Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola has delivered a significant blow to the club's midfield options, revealing that Lewis Cook's hamstring injury is more severe than initially anticipated. The midfielder is now expected to be sidelined until after the March international break, a development that could impact the team's performance in crucial upcoming fixtures.
Injury Updates from the Cherries Camp
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Iraola provided detailed updates on several players. In addition to Cook's extended absence, Ben Gannon-Doak is also targeting a return around the same timeframe. The squad faces further challenges with Justin Kluivert and Julio Soler confirmed as unavailable for selection.
Opposition Team News
Meanwhile, Regis Le Bris, manager of Bournemouth's upcoming opponents, offered insights into his team's fitness situation. Following Granit Xhaka's return from injury as a substitute against Fulham last weekend, Le Bris indicated that the captain "might" start in the forthcoming match.
However, Le Bris's squad has its own injury concerns. Romaine Mundle and Jocelin Ta Bi are expected to be sidelined for "a few weeks or months" due to injuries sustained during the Fulham encounter. Nordi Mukiele and Brian Brobbey will undergo assessments to determine their availability.
For Dennis Cirkin, this game has come too soon, with the defender anticipated to return to action in approximately 10 days. In more positive news, Bertrand Traore has resumed full training, offering a potential boost to the squad's attacking options.
The extended absence of Lewis Cook, a key figure in Bournemouth's midfield, represents a significant setback for Iraola's tactical plans. The manager will need to explore alternative combinations and strategies to compensate for the loss of Cook's experience and on-field contributions during this critical period of the season.
