AFC Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola has revealed that Cherries top scorer Justin Kluivert is a doubt ahead of Wednesday’s game against the Blues at the Vitality Stadium.

Dutch international Kluivert, 25, who has netted 12 times in the Premier League this season, suffered knocks in Sunday’s 2-1 FA Cup defeat to Manchester City.

“We are still not sure on injuries because we still have to train as it’s less than 48 hours since the end of the game against City,” Iraola said. “Some players finished with some normal issues and we expect them to be ready.

“Justin is the one we are more in doubt with. He finished with some issues and we have to check today to see if he’s ready to go again.

“With the others, there are normal things after games but hoping everyone else could be ready for tomorrow.”

Bournemouth are already without Enes Unal (knee), Marcus Tavernier (ankle) and Luis Sinisterra (hamstring), but Julian Araujo and Marcos Senesi are both back in training.

Highly rated defenders Dean Huijsen and Milos Kerkez are back after suspensions due to their yellow card tallies.

“It’s very good to have Huijsen and Kerkez back, they are in a good moment of form,” the Spanish boss added.

“We had Marcos Senesi start as well and Julian Araujo is nearly set to join the squad so there are recoveries.”

Having exited the FA Cup on Sunday, Iraola is taking a very traditional approach to the rest of the season.

“Now we have to focus on the league,” he said. “We still have nine more chances to add points. Especially this one at home, we need a strong game and go back to winning ways.

“For me, it doesn’t change the approach, it’s game by game. Let’s see how we face Ipswich. We haven’t got a lot of time but we focus in on them.

“They’re a team that we respect a lot, it cost us a lot to beat them there, we did it in the last second almost and we have to be very good if we want to beat them tomorrow, no doubt.

“I think Ipswich play with a very clear philosophy. I think both teams expect what is going to happen in the game, how Bournemouth is going to play, we expect how Ipswich are going to play.

“I think it is going to be very difficult for both teams to counteract those challenges because they do it very well.

“They signed more players in the market which have been good additions and they have especially attacking players that, for me, are very dangerous, can make the difference, [Liam] Delap, [Omari] Hutchinson, now they’ve added [Jaden] Philogene, players who have the quality to make the difference.

“I know it’s going to be very difficult and I hope we’re at the level because I’m sure they’ve been preparing for this game for 20 days without a game, so they will have analysed us very well and it’s going to be demanding, I have no doubts.”

TWTD

cornishnick added 15:03 - Apr 1 If you're reading this Mr Iraola (as no doubt you are) surely it's not worth risking Kluivert is it? Please? Save him for the trip to West Ham. Much tougher game.
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Leejames99 added 15:25 - Apr 1 Tomorrow's result will come down to selection, I fear changes again in starting 11, same formation and Mck will stick with the process against a strong team 'No doubt about it', can't wait to read about fine margins, tough league, and the journey from league 1, surely the journey ends in the Prem League, time to show some pride and play football with a team that can defend and attack in unison but I'm sure it will be another mish mash selection. If we play again like we have all year with the big gaps left either side its literally a tap and go for Bournemouth, Kluivert or not. A win or even a draw is a must to go into Wolves game with momentum, especially if West Ham win, but whoever we play if Davis is in and keeps going forward and Morsy in midfield we are doomed, I'm happy to be wrong but a pub league team would know how to play against Town right now. "Right lads just wait for Ipswich to press bring them in, forwards go central to bring right back in to centre, left back will be in our half, take the ball off Morsy, look either side and pick a gap, wingers just out pace in the space, forwards get in box ready, cross low, goal, we can do that all game, Davis is never subbed, let's go all out tonight and give the fans something to sing about after cup defeat". Worst thing is we have the wingers to play the same way but they have to cover the gaps. Hope I'm not right, dreading the team sheet

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Alphawhiskey added 15:46 - Apr 1 We need to go all out now, nothing to lose. We needs wins, not draws. Attack attack attack!!
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Gforce added 16:06 - Apr 1 Iraola getting his excuses in early,us having 20 days to prepare without a game, just in case the miracle happens and we win.
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Cadiar added 13:41 - Apr 2 Do Bournemouth actually have any British players? Liverpool recently played with no English player & most Prem teams have far more overseas players than us. Perhaps that is where we have gone wrong in recruitment & in my view Cajuste has been our top player, Swedish/American. It's a shame top quality home grown players are at a premium. Hopefully Kluivert doesn't play, a real star this season.

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