Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola has admitted that a late decision will be made on Justin Kluivert‘s availability for Monday’s Premier League clash with Fulham.
The Cherries will be desperate to return to winning ways after seeing their European hopes dented by a poor run of form.
Iraola’s side have taken just two points from their last six Premier League games since they recorded their most recent victory in an away match against Southampton on March 15.
As a result of that recent drop off in form, Bournemouth are sitting in 10th place and six points adrift of seventh spot with seven matches left to play.
Bournemouth have not been helped by the fact that one of their key attackers, Kluivert, has been forced to sit out the last two matches due to injury.
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Bournemouth to made late call on Kluivert
Iraola has now revealed that a late decision will be made on Kluivert’s availability, along with that of Marcus Tavernier and Luis Sinisterra.
“We still have three days until Monday night. We will try with Justin, with Tav, with Sini,” Iraola told reporters in Friday’s pre-match press conference.
“Probably from the three, Sini is the one who has less chance to arrive. We have to be careful with him, but we will try. We still have three days, but that’s our situation right now.”
Kluivert’s presence would give Bournemouth a huge boost if he can prove his fitness in time for Monday’s contest, having scored 13 goals and provided eight assists in 33 competitive appearances this season.
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Iraola explains Christie surgery decision
Ryan Christie is a definite absentee for the Fulham clash after it was recently confirmed that he had undergone surgery to resolve a persistent issue.
Iraola has now explained why the decision was made for Christie to have an operation that has brought his season to a premature end.
“Ryan Christie is out for the season,” Iraola said. “He needed surgery, and I think he has been pushing through pain all season.
“Now was the moment where his body told him ‘it’s enough, you cannot keep playing’. Now our aim is to recover well with him and have him ready to start pre-season well with the others. He is definitely not going to be able to play this season.”
Bournemouth are also without the services of forward Enes Unal, who sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury in January.
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