If there was one area of the pitch that AFC Bournemouth supporters would be almost unanimous in stating was the squad’s current weakest area, it would be in defence.
Since the end of the promotion-winning 2021/22 campaign, four defenders have left the club. Ethan Laird, Gary Cahill, Nat Phillips and Leif Davis could, under different circumstances, have been the Cherries back four at any point during the second half of the Championship season and now all four are no longer on the south coast.
This leaves AFC Bournemouth head coach Scott Parker short of numbers and that was before an injury to captain Lloyd Kelly, who missed the friendlies with Braga and Bristol City.
Parker however has seen Ryan Fredericks join on a free transfer from West Ham United, but he too is injured having missed the same games as Kelly.
The 29-year-old, who signed a two-year contract at Dean Court earlier this month has suffered a calf injury.
Speaking about Fredericks to the Daily Echo, Parker said…
“He picked up a knock in Portugal, a calf issue. It’s not as bad as we maybe first thought, will probably be a couple of weeks.
“Big loss really because the early signs. You could see he gave us something which we need in the team in terms of his profile and what he can bring.
“Disappointing we’ve lost him but hopefully not too long and hopefully we will see him back.”
Regarding Kelly, he also told the Daily Echo…
“He’s got a slight niggle. He picked up a stomach issue, or top hip-flexor issue.
“I think it’s fair to say if it was a league game, would he have played? I think he would have, so it is very minor…”
“..We just cannot afford to risk Lloyd Kelly because he is really only one of three centre-halves – and James Hill is a young boy – in the building.
“We need to be really careful and delicate with that one.”
Your say…
KingKieffer wrote…
…injuries happen to all players, however, Fredericks has a history of this and we signed him anyway when there were better options out there. I said when he signed that he would hardly be available and would you believe it, he’s crocked after one pre-season game. If I can see this coming then don’t you think it’s worrying that our recruitment team couldn’t? – Join the conversation, click here.
