Get ready for the 2016-17 season with this carefully scouted list of Fantasy Premier League bargain defenders, here to propel you to fantasy football success.

Recommendations include players from Everton, Middlesbrough, Sunderland, Burnley and West Brom.

Gareth McAuley, West Brom – £4.5m

A danger from set pieces, as he showed by scoring for Northern Ireland’s against Ukraine at Euro 2016, and under Tony Pulis he’ll get clean sheets.

Team-mate Craig Dawson scores even more frequently but costs slightly more at £5m, while regular assists provider Chris Brunt – also £5m – is listed as a defender this season.

Previously down as a midfielder, Brunt is currently injured but is expected back a few weeks into the new campaign.

George Friend, Middlesbrough – £4.5m

Boro’s attacking left-back made the Championship Team of the Year two seasons running and will now enjoy back-up from former Barcelona goalkeeper Víctor Valdés.

Pape Souaré, Crystal Palace – £4.5m

Alan Pardew sides tend to be streaky, so if Palace start stringing results together then it could be wise to lump on their Senegalese left-back.

Timothy Fosu-Mensah, Man Utd – £4.5m

He might not be a starter straight away, but youngster Fosu-Mensah is thought to figure in José Mourinho’s plans.

Keep an eye also on £5.5m Antonio Valencia, who was a bonus points magnet after returning from injury at the end of last season.

Michael Keane, Burnley – £5m

The former Man Utd youngster was pivotal to his side’s Championship title-winning success last season, scoring five goals along the way.

Patrick van Aanholt, Sunderland – £5m

Underlined his attacking potency by scoring in four consecutive matches towards the end of last season, and should keep clean sheets under David Moyes.

Charlie Daniels, Bournemouth – £5m

Three goals and five assists last season put him amongst the top ten points-scoring defenders in the FPL.

Wes Morgan/Robert Huth, Leicester – £5m

They may have won the title but you wouldn’t know it from the modest pricing.

A word of warning: Huth is suspended for the opening game of the season.

Ashley Williams, Swansea – £5m

A bonus points machine – and, as shown against Belgium and Arsenal this year, a set piece threat in big games.

At just £4.5m, his team-mate Federico Fernández is also worthy of your consideration.

Leighton Baines, Everton – £5.5m

Due to injuries, his price is well below what it has been in recent seasons – but if he’s back on penalties and a starter in a Ronald Koeman defence, he could be the bargain of the year.

At £5m apiece, John Stones and set piece danger Ramiro Funes Mori are also worth a look.