AFCB injury crisis shows no sign of slowing

According to a report in the Bournemouth Echo, the Cherries have been hit with another two injuries before the start of the season. David Brooks has suffered ankle damage from the match against Brentford when he was subbed on 71 minutes and Lloyd Kelly is said to be out after suffering ankle ligament damage in training. Where does this leave AFCB?

Brooks out for three months!

David Brooks is likely to undergo surgery which could keep him out for more than two months, while Kelly is expected to be out for a shorter period, but will miss the opener against Sheffield United. Eddie Howe will be reshuffling his player options ahead of the first match now with long-term injuries to Simon Francis, Junior Stanislas, Lewis Cook, Dan Gosling and Charlie Daniels. Steve Cook has also not played in pre-season yet.

It makes a mess of AFCB's preparations but Howe will have to come up with a plan to fill the holes. It is probably good news for Jack Stacey who may get to play in his preferred position of right-back while Adam Smith could be shifted to the left-back position as he was for several games last season. The right wing position is now most likely to be filled by Jordan Ibe who at least has looked sharp in pre-season, but wouldn't have expected to be in front of David Brooks. How far off Charlie Daniels is from being ready we may find out this weekend.

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In some ways it might be lucky that these first two games are against two newly-promoted sides but only if AFCB get the wins. If the injuries make it more of a level playing field then it could be a tough start with, who knows, more injuries, which would put extreme pressure on the players. Those like Harry Arter who might have expected a permanent move or a loan move may find that they options are cut short now with the problems that the mounting injuries are providing for selection. One player that won't be recalled is Brad Smith who has been able to continue his loan in the MLS with Seattle Sounders.

In other news, the Bournemouth Echo claims that AFCB are closing in on the signing of Dutchman Arnaut Danjuma of club Brugge rated at £13.7m and the Sun claims AFCB are preparing a £25m bid for Liverpool's Henry Wilson. AFCB may well have been forced in the last few day to consider Henry Wilson, knowing what we now do about David Brooks is out for so long.

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