Andoni Iraola gives update on Tyler Adams, Justin Kluivert and Junior Kroupi before AFC Bournemouth face Arsenal
AFC Bournemouth travel to the Emirates Stadium on Saturday to take on Arsenal in a tough Premier League test.
Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola faces the league leaders at a time when his squad is beginning to look healthier after a challenging spell with injuries.
Iraola has been without several key players in recent months, but the March international break came at a good time for rest and recovery within the squad.
Injury situation improving for Bournemouth
There is encouraging news for Bournemouth, with a number of players returning to fitness ahead of the weekend.
“The only injured players we have right now are Justin Kluivert and Lewis Cook,” Iraola said at Friday’s press conference.
“Lewis Cook is maybe taking more time than we expected and he’s not there yet but I think everyone else is available.
“There are some cases, especially Julio Soler, who is not ready to play a lot of minutes, but is training with the group and I think he is recovered.
“In the cases of Tyler [Adams], of Ben Gannon-Doak, they have used this break to put themselves in contention and I think we are in a good place. I will even have to make difficult decisions because we will be more than 20 ready to travel.
Álex Jiménez and Junior Kroupi both picked up minor issues while on international duty but have since recovered and are expected to be available.
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“Junior Kroupi and Álex Jiménez came from their international teams with some niggles and it was more precautionary. They have had some rest, also with us, and fully recovered for tomorrow.”
There was also a more detailed update on Justin Kluivert, who continues his recovery but remains unavailable for now.
“Justin, I think, is doing a very good recovery,” Iraola said at the press conference. “He is on the time margins that we expected. Everything is going fine.
“But he’s in a rush because he wants to play before the season ends. He also wants to keep his options for the World Cup alive.”
“We have to give the time that the injury needs. I hope he can play before the season ends. It’s not going to be easy. He will have to progress as well as he’s doing, because he is doing very well.”
Tyler Adams aiming for strong season end before World Cup
Tyler Adams also provided an update on his condition after missing out on international duty with the United States men’s national team.
“I was here for the international break. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to go and catch up with the US team. I had to watch from afar but it was good to be here with the boys that stayed behind and get some good training in, I am feeling strong and ready to go,” Adams told Bournemouth’s official website.
“It also gave me a period of time to get stronger, get more fit and focus on the objectives with the boys here. The guys that stayed behind focused on training, focused on staying sharp, staying fit in preparation for a big game this weekend.
“I’m feeling consistent, I’m feeling strong now and I think it’s just important to finish the season strong.”
With several players returning and competition for places increasing, Iraola faces welcome selection dilemmas ahead of one of Bournemouth’s toughest fixtures of the season.