Premier League football returns after the international break with several key stories building over the past three weeks. The most notable is that Manchester City have been found guilty of 115 charges ranging from lack of co-operation with the investigation to breaking financial and sustainability rules between 2009 and 2018; the eight-times league champions have lodged an appeal that is due to be heard at an unknown later date.

Fantasy managers have numerous decisions to make as well, with several important assets suffering injuries during the recent international window. This provides a strong chance to use the Wildcard chip, so here are a few names that you should consider for the coming period.

Defenders

James Tarkowski (Everton, £6.2 million v Hull City, Sunday)

England veteran Tarkowski is one of the highest-scoring players this Fantasy season with 43 points, second only to creative Brighton veteran Pascal Gross. The tall centre back has gained seven bonus points in addition to two goal contributions (one goal and one assist), three clean sheets and six defensive contribution points. The Tigers are starting to open up in recent weeks, conceding all of their four goals in the last two rounds.

David Affengruber (Fulham, £4.5m v Ipswich, Saturday)

Fulham have the luxury of coming right out of the international break to face all three promoted clubs in succession, starting with Ipswich this weekend. Consecutive draws before the break against Liverpool and Manchester United suggest their defence is starting to gel and the Austrian has a chance to add to defensive contribution points earned in his first two starts. Clean sheets are also in the works, with manager Alvaro Arbeloa preferring his new recruit over veteran Joachim Andersen.

Jurrien Timber (Arsenal, £6.5m v Leeds United, Saturday)

Timber played twice for Holland in this past international window as he continues his return to full sharpness from a groin injury suffered before the World Cup. The full back is anticipated to take charge of the right side while deputy Ben White is injured; matches against Leeds, Nottingham Forest and Everton in the coming weeks provide scoring opportunities.

Midfielders

Kevin Schade (Brentford, £6.1m v Aston Villa, Saturday)

Brentford talisman Schade made his seventh appearance for Germany against Greece in the last international window and has four goal involvements in the Bees’ last two games. He will start and should add to his tally of three goals at Villa, who have lost their first two home games.

Pascal Gross (Brighton, £5.9m v Sunderland, Saturday)

German maestro Gross has the most Fantasy points of any player and at 35 has aged like a fine wine this campaign under Fabian Hurzeler, for whom he is the catalyst for success and their best start to a top-flight season. He is the only player to have three double-digit point tallies so far, so he is now a mainstay and the most favoured player with nearly 900,000 managers adding him to their squad this round.

Marcus Tavernier (Bournemouth, £6.1m v Chelsea, Saturday)

Bournemouth's chief creator is proving the key cog to their attack, scoring three times and creating three further big chances. The Cherries have scored only six goes so far, but the Blues have conceded the most goals in the league (12), so Tavernier should continue his attacking returns.

Forwards

Charalampos Kostoulas (Brighton, £5.6m v Sunderland, Saturday)

Kostoulas has now made four total showings for his country Greece after featuring twice in the Nations League over the past three weeks. In the Premier League his five goal contributions are the second-most by a forward behind Joao Pedro. Sunderland and Crystal Palace coming up should result in the forward continuing his rapid ascent.

Gonzalo Garcia (Fulham, £6m v Ipswich, Saturday)

Garcia may have scored only one goal so far, but should have three goal involvements so he has not been effective with his final action. However, fixtures against the promoted teams should help the Spaniard find that decisive streak.

Wilson Isidor (Sunderland, £5.5m v Brighton, Saturday)

Isidor comes off an immaculate international window in which he scored three times and provided an assist in four outings for Haiti. He may have just one goal and one assist this club season but favourable fixtures and a visit to promoted Coventry should boost his figures.

The Verdict

Several key figures such as Cody Gakpo and Brian Brobbey may be out through injury, so Fantasy managers may go slightly cheaper in their quest for success this period.

A few premium names, such as Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes, are also struggling for consistency and output, so less heralded players could pave the way for a balanced approach to the Wildcard round.