Premier League Matchday 6 is on the horizon, and it’s time to track the biggest stars around the league with updates on if they will be back this weekend and, if not, when fans can expect to see them and plug them into their FPL teams.
Chelsea DM Moises Caicedo
Chelsea’s world-class defensive midfielder Moises Caicedo has been out since the end of August with a calf injury, but his return is on the horizon. He’s been resting in London over this international break, and these three weeks off football are the perfect time for him to train. As of right now, Caicedo is expected to return for Chelsea on Oct. 10 when they face Bournemouth. Many expected him to be back against Brentford before the break, but he was held out as a precaution. It would be a surprise if he didn’t train and make his return. He could be a dicy play because of the injury, but he is a points monster defensively and is worth a gamble if more news comes out closer to Matchday 6 that he’s ready to start.
Chelsea CF Joao Pedro
Meanwhile, Chelsea star striker Joao Pedro, who has been one of the team’s best players to start the season, is out with knee issues since just before the September break. He is actually not expected to be back when Chelsea first play after the break against Bournemouth, but rather the following week on Oct. 17 against Everton. Pedro was held out of the international break by Brazil, and since Xabi Alonso has been very vague with injury updates, we can at least expect that he won’t be back vs. Bournemouth just yet.
Tottenham Hotspur CB Jan Paul van Hecke
Jan Paul van Hecke is one of the latest stars to suffer an injury over the international break, and he was apparently hurt in the 2-1 win over Serbia ahead of a huge matchup on Saturday afternoon against Manchester United. Van Hecke has a foot injury of unknown severity or description, and with an unclear return date, it’s safe to expect a Marcos Senesi start against the Red Devils.
Liverpool LW Cody Gakpo
Likewise, another Dutch star, Liverpool’s forward Cody Gakpo, suffered an injury over the international break, just as he was enjoying an incredible bounce-back season under Andoni Iraola. Gakpo has an ankle injury that he sustained in that Serbia game. The exact length of Gakpo’s injury is unclear, but he is expected to miss multiple games and is extremely unlikely to play against Manchester City.
Chelsea RB Reece James
Chelsea star right back Reece James is frequently injured, and like a few of his teammates, he suffered an ailment just before the break, hurting his hamstring vs. Hull City. The England international, though, should be back for the Bournemouth matchup after missing the Brentford debacle and sitting out through the September international break. I wouldn’t trust him in fantasy, though.
Arsenal CF Kai Havertz
Arsenal star striker Kai Havertz is back to being the Gunners main solution in the middle, but the German international went down during the international break with a muscular strain. He remains without an exact timetable for a return, but because his injury is seen as very minor, he is expected to miss no time for the Gunners and play this coming Saturday vs. Leeds. He should still be a major fantasy factor despite the injury.
Manchester United RW Amad Diallo
Amad Diallo has been out since late August with an injury that was initially seen as an unserious knock, but the Ivory Coast international has been unable to help his sliding Red Devils since. The good news is that Diallo has recently, finally started training with his Manchester United teammates and is expected to return to face Tottenham Hotspur after the ankle injury. But because it has been a while since he last played, Diallo probably isn’t going to be fantasy relevant as a starter.
Sunderland ST Brian Brobbey
Brian Brobbey is having some huge games, including recently against Manchester City, but the young star striker for Sunderland is out with a recent hamstring injury over the break. Hamstring injuries are tricky, and Brobbey was in visible pain when he pulled out of the Netherlands’ game against Germany. I wouldn’t expect him to be ready to face Brighton.
Arsenal LW Christos Tzolis
Greek star Christos Tzolis is one of the freshest injuries, hurting his hamstring in his country’s 2-2 draw with the Netherlands. The new Arsenal star forward is totally without a definitive timetable for return, but he could miss a few weeks with this ailment. There is no way anyone should be starting him in fantasy this coming weekend against the Peacocks, though Eberechi Eze could be a worthwhile differential play in his stead.
Arsenal CB Cristhian Mosquera
Arsenal star center back Cristhian Mosquera was tabbed as a fantasy sleeper after William Saliba’s back injury and his own great performances as a rookie Premier League player in 2025/26, but he has been out since August with his own hamstring woes. The young Spaniard is also finally back in training, though, and there is real optimism he can be available for selection against Leeds. He’s probably off the fantasy radar and not yet worth starting, but his status is worth monitoring if he trains well this week.
Arsenal RB Ben White
Yet another Arsenal star on the injury list, England international Ben White has also been out with a tricky hamstring injury, suffering it a few weeks ago just before the international break. The former Brighton man is also back in training, and, likewise, there is optimism that he will return on Oct. 10 vs. Leeds. I don’t think he’s a strong enough fantasy play and is questionable to start anyway, but his return is coming up soon.
READ MORE: The biggest takeaway for each Premier League Big 6 club before 2026/27 season resumes in October
Manchester United CB Matthijs De Ligt
Dutch defender Matthijs De Ligt’s injury woes have been well documented, but it is hard to argue against the notion that Manchester United are a better team with him than they are without him. The former Juventus and Bayern Munich man has been out of the struggling Red Devils lineup since the middle of September with a back injury, and while there was initially optimism that the oft-injured center back could return for the big game against Tottenham Hotspur next weekend, manager Michael Carrick wants to take things slow, given the player’s history. So it is more likely De Ligt returns to the team a few days later for a bigger game in the Champions League vs. Atletico Madrid.
Make us a preferred source on Google and see more of our football coverage.
THE TRIVELA EFFECT
Purveyor of footy since the 90s. Favor the Premier League and old school Serie A with a touch of Bundesliga. More than a touch. Professional writer for 20 years, covering every sport but now focused on the Premier League and world football. You won’t be able to guess my favorite team.