Matt Doherty became one of the best budget defender options for Fantasy Premier League managers as Antonio Conte deployed him as a wing-back on either side of the pitch.
The Irishman has been a revelation in recent weeks, so much so that he is the fourth-highest scoring player in FPL since Gameweek 26, only behind his teammates Son Heung-min, Harry Kane and Dejan Kulusevski.
However, his season is now over after he suffered a knee injury following a challenge by Matty Cash during the 4-0 victory against Aston Villa.
Doherty ruptured his medial collateral ligament (MCL) and although the 30-year-old tried to carry on after twice receiving treatment, he was eventually replaced by Sergio Reguilon.
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News of Doherty’s season-ending injury is a major blow for Tottenham’s top-four hopes and it is also bad news for the FPL managers who have brought him into their teams.
Here are five possible replacements for Doherty, including his likely replacement for Spurs:
Aymeric Laporte (Man City)
Aymeric Laporte has regained his starting position this season and been paired with John Stones since Ruben Dias suffered a hamstring injury during an FA Cup tie against Peterborough in March.
The Spain international has picked up 23 points in his last six starts and may continue to gain clean sheet points with City playing low-scoring Brighton, Watford and Leeds in their next three games.
Joao Cancelo (£7.0m) is the best defensive option from City’s ranks, but with Dias unavailable, Laporte is a close second.
Price: £5.8m Points: 130 Ownership: 9.8 per cent
James Justin (Leicester)
James Justin has recently returned after spending a year out due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury and is starting to re-establish himself in Brendan Rodgers’ starting XI.
Justin has played three consecutive 90 minutes in the Premier League and should see plenty more game time with the Foxes competing on two fronts.
Leicester have double gameweeks in 33, 36 and 37 which raises the appeal of their assets. And Justin could be in line to earn some clean sheet points with Leicester facing struggling Norwich and Watford in the coming weeks.
Price: £4.9m Points: 11 Ownership: 0.5 per cent
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Emerson Royal (Spurs)
The Brazilian is the most likely wing back to start for Tottenham as he occupies the right which now lacks the same competition as the left with Reguilon and Ryan Sessegnon both returning from injury.
Conte’s side has scored more than any side in the Premier League this calendar year and the wing-backs have been a key source to Spurs’ top four charge.
Spurs have a tricky double gameweek to come against Liverpool and Arsenal, but have reasonable fixtures before and after, which raises Royal’s prospects.
Price: £4.5m Points: 71 Ownership: 1.0 per cent
Fabian Schar (Newcastle)
Fabian Schar has been key to Newcastle’s good form that has seen them edge clear of the relegation zone and arguably possesses the biggest goal threat out of all centre-backs in the league.
Since Kieran Trippier’s injury, Schar has taken over free-kick duties, scoring one against Spurs and he was also on target during Newcastle’s 2-1 win against Brighton in Gameweek 28.
Schar is becoming increasingly popular in FPL with Newcastle set to play Leicester and Crystal Palace in Gameweek 33 and then Norwich the following week.
And once Newcastle’s fixtures get tougher, his low price tag means he can be reduced to a bench role while not hindering your starting eleven.
Price: £4.4m Points: 76 Ownership: 3.2 per cent
Reece James (Chelsea)
Reece James costs £1.4m more than Doherty and so a downgrade may be needed in another position to be able to sign him. It could be a move worth considering, though, given the Englishman’s output this season.
James recorded the most points from a defender in a single game this season with 21 in Chelsea’s 3-0 win against Newcastle after scoring two goals and keeping a clean sheet.
The Blues have two double gameweeks approaching including matches against Wolves and Leeds in Gameweek 36 and Manchester United and Leicester in 37.
Thiago Silva (£5.7m) or Marcos Alonso (£5.5m) are cheaper alternatives from Chelsea’s backline.
Price: £6.3m Points: 110 Ownership: 14.2 per cent
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