<p>Injury and suspensions are piling up for many Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers, with the weekend&#8217;s FA Cup games bringing fresh concerns for several players.</p>
<p>Check out our <a href="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/premier-league-predicted-lineups">team news and predicted lineups article</a> later this week for full updates from every club press conference before Gameweek 28.</p>
<p>But in the meantime, here&#8217;s a round-up of the main issues to look out for.</p>
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<p><em><strong>Updated: 05/03/25 (Hall update)</strong></em></p>
<h2>Alexander Isak</h2>
<p>Newcastle forward Isak was back in the starting 11 on Sunday (March 2) after missing Gameweek 27 with a groin issue.</p>
<p>The Swede was on the scoresheet against Brighton and played 86 minutes but Eddie Howe noted after the game that his star man was tired. He said:</p>
<blockquote><p>&#8220;I think [it was] a little bit of fatigue for Alex, I think he worked incredibly hard for us.</p>
<p>“So yeah, I think hopefully no injury just a bit of fatigue and he’ll be fine.”</p></blockquote>
<p>Isak&#8217;s return is good news on the face of it &#8211; but it&#8217;s possible he could be rested or taken off early against West Ham on Monday with the Carabao Cup final the following Sunday.</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/best-fpl-players-for-gameweek-28"><strong>Best FPL picks for Gameweek 28</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<p>Howe will not want to lose ground in the race for the top four though and <strong>Anthony Gordon&#8217;s </strong>suspension already blunts the Magpies in attack, so FPL owners will be hoping for an Isak start.</p>
<p>The 19 goal striker is the most transferred out player since the Gameweek 27 deadline passed, with more than 210,000 ditching him.</p>
<p>He blanks in Gameweek 29 but plays twice in Double Gameweek 32.</p>
<p>The Brighton tie led to other issues for Howe, with <strong>Kieran Trippier</strong> having felt a problem in his back and <strong>Tino Livramento </strong>struggling in extra time &#8211; but the latter was likely suffering from cramp.</p>
<p><strong>Sven Botman </strong>trained on Saturday but was not &#8216;100%&#8217; and was therefore not risked.</p>
<div id="attachment_71213" style="width: 808px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-71213" class="size-full wp-image-71213" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Isak-gw1-27.jpg" alt="Alexander Isak's stats" width="798" height="650" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Isak-gw1-27.jpg 798w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Isak-gw1-27-300x244.jpg 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Isak-gw1-27-768x626.jpg 768w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Isak-gw1-27-610x497.jpg 610w" sizes="(max-width: 798px) 100vw, 798px" /><p id="caption-attachment-71213" class="wp-caption-text">Alexander Isak&#8217;s <a href="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/opta/" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1" title="FPL Stats by OPTA - Player and Team Stats">stats</a></p></div>
<h2>Lewis Hall</h2>
<p>Isak isn&#8217;t the only Newcastle-related concern for FPL fans, with 22% owned full-back Hall missing the Brighton game.</p>
<p>Hall was sent to see a specialist after scans on his ankle, following pain in the aftermath of the Liverpool defeat in Gameweek 27. Howe said:</p>
<blockquote><p>“It’s an ankle problem that Lewis picked up after the Liverpool game. He didn’t really recover well. He felt pain, so he had a scan and now he’s been to see a specialist.</p>
<p>&#8220;We’re awaiting further news. There’s no timescale on that at the moment.”</p></blockquote>
<p>Newcastle provided an update on Wednesday (March 5), confirming Hall would be out long term. A statement on the club&#8217;s website read:</p>
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<div class="articleHeaderBlock_articleHeaderBlock__MCQgW articleHeaderBlock_tokens__TAdR6 articleHeaderBlock_contain__SZCXP articleHeaderBlock_withImage__2VUvt">
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<p class="v3-paragraph-module__tokens___0FOvh v3-paragraph__tokens v3-paragraph-module__paragraph___6fUvE v3-paragraph__paragraph articleHeaderBlock_summary__k_l4i" data-testid="paragraph">&#8220;Newcastle United defender Lewis Hall will miss the rest of the 2024/25 season after sustaining an injury to a bone in his foot.</p>
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<p class="v3-paragraph-module__tokens___0FOvh v3-paragraph__tokens v3-paragraph-module__paragraph___6fUvE v3-paragraph__paragraph useContentfulRichTextRendererOptions_paragraph__bmKfT" data-testid="paragraph">&#8220;The 20-year-old was injured during the Magpies&#8217; Premier League fixture at Liverpool.</p>
<p class="v3-paragraph-module__tokens___0FOvh v3-paragraph__tokens v3-paragraph-module__paragraph___6fUvE v3-paragraph__paragraph useContentfulRichTextRendererOptions_paragraph__bmKfT" data-testid="paragraph">&#8220;Following a scan and advice from a specialist, Lewis will undergo surgery before a period of rehabilitation with the club&#8217;s medical team.</p>
<p class="v3-paragraph-module__tokens___0FOvh v3-paragraph__tokens v3-paragraph-module__paragraph___6fUvE v3-paragraph__paragraph useContentfulRichTextRendererOptions_paragraph__bmKfT" data-testid="paragraph">&#8220;Everyone at Newcastle United wishes Lewis the very best with his surgery and recovery.&#8221;</p>
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</blockquote>
<div id="attachment_71214" style="width: 808px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-71214" class="size-full wp-image-71214" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Hall-GW1-27.jpg" alt="Lewis Hall's stats" width="798" height="650" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Hall-GW1-27.jpg 798w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Hall-GW1-27-300x244.jpg 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Hall-GW1-27-768x626.jpg 768w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Hall-GW1-27-610x497.jpg 610w" sizes="(max-width: 798px) 100vw, 798px" /><p id="caption-attachment-71214" class="wp-caption-text">Lewis Hall&#8217;s <a href="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/opta/" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1" title="FPL Stats by OPTA - Player and Team Stats">stats</a></p></div>
<h2>Jean-Philippe Mateta</h2>
<p>Mateta has been in fine form, with nine attacking returns in his last eight league games.</p>
<p>He and Crystal Palace are without a fixture in Gameweek 29 but Ipswich (H) and Southampton (A) either side, as well as two games in Double Gameweek 32, made a compelling case to keep hold of him.</p>
<p>But the Frenchman&#8217;s availability for the weekend is in severe doubt after an horrific challenge by the Milwall goalkeeper on Saturday.</p>
<p>A high boot from Liam Roberts left Mateta requiring hospital treatment and 25 stitches to close a cut to his ear. He was discharged later on Saturday evening.</p>
<p>Speaking after the game, which Palace won 3-1, Palace manager Oliver Glasner said:</p>
<blockquote>
<p class="p1">&#8220;I think he will definitely miss the Ipswich game but I still hope that he&#8217;s available for the quarter-finals of the FA Cup at the end of March, so four weeks&#8217; time.</p>
<p class="p1">“Of course, we all wish him the best.”</p>
</blockquote>
<div id="attachment_71215" style="width: 808px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-71215" class="size-full wp-image-71215" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Mateta-GW1-27.jpg" alt="Jean-Philippe Mateta's stats" width="798" height="650" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Mateta-GW1-27.jpg 798w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Mateta-GW1-27-300x244.jpg 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Mateta-GW1-27-768x626.jpg 768w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Mateta-GW1-27-610x497.jpg 610w" sizes="(max-width: 798px) 100vw, 798px" /><p id="caption-attachment-71215" class="wp-caption-text">Jean-Philippe Mateta&#8217;s <a href="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/opta/" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1" title="FPL Stats by OPTA - Player and Team Stats">stats</a></p></div>
<h2>Kaoru Mitoma</h2>
<p>Brighton were forced into a change late on in regular time against Newcastle after winger Mitoma went down.</p>
<p>The Japanese international was reportedly seen pointing towards his knee. Manager Fabian Hurzeler said:</p>
<blockquote><p>“We have to wait for the scan and then I can say more about that.</p>
<p>&#8220;But hopefully it’s not that bad. Let’s wait.”</p></blockquote>
<div id="attachment_71216" style="width: 808px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-71216" class="size-full wp-image-71216" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Mitoma-GW1-27.jpg" alt="Kaoru Mitoma's stats" width="798" height="650" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Mitoma-GW1-27.jpg 798w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Mitoma-GW1-27-300x244.jpg 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Mitoma-GW1-27-768x626.jpg 768w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Mitoma-GW1-27-610x497.jpg 610w" sizes="(max-width: 798px) 100vw, 798px" /><p id="caption-attachment-71216" class="wp-caption-text">Kaoru Mitoma&#8217;s <a href="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/opta/" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1" title="FPL Stats by OPTA - Player and Team Stats">stats</a></p></div>
<h2>Suspensions: Gordon and Cunha see red</h2>
<p><strong>Anthony Gordon </strong>and <strong>Matheus Cunha </strong>were both sent off in their respective cup fixtures, meaning both will miss Premier League action.</p>
<p>This is particularly problematic for those who invested in Cunha early ahead of Wolves&#8217; game against Southampton (A) Blank Gameweek 29.</p>
<p>The forward was sent off in the closing moments of extra time against Bournemouth after clashing with <strong>Milos Kerkez</strong>.</p>
<p>Cunha is listed as being suspended until April 5 on the FPL website (Gameweek 31) but he could face a longer ban.</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/fpl-yellow-cards-and-suspensions"><strong>Suspensions and bookings: Full list</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<p>The Brazilian was hit with a retrospective two-match ban for misconduct in December, when he was involved in post-match scuffles with an Ipswich staff member.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/2025/03/02/how-many-games-will-matheus-cunha-miss-for-wolves/">local press</a> however do not think this will be taken into account in the Football Association&#8217;s latest investigation as it was not an on-field decision.</p>
<p>Gordon is expected to miss three games for violent conduct, which will include Newcastle&#8217;s Carabao Cup final against Liverpool.</p>
<p>The Magpies are considering an <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cy4ve8ll0yjo#:~:text=The%20Magpies%20forward%20was%20dismissed,Liverpool%20on%20Sunday%2C%2016%20March.">appeal</a>.</p>
<div id="attachment_71199" style="width: 808px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-71199" class="size-full wp-image-71199" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/FFStuffImage-2025-03-03T020148.591.jpg" alt="" width="798" height="650" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/FFStuffImage-2025-03-03T020148.591.jpg 798w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/FFStuffImage-2025-03-03T020148.591-300x244.jpg 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/FFStuffImage-2025-03-03T020148.591-768x626.jpg 768w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/FFStuffImage-2025-03-03T020148.591-610x497.jpg 610w" sizes="(max-width: 798px) 100vw, 798px" /><p id="caption-attachment-71199" class="wp-caption-text">Matheus Cunha is facing a lengthy suspension</p></div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Check out our fantasy football ultimate guides</h2>
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FPL Gameweek 28 early team news: Isak, Mateta, Mitoma and Hall fitness, Cunha ban

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