Eddie Howe has spoken to the media this morning, providing an update on injuries and availability ahead of Sunday’s game against Nottingham Forest.
The manager has been discussing the fitness of Sven Botman and Joelinton, both of whom missed our 4-0 defeat at Manchester City last weekend owing to knee problems, as well as Dan Burn and Jamaal Lascelles.
Here’s what Howe had to say about each, including some good and bad news about their injury status as they approach a critical stretch of games.
Botman and Joelinton updates
Eddie Howe has revealed that Sven Botman (knee) is expected to miss this weekend’s game against Nottingham Forest.
The boss says he is “making good progress,” but has not recovered as rapidly as we had planned and is not yet ready to return.
Howe said: “Not this weekend, barring a miraculous recovery. We will see how things stand for next week. He is making good progress, just not as quickly as we wanted. He’s on track, just not quite ready.”
“This is a totally different injury to the knee (not linked to his ACL last year). As soon as he’s ready and fit, we’ll look to get him back.”
Joelinton is doing “really well” and “pushing” to return, but it looks like he’ll also miss out on Sunday, with Howe conscious of bringing him back at the “right time.”
Howe said: “He (Joelinton) is doing really well. Pushing, as Joe always does. We just need to make sure we introduce him at the right time.”
Burn boost, Lascelles delay
Keith Downie of Sky Sports also inquired for an update on Dan Burn’s fitness this morning, after the centre-back had a groin injury before making a quick recovery against Manchester City last weekend.
However, there has been no recurrence of the injury, and he has trained normally this week, according to Howe.
That’s a comfort given Botman’s unavailability, as Burn is likely to partner Fabian Schar in defence against Forest striker Chris Wood.
As for Jamaal Lascelles, Howe added that our former captain is in a “pretty good place” and hopes to return “towards the end of the season” after working some “extraordinary hours” behind the scenes on his comeback from an ACL injury.
