Saka, Wirtz & Mukiele: Latest FPL injury news for Gameweek 27 before Arsenal take on Chelsea

Another Fantasy Premier League deadline is rapidly approaching, and this week we’ll have to make all of our transfers before 18:30 GMT on Friday evening ahead of Aston Villa’s trip to Wolves – but as always, injury worries are making life harder for managers everywhere.

Bukayo Saka and Florian Wirtz are among the key FPL assets who are injury doubts ahead of Gameweek 27, and there are plenty of other players who could miss out. To make life easier, then, we’ve combed through the media reports and listened in to the managers’ pre-match press conferences to bring you the latest injury news ahead of the deadline.

Oh, and if you’re scratching your head about how to handle your wildcard, free hit and other chips before the end of the season, you can also check out our resident expert’s guide to chip strategy right here.

Bukayo Saka & Florian Wirtz among big FPL names who could be injured

Bukayo Saka: There is a certain degree of concern over the fitness of England winger Saka, who came off in evident pain towards the end of the North London Derby this weekend after getting in a tangle with Xavi Simons.

Surprisingly, Mikel Arteta didn’t say a word about Saka during his press conference, which one would assume means that he’s good to go. He appeared to be moving freely after the game, which is promising, but clearly picked up a knock of some kind – but there is presently no immediate reason to believe that he won’t be in the startling line-up. Kai Havertz could well return, too, and is slated to train on Friday, with Ben White sounding a little less likely for now.

Florian Wirtz: The £116m summer signing has picked up some form since the turn of the year, but was ruled out of last week’s win over Nottingham Forest after picking up an injury during the warm-up – and he won’t be back just yet, with Arne Slot confirming that the German was out, adding that “I honestly don’t know” when Wirtz might return. Probably time to sell to be safe.

Jeremie Frimpong: Expensive full-back Jeremie Frimpong is back, at least, and should be in the starting line-up against West Ham, potentially making the Dutchman an interesting differential option for anybody struggling to make up ground in their mini-leagues.

Nordi Mukiele & Brian Brobbey: A very popular budget defensive option, Mukiele will be missing for at least a “two to four weeks,” according to Régis Le Bris, after he was forced off with what looked like a calf problem early in the defeat to Fulham. Striker Brobbey is in exactly the same boat, and with Reinildo Mandava and Dennis Cirkin also still out we wonder if it’s time to move on from Sunderland’s defence for a little while.

Chelsea & Newcastle stars among injured FPL assets

Estêvão Willian & Marc Cucurella: We had to wait for the results of a scan on a hamstring injury that the Brazilian wonderkid picked up in training last week, but Liam Rosenior has now confirmed that Estêvão will be out for “a little bit” - vague, but he certainly won’t play this week. Less expectedly, Cucurella has also been ruled out with an undisclosed, short-term issue.

Lewis Miley: A budget option in a fair number of teams, Miley has been out for longer than expected with a dead leg and it sounds like he won’t return this week, either, with Eddie Howe saying that it will be “a couple of weeks” before he’s back in the side. Tino Livramento is apparently slated for an early March comeback, while Jacob Ramsey faces a late fitness test.

Pedro Porro & Micky van de Ven: The Athletic report that Porro will be back to face Fulham after a recent lay-off, should anyone fancy taking a chance on Spurs defenders under new interim manager Igor Tudor. Van de Ven is carrying a minor toe injury, but seems likely to be involved regardless.

Michael Kayode: The full-back picked up a knock during last Friday’s training session and ultimately missed the defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion – he’s been in training this week, according to Keith Andrews, but will be checked prior to the weekend. A doubt.

Antonee Robinson & Kevin: Injuries have prevented left-back Robinson from being in many teams this season, and he’s touch and go with a minor ankle injury this week too. We’re also waiting for an update on Kevin, who was hurt against Sunderland last weekend – Marco Silva said that it “doesn’t look good” for his handful of owners after that match.