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First Team

Injury News: Iraola updates on squad ahead of West Ham

AFC Bournemouth head coach, Andoni Iraola, spoke to the media ahead of the opening Premier League game against West Ham United. 

The Cherries welcome David Moyes' side for a 3pm kick-off on Saturday 12th August as they look to start the new season on a high. 

Ahead of the fixture, Iraola provided an update on his squad and discussed those that would be out injured for the weekend. 

"For sure, the ones that have been injured will be out, so that's Lloyd Kelly, Marcus Tavernier, Ryan Fredericks and Alex Scott if you can include him," he said. 

"In some cases, we have to wait until today's training to make the position. We are not sure on some players. When injuries appear, coaches have to adapt things, we have to change things and we have to try players in different positions.

"We did that with Jaidon Anthony at right-back against Lorient, Marcos Senesi was also number six for some minutes. So we did this for some of pre-season games where we tried different things.

"The first few games might be a little bit like this, with new players coming in and some players injured. We have to adapt quickly to some situations." 

Iraola went on to discuss the signing of Scott, expanding on his injury and how long his time on the sidelines would be.

"It's a great signing for the club, the first impressions are really nice.

"For the start of the season, the first couple of months he'll be out. We have to take these weeks for him to settle in, for him to get to know more about the team and for him to see how he can help us in the season.

"He is a player of his age who had a fantastic season in the Championship last year and he can definitely help us." 

The head coach concluded by discussing another addition in the form of Max Aarons, who signed from Norwich City on Thursday to become the club's sixth summer signing. 

"I think for his age, he has already got a lot of Premier League games under his belt. He has been playing at this level and he has international experience, especially from the summer.

"He will help us straight away. He's young, but he is experienced and he will help us."