BOURNEMOUTH star Hamed Traore is recovering after being hospitalised with malaria.
Manager Andoni Iraola confirmed the news and said the midfielder will be out for “some time” while he recovers.
Iraola said: “Right now, he is recovering much better.
“The past few weeks have been a tough situation for him personally and from a sporting perspective, he will be out for some time.”
Bournemouth’s official X account joined Iraola in wishing the midfielder a speedy recovery.
The club posted: “We’re wishing you a quick recovery, Junior.”
READ MORE PREMIER LEAGUE NEWS
The 23-year-old initially joined the Cherries on loan at the beginning of 2023 from Serie A side Sassuolo before making the move permanent in May.
The midfielder made seven appearances for Bournemouth last season but suffered a foot injury which ruled him out for long spells.
He has struggled for game time this season due to form, but it is now clear that this was because he was dealing with the effects of the disease.
Malaria is a disease spread by the bite of infected mosquitoes.
Most read in Football
According to talkSPORT, the midfielder contracted the illness in November during the international break.
He made two World Cup qualifying appearances for the Ivory Coast during that time, scoring two goals in a 9-0 win over Seychelles and featuring in their 2-0 victory against The Gambia.
He has not been called up by the Ivory Coast for the African Cup of Nations due to struggling with the effects of the illness.
The attacking midfielder has made six appearances this season, with three each coming in the Premier League and Carabao Cup.
His most recent appearance came at home in a 2-1 defeat against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup prior to going on international duty.
Traore’s most recent Premier League match was back in September when Bournemouth lost to Brighton 3-1.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk