FPL injury update: Haaland, Wood, Palmer, Mateta, Saka, Alisson latest for GW30

After a lengthy time away from Fantasy Premier League due to the international break and FA Cup quarter-finals, the Premier League is back - and so is FPL. However, as a result of players being in action for their countries over the break and in the cup at the weekend, several have picked up concerning injuries and may not play in GW30. Here, Express Sport takes a look at some of the most popular players who are injury doubts as many managers consider activating a wildcard...

Erling Haaland

At the time of writing on Wednesday, Haaland is owned by nearly a third (30.9%) of the game’s total players, who would have started fretting when he was brought off during Manchester City’s FA Cup win over Bournemouth after an hour. He limped off with an ankle problem after trying to play on.

Pep Guardiola's side released a statement on Monday night outlining the diagnosis of their No. 9's injury, and it appears that if the striker is to return this season, it is unlikely to be soon.

The statement read: "Erling underwent initial tests in Manchester on Monday morning and will now seek specialist consultation to confirm the full extent of the injury.

"Assessment remains ongoing to ascertain a full prognosis. The expectation is that Erling will be fit in time to play a further part in the remainder of this season, including this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup."

Guardiola added on Tuesday: "The doctors told me between five and seven weeks. So hopefully for the end of season and FIFA Club World Cup he will be ready." It's time to sell Haaland then folks - and maybe time to pile in on Omar Marmoush who will lead the line for City in his absence.

Chris Wood

Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood was forced off the pitch on international duty with New Zealand, complaining of pain in his hip.

Initial reports suggested that he had not suffered a long-term injury, but being left out of the FA Cup squad entirely will have caused concern for his many FPL owners.

Nuno Espirito Santo then provided a more worrying assessment, explaining: "Not good. Let's wait and see. It is going to be day by day we have to assess him.

"It is all about the pain he has. It was a big impact on his hip and it is very painful. We have to assess him."

Asked about Wood’s availability for Tuesday’s trip to Manchester United, Nuno did not rule him out but the centre-forward may not be risked with massive matches on the horizon including an FA Cup semi-final against a Haaland-less Man City.

Cole Palmer

More positive news on the injury front comes for Cole Palmer who looks set to return for Chelsea in their London derby with Tottenham on Thursday.

The England man skipped international duty and Chelsea’s last match, away to Arsenal before the break, as a result of a hamstring injury.

But he was spotted back in training on Friday and presuming there is no setback, has plenty of time to prove his fitness for Spurs’ visit. The playmaker is expected to start and could be an intriguing option with many having sold him in recent gameweeks due to his decline in form and his injury.

Jean-Philippe Mateta

Jean-Philippe Mateta was hospitalised in the previous round of the FA Cup but returned for the 3-0 dismantling of Fulham wearing a protective mask.

He lasted 70 minutes before being replaced by the goalscoring Eddie Nketiah and is well-placed to feature again away to Southampton next.

He is a strong pick on a wildcard with Palace enjoying a double gameweek coming up.

Bukayo Saka

Saka is "ready to go", according to Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta. The head coach even teased that his talismanic winger may start in Tuesday's match with Fulham.

The England star has spent three months injured with a torn hamstring and underwent surgery on the problem. But he is back in full training and played in a behind closed doors friendly recently, coming through unscathed.

He is expected to play at least some part this week in a huge boost for Arsenal's end to the season. Arteta said: "The careful thing is already done. Now it’s about putting him on the grass, in the right moments. But he is pushing because he really wants it.

"It’s another massive weapon that we have with him. We know the impact that he has had on the team and how important his role and his contribution is to our success. So it is great to have him back, obviously."

Alisson Becker

Alisson had to be taken off for Brazil after suffering a suspected concussion from a collision with former Tottenham defender Davinson Sanchez.

He withdrew from the squad which then lost 4-1 to Argentina and returned to Liverpool. While the weekend would likely have come too soon if the Reds were still in the FA Cup, he has been in training and appears fit to play in midweek.

An extra few days of recovery should be enough for Alisson to start in the Merseyside derby against Everton on Wednesday.