The media may be focussed on the sheer number of injuries that Newcastle United have suffered in recent weeks, but AFC Bournemouth have been in an injury crisis for almost a year.
At some stage, this season AFC Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe has been without his first-choice back four with Adam Smith, Steve Cook, Nathan Ake and Charlie Daniels all out injured.
On Saturday it was the turn of England Under 21’s goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, who was forced to miss the game through an injury that he had suffered late in the week.
AFC Bournemouth captain Simon Francis returned from a long-term knee injury to offer an option at both right-back and centre half, only to be sidelined again over the Christmas period from an impact injury. Summer signing Jack Stacey, stepped in at right-back only to suffer a hamstring injury. Left-back Diego Rico has been a much-improved performer this season in the absence of Daniels, but his recent suspension left the Cherries without a recognised left-back, with Lloyd Kelly yet to make an appearance in the Premier League since his £13million summer move from Bristol City.
The one consistent appearance maker in recent months had been Wales international Chris Mepham, who had grown with every performance in recent weeks, but he has now been hit with injury and has already undergone surgery.
Mepham suffered the injury during the 4-0 FA Cup victory over Championship side Luton Town. He, however, played on after suffering the injury.
Absolutely incredible. Probably @afcbournemouth’s most consistent performer recently is out injured for 12 weeks.
Cursing the luck of poor Chris Mepham. In a huge year for him too with @EURO2020 🏴 @c_meps
— Kris Temple (@kristemple) January 10, 2020
It is expected that Mepham will be sidelined for around three months.
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Your say…
NWCherries98 wrote…
It’s all very amateurish…Steve Cook was on the bench, why didn’t he come on at the time? Shouldn’t be up to the players whether they play on, it should be up to the medical professionals. And if he was told he could carry on, what else is there to say? – Join the conversation, click here.
