Which FPL assets are on international duty and when do they play?

A number of key Fantasy Premier League assets will not be on duty with their respective countries during this first international break of the season.

However, the main bulk of top-flight players are in action between now and Gameweek 5, which is why we have assembled a detailed list of who is involved and on what dates.

Following the first-ever summer Cup of Nations tournament, African football has reached something of a lull which will have positives for Fantasy managers.

Many of the continent’s biggest countries are not in action between now and Gameweek 5, with only friendlies and African Nations Championship, for which Premier League players are not eligible, on the calendar for CAF.

That means that both Mohamed Salah (£12.5m) and Sadio Mané (£11.5m) will be getting a proper break from competitive action during this international break.

Joining those Liverpool players in a genuine rest are Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.0m), Salah’s compatriots Ahmed El Mohamady (£4.5m) and the suspended Trezeguet (£5.4m) while Mané’s international colleagues Cheikhou Kouyaté (£4.9m) and Watford’s Ismaïla Sarr (£6.4m) are also without a match until their next Premier League commitments.

Ghana’s England-based players are also fixtureless during this break, only an African Nations Championship game, which means Jordan Ayew (£5.1m), Jeffrey Schlupp (£5.5m), Daniel Amartey (£4.5m) and Christian Atsu (£5.4m) don’t have international duty either.

The same goes for Cameroon and Brighton defender Gaëtan Bong (£4.4m) as well as for New Zealand and Burnley’s Chris Wood (£6.3m).

Crucially, both of Manchester City’s strikers Sergio Aguero (£12.1m) and Gabriel Jesus (£9.5m) won’t be representing their countries during the international break.

The former, like compatriot Lionel Messi, has not joined up with Argentina as they play two friendlies, while Jesus is suspended at international level.

Not surprisingly, Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson (£5.8m) remains absent from the Brazil setup as he still has work to do on the calf injury picked up against Norwich in Gameweek 1.

Surprisingly, neither Willian (£7.0m) or Fernandinho (£5.3m) have been included in the Brazil squad for their upcoming fixtures, although that probably boosts their chances of starts in Gameweek 5.

As per usual, it is the American and Asian nations whose players will be racking up plenty of air-time during the international break.

Willian’s Chelsea colleague Christian Pulisic (£7.5m) will still be on international duty in the early hours of next Wednesday morning when the USA take on Lucas Torreira’s (£4.9m) Uruguay in Missouri.

That takes place just a few short days before Chelsea travel to Wolves on Saturday September 14, although Arsenal don’t play Watford (away) until the Sunday of Gameweek 5.

Around a similar time to the USA friendly, Mexico and Argentina will be going head-to-head in Texas.

In the small hours of Wednesday morning, Raúl Jiménez (£7.4m) could be in action with his country having made the squad once again, and could be facing any number of Nicolas Otamendi (£5.4m), Manuel Lanzini (£6.5m), Giovani Lo Celso (£7.4m) and/or Roberto Pereyra (£5.9m).

Meanwhile, centre-backs Davinson Sánchez (£5.5m) and Yerry Mina (£5.6m) have commitments with Colombia in Florida at 2am on Wednesday morning ahead of Gameweek 5.

West Ham defender Fabian Balbuena (£4.4m) has a long journey ahead of him over the international break as he travels 6,000 miles to Kashima to face Japan with Paraguay, before a trip to the Middle East for a meeting with Jordan.

Newcastle attacker Miguel Almirón (£5.9m) has managed to miss out on that itinerary, while Southampton’s Maya Yoshida (£4.5m) will be in action in the early hours of Wednesday morning as Japan face Myanmar.

There are also a number of Premier League assets who have pulled out of international duty because of injury problems.

For example, Paul Pogba (£8.5m) has pulled out of the France squad with ankle problem, to be replaced by Arsenal’s Matteo Guendouzi (£4.5m). There is still no N’Golo Kanté (£5.0m) available for Didier Deschamps’ men as he also struggles with an ankle injury.

Meanwhile, the France manager has eased the concerns of those in possession of Sébastien Haller (£7.5m) and Alexandre Lacazette (£9.4m) as neither of them made the cut for international duty despite decent form, although the latter recently picked up a hamstring injury anyway.

After years of calls for his inclusion, Aymeric Laporte (£6.5m) was finally selected for the French squad but is now dealing with a potentially long-term knee injury after Manchester City’s win over Brighton in Gameweek 4.

Meanwhile, Pogba’s Manchester United colleague Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£5.5m) pulled out of the England squad on Tuesday afternoon with a back complaint. That leaves Ole Gunnar Solskjaer potentially short in the full-back areas for the Gameweek 5 meeting with Leicester, as Luke Shaw (£5.4m) and Diogo Dalot (£4.9m) are both out too.

Matt Doherty (£6.0m) was originally selected for the Republic of Ireland but pulled out with knee problems, while compatriot James McCarthy (£4.5m), now of Crystal Palace withdrew without an injury, referencing only his recent return to first-team action.

“I have spoken at length to James [McCarthy]. He has recently moved to Crystal Palace and is only back playing. James is completely free of injury but the intensity of the Switzerland game was always going to be too much for James and we discussed that.” – Mick McCarthy, Republic of Ireland manager

Norwich centre-back Grant Hanley (£4.0m) has pulled out of the Scotland squad as the injury problems in Daniel Farke’s defence continue, while Antonio Rüdiger (£6.0m) is still not considered fit enough for a return to the Germany squad.

His club-mate Mateo Kovačić (£5.5m) is also in the physio room now, having sustained an Achilles problem ahead of Croatia’s upcoming matches.

“Mateo Kovacic has been diagnosed with inflammation of the Achilles tendon grip on his right leg, which is why he cannot compete for Croatia’s upcoming games against Slovakia and Azerbaijan.” – Croatia official statement

Wilfred Ndidi (£5.0m) pulled out of the Nigeria squad after missing Gameweek 3 although returned from injury in Gameweek 4 so he is likely to get a rest.

Finally, Everton striker Moise Kean (£6.8m) has been left out of the Italy squad, along with Nicolò Zaniolo, as a punishment by manager Roberto Mancini.

The pair were were criticised for arriving late to a team meeting at the Euro Under-21 Championships earlier this summer, which may have led to this omission from the senior squad.

Either way, it does mean Kean will be free from international duty ahead of the Gameweek 5 meeting with Bournemouth on Sunday September 15.

“I’m sure they will come in handy later on. I don’t like leaving them behind as punishment. They are still young. We gave them a great opportunity and we hope this helps them going forward. They must learn to behave well. Professionals must always behave well.” – Paolo Maldini

FPL PLAYERS ON INTERNATIONAL DUTY – in full

Arsenal

• Dani Ceballos – Spain – Sep 5 + 8
• Matteo Guendouzi – France – Sep 7 + 10
• Sead Kolasinac – Bosnia & Herzegovina – Sep 5 + 8
• Bernd Leno – Germany – Sep 6 + 9
• Reiss Nelson – England Under-21s – Sep 6 + 9
• Sokratis Papastathopoulos – Greece – Sep 5 + 8
• Nicolas Pépé – Ivory Coast – Sep 6 + 10
• Lucas Torreira – Uruguay – Sep 6 + 10
• Joe Willock – England Under-21s – Sep 6 + 9
• Granit Xhaka – Switzerland – Sep 5 + 8

Aston Villa

• Tom Heaton – England – Sep 7 + 10
• Conor Hourihane – Republic of Ireland – Sep 5 + 10
• Lovre Kalinić – Croatia – Sep 6 + 9
• John McGinn – Scotland – Sep 6 + 9
• Tyrone Mings – England – Sep 7 + 10
• Neil Taylor – Wales – Sep 6 + 9

Bournemouth

• Nathan Aké – Netherlands – Sep 6 + 9
• Philip Billing – Denmark – Sep 5 + 8
• Alex Dobre – Romania Under-21s – Sep 10
• Ryan Fraser – Scotland – Sep 6 + 9
• Gavin Kilkenny – Republic of Ireland Under-21s – Sep 6 + 10
• Joshua King – Norway – Sep 5 + 8
• Jefferson Lerma – Colombia – Sep 7 + 11
• Chris Mepham – Wales – Sep 6 + 9
• Aaron Ramsdale – England Under-21s – Sep 6 + 9
• Mark Travers – Republic of Ireland – Sep 5 + 10
• Callum Wilson – England – Sep 7 + 10
• Harry Wilson – Wales – Sep 6 + 9

Brighton and Hove Albion

• Leon Balogun – Nigeria – Sep 10
• Shane Duffy – Republic of Ireland – Sep 5 + 10
• Alireza Jahanbakhsh – Iran – Sep 10
• Aaron Mooy – Australia – Sep 10
• Davy Pröpper – Netherlands – Sep 6 + 9
• Mat Ryan – Australia – Sep 10
• Leandro Trossard – Belgium – Sep 6 + 9

Burnley

• Jeff Hendrick – Republic of Ireland – Sep 5 + 10
• Kevin Long – Republic of Ireland – Sep 5 + 10
• Dwight McNeil – England Under-21s – Sep 6 + 9
• Bailey Peacock-Farrell – Northern Ireland – Sep 5 + 9
• Nick Pope – England – Sep 7 + 10

Chelsea

• Kepa Arrizabalaga – Spain – Sep 5 + 8
• Ross Barkley – England – Sep 7 + 10
• Michy Batshuayi – Belgium – Sep 6 + 9
• Andreas Christensen – Denmark – Sep 5 + 8
• Olivier Giroud – France – Sep 7 + 10
• Jorginho – Italy – Sep 5 + 8
• Mason Mount – England – Sep 7 + 10
• Emerson Palmieri – Italy – Sep 5 + 8
• Christian Pulisic – USA – Sep 6 + 10
• Kurt Zouma – France – Sep 7 + 10

Crystal Palace

• Christian Benteke – Belgium – Sep 6 + 9
• Wayne Hennessey – Wales – Sep 6 + 9
• Luka Milivojevic – Serbia – Sep 7 + 10
• Patrick van Aanholt – Netherlands – Sep 6 + 9
• Wilfried Zaha – Ivory Coast – Sep 6 + 10

Everton

• Seamus Coleman – Republic of Ireland – Sep 5 + 10
• Tom Davies – England Under-21s – Sep 6 + 9
• Lucas Digne – France – Sep 7 + 10
• Lewis Gibson – England Under-20s – Sep 5 + 9
• Alex Iwobi – Nigeria – Sep 10
• Michael Keane – England – Sep 7 + 10
• Yerry Mina – Colombia – Sep 7 + 11
• Jordan Pickford – England – Sep 7 + 10
• Richarlison – Brazil – Sep 6 + 10
• Gylfi Sigurdsson – Iceland – Sep 7 + 10
• Cenk Tosun – Turkey – Sep 7 + 10

Leicester City

• Ben Chilwell – England – Sep 7 + 10
• Jonny Evans – Northern Ireland – Sep 5 + 9
• Kelechi Iheanacho – Nigeria – Sep 10
• James Justin – England Under-21s – Sep 6 + 9
• James Maddison – England – Sep 7 + 10
• Dennis Praet – Belgium – Sep 6 + 9
• Kasper Schmeichel – Denmark – Sep 5 + 8
• Çaglar Söyüncü – Turkey – Sep 7 + 10
• Youri Tielemans – Belgium – Sep 6 + 9
• Danny Ward – Wales – Sep 6 + 9

Liverpool

• Trent Alexander-Arnold – England – Sep 7 + 10
• Rhian Brewster – England Under-21s – Sep 6 + 9
• Fabinho – Brazil – Sep 6 + 10
• Roberto Firmino – Brazil – Sep 6 + 10
• Joe Gomez – England – Sep 7 + 10
• Jordan Henderson – England – Sep 7 + 10
• Caoimhin Kelleher – Republic of Ireland Under-21s – Sep 6 + 10
• Dejan Lovren – Croatia – Sep 6 + 9
• Divock Origi – Belgium – Sep 6 + 9
• Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – England – Sep 7 + 10
• Andrew Robertson – Scotland – Sep 6 + 9
• Virgil van Dijk – Netherlands – Sep 6 + 9
• Georginio Wijnaldum – Netherlands – Sep 6 + 9

Manchester City

• Claudio Bravo – Chile – Sep 5 + 10
• João Cancelo – Portugal – Sep 7 + 10
• Kevin De Bruyne – Belgium – Sep 6 + 9
• Ederson – Brazil – Sep 6 + 10
• Phil Foden – England Under-21s – Sep 6 + 9
• Ilkay Gündogan – Germany – Sep 6 + 9
• Riyad Mahrez – Algeria – Sep 9
• Nicolas Otamendi – Argentina – Sep 5 + 10
• Rodri – Spain – Sep 5 + 8
• Bernardo Silva – Portugal – Sep 7 + 10
• Raheem Sterling – England – Sep 7 + 10
• Oleksandr Zinchenko – Ukraine – Sep 7 + 10

Manchester United

• Tahith Chong – Netherlands Under-21s – Sep 10
• David de Gea – Spain – Sep 5 + 8
• Angel Gomes – England Under-20s – Sep 5 + 9
• Mason Greenwood – England Under-21s – Sep 6 + 9
• Daniel James – Wales – Sep 6 + 9
• Victor Lindelöf – Sweden – Sep 5 + 8
• Jesse Lingard – England – Sep 7 + 10
• Harry Maguire – England – Sep 7 + 10
• Nemanja Matic – Serbia – Sep 7 + 10
• Scott McTominay – Scotland – Sep 6 + 9
• Marcus Rashford – England – Sep 7 + 10
• Marcos Rojo – Argentina – Sep 5 + 10

Newcastle United

• Ciaran Clark – Republic of Ireland – Standby
• Martin Dúbravka – Slovakia – Sep 6 + 9
• Emil Krafth – Sweden – Sep 5 + 8
• Fabian Schär – Switzerland – Sep 5 + 8

Norwich City

• Max Aarons – England Under-21s – Sep 6 + 9
• Todd Cantwell – England Under-21s – Sep 6 + 9
• Ben Godfrey – England Under-21s – Sep 6 + 9
• Jamal Lewis – Northern Ireland – Sep 5 + 9
• Michael McGovern – Northern Ireland – Sep 5 + 9
• Kenny McLean – Scotland – Sep 6 + 9
• Teemu Pukki – Finland – Sep 5 + 8

Sheffield United

• Muhamed Bešić – Bosnia & Herzegovina – Sep 5 + 8
• John Egan – Republic of Ireland – Sep 5 + 10
• Oli McBurnie – Scotland – Sep 6 + 9
• David McGoldrick – Republic of Ireland – Sep 5 + 10
• Callum Robinson – Republic of Ireland – Sep 5 + 10
• Enda Stevens – Republic of Ireland – Sep 5 + 10

Southampton

• Stuart Armstrong – Scotland – Sep 6 + 9
• Jan Bednarek – Poland – Sep 6 + 9
• Sofiane Boufal – Morocco – Sep 6 + 10
• Pierre-Emile Højbjerg – Denmark – Sep 5 + 8
• Maya Yoshida – Japan – Sep 5 + 10

Tottenham Hotspur

• Toby Alderweireld – Belgium – Sep 6 + 9
• Serge Aurier – Ivory Coast – Sep 6 + 10
• Ben Davies – Wales – Sep 6 + 9
• Christian Eriksen – Denmark – Sep 5 + 8
• Son Heung-min – South Korea – Sep 5 + 10
• Harry Kane – England – Sep 7 + 10
• Hugo Lloris – France – Sep 7 + 10
• Giovani Lo Celso – Argentina – Sep 5 + 10
• Troy Parrott – Republic of Ireland Under-21s – Sep 6 + 10
• Danny Rose – England – Sep 7 + 10
• Davinson Sánchez – Colombia – Sep 7 + 11
• Moussa Sissoko – France – Sep 7 + 10
• Oliver Skipp – England Under-21s – Sep 6 + 9
• Jan Vertonghen – Belgium – Sep 6 + 9
• Victor Wanyama – Kenya – Sep 7
• Harry Winks – England – Sep 7 + 10

Watford

• Craig Cathcart – Northern Ireland – Sep 5 + 9
• Adrian Mariappa – Jamaica – Sep 6 + 9
• Roberto Pereyra – Argentina – Sep 5 + 10

West Ham United

• Albian Ajeti – Switzerland – Sep 5 + 8
• Fabian Balbuena – Paraguay – Sep 5 + 10
• Lukasz Fabianski – Poland – Sep 6 + 9
• Manuel Lanzini – Argentina – Sep 5 + 10
• Declan Rice – England – Sep 7 + 10
• Robert Snodgrass – Scotland – Sep 6 + 9
• Andriy Yarmolenko – Ukraine – Sep 7 + 10

Wolverhampton Wanderers

• Willy Boly – Ivory Coast – Sep 6 + 10
• Leander Dendoncker – Belgium – Sep 6 + 9
• Morgan Gibbs-White – England Under-21s – Sep 6 + 9
• Raúl Jiménez – Mexico – Sep 6 + 10
• Diogo Jota – Portugal – Sep 7 + 10
• João Moutinho – Portugal – Sep 7 + 10
• Pedro Neto – Portugal Under-21s – Sep 5 + 10
• Rúben Neves – Portugal – Sep 7 + 10
• Rui Patrício – Portugal – Sep 7 + 10
• Romain Saïss – Morocco – Sep 6 + 10
• Rúben Vinagre – Portugal Under-21s – Sep 5 + 10