler has updated that to 0%, saying that he is in “a lot of pain”, hasn’t returned to training, and could be out for two to three weeks. One to sell if you have him and certainly not one to sign, unfortunately.

Noni Madueke

The England winger won’t feature against Aston Villa this weekend – and nor will have play any role for Thomas Tuchel next month, by the sound of it. Enzo Maresca says that Madueke will be out until after the March international break thanks to a hamstring injury he picked up against Brighton last week. Not that people were queueing up to sign Chelsea players on current form anyway.

Ben White

White made an unexpectedly early return to the Arsenal squad last weekend when he made the bench against Leicester City, but Mikel Arteta was coy when asked what kind of role he might play this time around, saying “he is ready to play” but also adding that “whether he is ready to start or not we will decide tomorrow.” Probably best to hold off for now, especially as Arsenal’s upcoming fixtures aren’t the kindest and the fact that White’s lay-off was a long one.