Rees-Dottin pleased to make return before end of campaign

The exciting attacker made his return to action following injury, coming off the bench for the latter stages of the AFC Bournemouth development squad’s 2-0 defeat to Sheffield United at Vitality Stadium on Friday.

Rees-Dottin had been out of action for around 10 weeks with an ankle problem. His previous game came for James Lowy’s under-18s in the FA Youth Cup fifth round against Tottenham.

With a small taste of match action on his return, Rees-Dottin is eager to impress in the final stages of the campaign.

He told afcb.co.uk: “It’s always an unreal experience playing at Vitality. It was my first game back in 10 weeks, so it was a good way to come back.

“The physio team have done amazing to get me back in such quick time.

“I didn’t want to rush anything but I think I still have something to prove to myself this season.

“I still have all my abilities to showcase, whether it was in the development squad or under-18s. It was definitely important for me to get back.”

Rees-Dottin has been with the Cherries since under-12 level, having worked his way through the ranks at the club.

Asked what it had been like to sit out the past two-and-a-half months, he replied: “It’s been rough. I want to cheer on the boys and support them to do the best they can but it’s always going to be disappointing when you’re not out there.

“It’s a hard one to take but it was just being patient to wait for the right opportunity.

“There’s a lot of minutes to pick up in the season still. With the development squad pushing for the play-offs and the under-18s still pushing for the top half of the table.

“I just want to do the best I can for either team and get minutes where I can.”

The Cherries under-18s are back in action at home against Millwall on Wednesday, while the development squad’s next game comes at Birmingham on Monday, April 29^th.