BOURNEMOUTH’S injury crisis has deepened with the hammer blow that David Brooks has undergone another ankle operation and will be out for at least three months.
The 22-year-old Welshman – nominated for PFA Young Player of the Year last season – has been sidelined since damaging ligaments during a pre-season game at Brentford.
David Brooks could be out until March, handing Bournemouth another injury blowCredit: PA:Press Association
Brooks had an op in the summer and was only expected to be out for 12 weeks.
But that did not solve the problem and the winger has now gone under the knife again at the Aspetar private hospital in Doha, Qatar.
The Cherries are cautiously optimistic the ex-Sheffield United star will return to action by March rather than missing the entire campaign.
Yet it is still devastating news for Eddie Howe’s struggling side who have no fewer than NINE first-team players currently on the treatment table.
Dutch centre-half Nathan Ake had a scan today in London on a hamstring injury that forced him off in Saturday’s 3-0 home defeat to Liverpool.
Bournemouth are yet to receive the results but are bracing themselves for bad news.
Striker Callum Wilson also came off with a hamstring complaint against Jurgen Klopp’s table-toppers but it is not thought to be a serious problem.
Centre-back Steve Cook will undergo an operation on a broken wrist tomorrow while another lengthy lay-off is expected for full-back Adam Smith due to an ankle injury.
Striker Josh King (hamstring), defender Lloyd Kelly (thigh) and left-back Charlie Daniels (dislocated knee) all remain out.
There is some good news with long-term absentee Junior Stanislas involved in training every other day as he is brought back slowly from a severe knee injury.
Howe has seen his side slip into a relegation battle after losing their last FIVE Premier League games as the injury list has taken its toll.
Following the latest defeat at the weekend, the 42-year-old said: “I don’t want to make the excuse of injuries but you just look at the number we have and the quality of players that we are missing.
“It’s the biggest challenge we’ve ever faced.”
Bournemouth had the worst injury list in the Premier League last term as well.
An investigation into why they have such terrible crock problems is ongoing.
FC Salzburg striker Erling Braut Haaland is not distracted by transfer talk ahead of Liverpool clash
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
