11 November 2023 , 05:30
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Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola has admitted that the club is unsure about how long midfielder Alex Scott will be out of action due to his latest knee problem.
The 20-year-old was forced off during last weekend's 6-1 defeat at Manchester City. Scott had only recently returned from a problem on the other knee, which delayed his debut following a £25million summer move from Bristol City, before he started the last four games.
On Thursday evening, Scott posted on social media pictures of him hobbling off at City, which were captioned "gutted" but also to "trust the process".
Iraola confirmed the midfielder was set for another extended spell of rehabilitation. "He has an MCL (medial collateral ligament) sprain. It is a grade two injury and it is tough. It is on the other knee than the one he had an injury with earlier in the season."
"This is what the doctors have told us, so I don't have an exact date. How long he will be out for is difficult for us to say at this stage."
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Despite the setback for Scott, Bournemouth had positive news on the return of club captain Neto, who should be involved for Saturday's 5.30pm kick-off against Newcastle.
The Brazilian goalkeeper missed the past three games because of an ankle injury, with Andrei Radu stepping in. Midfielder Lewis Cook is also available again after completing a three-match ban.
Iraola expressed his relief at Cook's recovery, saying: "It is good we will recover Lew (Cook), because especially in the middle, we are short of players. He can be a good addition and a help for the team."
Newcastle also have several injured players, including striker Callum Wilson. Despite this, Iraola expects a tough match, stating: "They are doing really well," and "We expect the best Newcastle because if we are thinking otherwise, we are starting in the wrong spot."
After leaving Bournemouth, Toon boss Eddie Howe spent some time in Spain with Iraola. Reflecting on this, the Spaniard said: "It is what normally all the managers do whenever you have time, you try to see other things or other teams or their trainings. But normally while you are in the (same) competition, there is normally not much contact."
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