Here’s a few relevant news stories as of the morning of 10 June to help you with your World Cup Fantasy Football Team. Includes news on Neymar, Lukaku, RVP, YYT, Suarez and Ronaldo. Relevant to all formats and covers injuries and other issues. The injury information will be relevant especially if you’re locked into your team during the Group stage such as the Sun or McDonalds format. You’ll have more latitude with say the Telegraph format where you can make transfers after seeing the team sheet. The stories are not in any particular oder.
Neymar
There have been some reports of an ankle injury in training although the reports went to say that he ran it off afterwards. Looks like newspaper scare mongering but worth monitoring.
The Ox
Did some light training after his knee ligament injury. Doesn’t seem likely he’ll be available for the opener though. Some optimism for the 2nd game. Probably more of an issue for who he could replace in the team as his ability to run at people seperates him from the rest of the team and gametime is likely when fit.
RVP
Has declared himself 100% fit after going off with a groin injury. Did proceed to then say he’s being playing in pain for years so it will be interesting to see how he plays.
Ribery and Reus
If you didn’t already know they’re out of the World Cup through injury
Suarez
Keeps making positive noises about being fit but has cast doubts on even being fit for the England game so perhaps being fit for the World Cup means being fit assuming Uruguay qualify. Cavani will carry the load
Giroud and Benzema
Both strikers were played in the demolition of Jamaica and Benzema scored twice. Prior to that the form of Giroud had cast some doubt on his starting role. That performance could end that and the precedent of playing 2 strikers could be good news in this favourable Group and de-risks Benzema even more
Immobile and Ballotelli
Immobile’s hat trick against Fluminese put a scare into those managers considering Ballotelli for their World Cup fantasy football teams. Sky report that the Italy Manager is considering playing them together although I’m struggling to find any quotes to back this up.
Diego Costa
Played 74 minutes of the recent El Salvador friendly. Looks good for a starting place despite Spains tinkering with false 9s. Interestingly Fabregas missed a penalty which may bring Costa into the frame as he takes them for A Madrid.
Vidal
Some Australian papers have cast doubt over the Juventus box to box sensation starting against Australia in the first game. A big blow for Sun Dream Teamers as he could have been a Sun star man magnet had Chile performed.
Yaya Toure
Potential Sun Star Man magnet for the Ivory Coast is a doubt for the opening game. He hasn’t played a part in any of the friendlies and has been nursing an injury since not completing City’s last game of the season. He’s also yet to fully train with the squad.
Debuchy
Personally I can’t see how Debuchy could be selected ahead of Sagna but it seems a possibility. However he was was substituted against Jamaica with a leg injury although no specifics. Some reports suggest not serious but needs monitoring. The first match is the plumb tie against Honduras
Ronaldo Meirleles and Pepe
All 3 are injury doubts. There is 1 more friendly and whether the 3 play will be very interesting. Ronaldo and Meireles have trained the last few days and Pepe one. No confirmation re the opening game against Germany. Here’s the Coach’s quote which isn’t that helpful
“My confidence in the medical department of the national team is 100 per cent,” “We are pleased with the progress of Ronaldo.
“With the exception of Beto, all of the players are training without limitations. Pepe and Raul Meireles also trained today.
“To me there is nothing more important than the players’ health. This is something that we always consider and we take our decisions bearing this in mind.
“All three [Ronaldo, Meireles and Pepe] are different injury situations. In the case of Raul, he played until the end of the league season.
“Ronaldo’s case is somewhat different. It had to do with what happened in the Champions League final.
“Pepe’s case happened before the Champions League final. They are different situations and we are trying to address all of them.”
Neuer
Germanys number 1 GK expected to be fit for the opening game after shoulder injury
Lukaku
Is a risk for the opening game which is a plumb tie against Algeria after limping out with an ankle injury in the friendly against Tunisia. That could open the way for Mirallas to play forward or they could give the striking berth to 19 year old Lille forward Divorck Origi who has impressed to date.
Gerrard
Didn’t participate in full training due to a groin injury although reports seem to suggest it’s only minor. No more friendlies to check though so just Hodgson updates. Would put the penalty duties up for grabs if he couldn’t play. I also wouldn’t be sure who would replace him as they dont seem to have an alternative sitting CDM such as Carrick. Presumably Rooney or Lampard if on the field would take pens.
Ghana 4 South Korea 0
Sochauxs forward Ayew scored a hat trick and Gyan got another. Tough Group for Ghana though with German Portugal and the USA in it. A bandwagon that you may need to be wary of. His record with Sochaux was pretty ordinary with 7 goals and 3 assists in 40 games.
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