AFC Bournemouth
Jefferson Lerma is a key returnee as AFC Bournemouth get set for the weekend trip to play Hull City.
The Colombia international has had a prolonged pre-season while serving his six-game suspension but with that now complete he will be back in the matchday squad at the MKM Stadium.
Scott Parker spoke to the media ahead of the long journey to Humberside and detailed the importance of having Lerma available for the first time in 2021/22 as well as his experiences with him so far.
The head coach said: "He's exactly how I'd thought he'd be having watched him previously from afar as a player.
"He's an aggressive, front foot, dynamic midfielder, someone who brings a lot of energy, a bubbly character and I'm really looking forward to having him back with the team.
"He for sure strengthens us and makes us a better team, improving us even more. His quality and attributes are going to be needed in this team and I'm pleased to have him back."
The positive nature of the midfielder's return is balanced with it being unlikely that any of the Cherries' injured players will be ready for the tussle with the Tigers.
Parker explained: "Jack Stacey's progressing really well and trained today with us, Adam Smith is a little bit slower in his work with where he is.
"Junior Stanislas will be a few weeks, he's tweaked his hamstring so he will now go in with the medics, get some rehab done and strengthen up those areas.
"Hopefully he'll get back after the international break, I'm don't know exactly when but certainly that will be the case.
"Lewis Cook is progressing really well, we're just having to hold him back really because he's flying. You have to respect the injury that he's got in terms of the timing of it.
"You're not going to be seeing Lewis for some weeks in terms of being available for us to play games but he's on the training ground, he's progressing well and hopefully he'll be stepping up the work he's doing with the teams in the coming weeks."
