Manager Eddie Howe says midfielder Dan Gosling is a doubt for AFC Bournemouth’s trip to Manchester City after picking up a minor knee injury last weekend.
While a decision has yet to be made on Gosling, Jefferson Lerma definitely misses the trip to the Etihad due to suspension after picking up his fifth caution of the season last Sunday against Arsenal.
Howe gave his team news in his pre-match press conference: “We’ve got Adam Smith out of course, Jefferson Lerma is suspended and Dan Gosling hasn’t trained this week so we’ll make a late call on him, we’re not sure on his availability yet.”
“He took a bang on his knee against Arsenal, we hope it’s just a bruise so we’ll wait and see.”
Saturday’s opponents are the only team in the Premier League the Cherries have not taken points from, but talking of his tactical approach for the match away at the champions Howe explained that he is looking forward to the challenge.
“Let’s wait and see,” he said. “We like to think we’re adaptable and can make changes when necessary. We treat each game individually so we’ll try to come up with a plan that nullifies Man City’s strengths as best as we can while still maintaining a threat.
“We know it will be hard and City are the side we’ve struggled the most against, but I see the game more as a positive challenge than a negative one.”
