Bukayo Saka&#8217;s fitness was the major talking point ahead of Gameweek 8 &#8211; but what is the latest on his injury and other popular Fantasy Premier League (FPL) picks?
In this article, we take a look at the main injury news following the weekend&#8217;s action and some of the things to look out for later this week ahead of Gameweek 9.
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 as managers&#8217; pre-match press conferences take place.

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Last updated: 23/10/24
<h2>Bukayo Saka</h2>
The hours before the Gameweek 8 deadline were dominated by Saka speculation.
Mikel Arteta seemed unusually open in his assessment of the midfielder&#8217;s condition in his press conference. Ahead of Saturday&#8217;s game against Bournemouth, he told reporters:
<blockquote> &#8220;He’s evolving really well. He’s done a few things in the last few days when he came back from the national team after the second game.
&#8220;We are hopeful. We have a training session this afternoon and he did some bits yesterday, so let’s see if he can make it on time.&#8221;</blockquote>
Some FPL managers were skeptical of the update, used to having limited helpful information from the Gunners&#8217; manager. Was it <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2024/sep/24/arsenal-mikel-arteta-rejects-dark-arts-carabao-cup-bolton">&#8216;dark arts&#8217;</a> or had paranoia set in among the community?
Being an away fixture, there was another opportunity for a steer. Would Saka get off the bus at their south coast hotel?
But this created more questions than answer.
There was some classic FPL Twitter detective focused on a hooded figure who <a href="https://x.com/FPLTommyGun">walked past the camera</a>.
Was it Saka or Jurrien Timber?
Was the unidentified man&#8217;s bag &#8216;similar&#8217; to one Saka had previously sported? Did shouts of &#8216;Saka&#8217; from the crowd indicate they had a better view? And would <a href="https://x.com/fpl_tactician/status/1847407618496569606">Andy Martin&#8217;s picture</a> next to a background sign for height comparison purposes solve the mystery?
<div id="attachment_67672" style="width: 907px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-67672" class="size-full wp-image-67672" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Saka-image-2.jpg" alt="Bukayo Saka, who is 5ft 10ins, for future reference..." width="897" height="731" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Saka-image-2.jpg 897w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Saka-image-2-300x244.jpg 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Saka-image-2-768x626.jpg 768w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Saka-image-2-610x497.jpg 610w" sizes="(max-width: 897px) 100vw, 897px" />Bukayo Saka, who is 5ft 10ins, for future reference&#8230;</div>
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Ultimately, no. It must have been neither Saka nor Timber, with both left out of the matchday squad.
And with FPL managers left unsure, some held Saka and others risked a sale, judging that his tricky set of upcoming fixtures and lingering doubt tipped the balance in favour of swapping to another premium.
Sellers must have breathed a sigh of relief when the team news dropped.
Speaking to Sky Sports on Saturday, Arteta&#8217;s update on his star man was rather less hopeful than his previous comments:
<blockquote>“We tried the last few days. We tried yesterday and he didn’t have the right feeling.
&#8220;If he feels like that then there’s no point pushing him.&#8221;</blockquote>
FPL Gameweek 9 is therefore set for a similar discussion &#8211; although a Friday evening deadline and a Sunday home game for Arsenal against Liverpool all but rules out any leaks.
Arsenal do however have a Champions League game against Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday (October 22). A Saka start would make things much easier.
In his Champions League press conference on Monday morning, Arteta said:
<blockquote>They [Saka and Martin Odegaard] are closer. Both are progressing well. Martin not fit. With Bukayo let’s see how he is with the training session later on today.&#8221;</blockquote>
On Timber, he added:
<blockquote>&#8220;I think it’s gonna be close. We’ll have to see how he deals with training with the whole group because he hasn’t done it yet.&#8221;</blockquote>
Saka missed the Shakhtar game &#8211; see our <a href="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/saka-injury-latest-fpl-replacements-gameweek-9">latest article</a> for all the updates.
<div id="attachment_67825" style="width: 517px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-67825" class="size-full wp-image-67825" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Mystery-Arsenal-player-fixtures.jpg" alt="A mystery Arsenal player in a video sparked confusion over whether Bukayo Saka had travelled. Below: Arsenal's upcoming fixtures" width="507" height="705" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Mystery-Arsenal-player-fixtures.jpg 507w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Mystery-Arsenal-player-fixtures-216x300.jpg 216w" sizes="(max-width: 507px) 100vw, 507px" />A mystery Arsenal player in a video sparked confusion over whether Bukayo Saka had travelled. Below: Arsenal&#8217;s upcoming fixtures</div>
<h2>Riccardo Calafiori</h2>
Calafiori was a casualty of Arsenal&#8217;s Champions League win, appearing to hurt his knee after falling awkwardly while defending.
Speaking after the game, Arteta said:
<blockquote>&#8220;He felt something. He could not continue playing. So, [it is a] bit of a worry.&#8221;</blockquote>
<div id="attachment_65648" style="width: 907px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-65648" class="size-full wp-image-65648" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Calafiori-2.jpg" alt="Riccardo Calafiori" width="897" height="731" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Calafiori-2.jpg 897w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Calafiori-2-300x244.jpg 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Calafiori-2-768x626.jpg 768w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Calafiori-2-610x497.jpg 610w" sizes="(max-width: 897px) 100vw, 897px" />Riccardo Calafiori</div>
<h2>Danny Welbeck, Yankuba Minteh and Kaoru Mitoma</h2>
In-form Brighton striker Welbeck was on the scoresheet again on Saturday, scoring against Newcastle to help the Seagulls to a 0-1 win.
The 33-year-old is up to five league goals for the season &#8211; but was later stretchered off with a back injury and was given oxygen.
After the game, Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler said:
<blockquote>&#8220;No updates. I can&#8217;t say any updates. I think he got a knee in his lower back. Let&#8217;s wait until later, until tomorrow, then we&#8217;ll know more.&#8221;</blockquote>
Welbeck was fit to fly home later on and took to Twitter to update fans:
<blockquote>&#8220;Still a bit sore, but after some extra checks and scan today, I’m pleased to say I should be back in training soon. Thanks to our medical staff and Newcastle Royal Infirmary A&amp;E for their care and professionalism. Also to the boys for waiting for me to get home! Huge 3 points.”</blockquote>
Brighton host Wolves on Saturday, with Hurzeler due to meet the media later this week.
Further updates can be expected on Joao Pedro, absent since the last international break, and Yankuba Minteh, who was left out at the weekend.
On Minteh and Kaoru Mitoma, who got time off the bench, Hurzeler said:
<blockquote>&#8220;We had a long international break, long travels, and they came back with small issues.&#8221;</blockquote>
<div id="attachment_67826" style="width: 907px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-67826" class="size-full wp-image-67826" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Welbeck-stats-gw1-8.jpg" alt="Danny Welbeck's stats" width="897" height="731" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Welbeck-stats-gw1-8.jpg 897w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Welbeck-stats-gw1-8-300x244.jpg 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Welbeck-stats-gw1-8-768x626.jpg 768w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Welbeck-stats-gw1-8-610x497.jpg 610w" sizes="(max-width: 897px) 100vw, 897px" />Danny Welbeck&#8217;s <a href="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/opta/" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1" title="FPL Stats by OPTA - Player and Team Stats">stats</a></div>
<h2>Diogo Jota</h2>
Jota is less popular than he was at the start of the season, now in just 8.1% of teams.
That number is unlikely to increase after he was taken off in the first half against Chelsea on Sunday.
The Portuguese collided with Tosin Adarabioyo and looked to have rib pain. Liverpool manager Arne Slot said:
<blockquote>&#8220;Diogo had to be substituted and I am not sure what it is, but I’d be surprised if he is there on Wednesday [Champions League match].&#8221;</blockquote>
<div id="attachment_67827" style="width: 907px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-67827" class="size-full wp-image-67827" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Jota-stats.jpg" alt="Diogo Jota's stats" width="897" height="731" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Jota-stats.jpg 897w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Jota-stats-300x244.jpg 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Jota-stats-768x626.jpg 768w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Jota-stats-610x497.jpg 610w" sizes="(max-width: 897px) 100vw, 897px" />Diogo Jota&#8217;s <a href="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/opta/" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1" title="FPL Stats by OPTA - Player and Team Stats">stats</a></div>
<h2>Jacob Greaves</h2>
Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna revealed on Saturday that budget FPL defender Greaves would be out for several weeks.
McKenna, who also gave an update on Ben Johnson, said:
<blockquote>&#8220;He has a hamstring injury from the West Ham game and is going to be out for a few weeks at least.
&#8220;Ben Johnson got an injury very late in the training week this week. We&#8217;re still assessing that one but it&#8217;s probably going to be a couple of weeks as well.&#8221;</blockquote>
Johnson&#8217;s issue creates a gap at right-back, with Axel Tuanzebe&#8217;s freak hand injury keeping him sidelined. Centre-back Dara O&#8217;Shea filled in against Everton on Saturday.
<div id="attachment_67828" style="width: 907px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-67828" class="size-full wp-image-67828" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Jacob-Greaves.jpg" alt="Jacob Greaves" width="897" height="731" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Jacob-Greaves.jpg 897w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Jacob-Greaves-300x244.jpg 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Jacob-Greaves-768x626.jpg 768w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Jacob-Greaves-610x497.jpg 610w" sizes="(max-width: 897px) 100vw, 897px" />Jacob Greaves</div>
<h2>Jarrad Branthwaite</h2>
Branthwaite is seen by many as the key to Everton&#8217;s defensive stability.
But the Toffees secured a 2-0 win at Ipswich, with backup centre-back Michael Keane on target.
Branthwaite was in line for a start but Sean Dyche said he was not rushing the 22-year-old prospect after his recent niggles:
<blockquote>&#8220;He [Keane] deserved to stay in the team I thought and I kept him in. Jarrad is close to being fit and possibly could have played but I feel he needs another week’s training to make sure his body is right. But I though Keano delivered a very good performance today. It was an excellent goal but he is a very good finisher.
“I made a bit of a call on that [Branthwaite]. He was chomping at the bit but the last game we put him in I felt maybe was a bit quick. He was fine for the game and did very well but got injured the next week so I thought, as he only trained on Thursday and Friday, we have got to be careful here.
&#8220;So we left it so he could do work at the training ground and then continue to have a full week of training next week and then hopefully his body is more ready for when he is needed.”</blockquote>
<div id="attachment_67829" style="width: 907px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-67829" class="size-full wp-image-67829" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Branthwaite-Everton.jpg" alt="Jarrad Branthwaite" width="897" height="731" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Branthwaite-Everton.jpg 897w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Branthwaite-Everton-300x244.jpg 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Branthwaite-Everton-768x626.jpg 768w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Branthwaite-Everton-610x497.jpg 610w" sizes="(max-width: 897px) 100vw, 897px" />Jarrad Branthwaite</div>
&nbsp;
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