Boost for Bournemouth as player ‘released to return’ – Aiming for comebask as soon as possible
Bournemouth have been handed an injury boost as defender Julian Araujo has been granted permission to return to training
That’s according to the Mexican edition of AS, who report that the defender is ‘aiming for a comeback’ after several months out of action.
Araujo has been missing for three months, having picked up a hamstring which has limited him to 355 minutes for Bournemouth this season after arriving in the summer transfer window.
He underwent surgery on a hamstring injury in the middle of November and has been absent since, adding to Bournemouth’s long injury list in recent months.
He has not been ‘released to return’ to training by the club’s medical team, though, and it is hoped that he can make a quick return to the Bournemouth first team and bolster Andoni Iraola’s options.
He’s unlikely to be ready in time for their clash with Wolves on Saturday, although AS do say that a few minutes at the end of the game could be all that is needed to begin his reintegration into the squadEither way, his return will be a timely boost for the end of the season as Bournemouth look to finish the season strongly.
Bournemouth injury news: Andoni Iraola provides Ryan Christie fitness update ahead of Wolves FA Cup clash
The Cherries are looking forward to competing in the fifth round after getting the better of West Bromwich Albion and Everton in the first two rounds of their FA Cup journey.
Bournemouth are now targeting a place in the quarter-finals, but if they are to reach the last eight then they may have to do it without the services of Christie.
The Scotland international was forced off in the 26th minute of Tuesday’s 2-1 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium.
Iraola provides Christie update
Speaking to the media on Friday, Iraola explained that Christie will struggle to prove his fitness in time for the FA Cup fixture.
“I think it’s going to be very difficult for Christie to be available,” Iraola told reporters. “He hasn’t had an acute injury but it’s something that he’s dealing with.
“I don’t want to rule him out because we still have one day and we will try until the end, but I think it’s going to be difficult.”
Christie’s potential absence will come as a blow to Bournemouth given the fact he has started 26 of his 28 competitive appearances this season, contributing two goals and three assists.
Iraola reveals fresh Smith setback
The Bournemouth head coach also revealed that experienced full-back Adam Smith has picked up a calf problem in his recovery from an initial hamstring injury.
“I think it’s still not clear,” Iraola said. “He’s having some issues with the calf in his recovery; it was a hamstring injury but now he’s having issues in his calf. He’s still not training with us, no.”
In more positive news, Iraola revealed that defender Julian Araujo has been cleared to return to training following a spell on the sidelines.
However, it seems likely that Saturday’s cup clash will come too soon for the Mexico international, who joined Bournemouth from Barcelona last summer.
