AFC Bournemouth
AFC Bournemouth youth team prospect Remy Rees-Dottin is determined to make up for lost time after hitting the comeback trail.
The 16-year-old has already had more than his fair share of misfortune this season having sustained injuries to both hips.
Rees-Dottin, who hails from Fareham, hurt his left hip in the Cherries’ final pre-season friendly against Wimborne Town at the end of July.
And despite briefly returning to action, he then suffered the same fate to his right hip during a training session towards the end of September.
Rees-Dottin spent his formative years on the books at Southampton and has progressed through the Cherries academy having joined when he was 11.
A first-year scholar in Alan Connell’s under-18 squad, Rees-Dottin has been restricted to four appearances in all competitions this season.
The versatile frontman, who can also operate as a wing-back, made his second comeback in the 2-2 draw with Birmingham in the Under-18 Professional Development League Cup last Saturday.
Rees-Dottin will be looking to take further steps on the road to recovery when Connell’s team host EFL Youth Alliance rivals Forest Green Rovers at Canford Park Arena tomorrow (11am kick-off).
He told afcb.co.uk: “I started really well in pre-season and played consistently at wing-back. Then, I got my first hip injury and was out for six weeks.
“I recovered well, got my head down and did my rehab. I came back and played three games and then injured my right hip and was out for another five weeks.
“The medical staff looked after me very well and gave me good treatment. The rehab was excellent and everything helped me recover quickly.
“Getting injured is tough but knowing I have the rest of my first year and the whole of my second year gives me the confidence and positivity to keep performing and working hard.
“Not many first-years are going to start every game, especially when all the second-years are back. You need to be ready to make an impact when you’re needed.
“From what I’ve seen and the few games I’ve played in, the season has gone really well for us. We’re top of the table and Forest Green will be another tough game for us. But if we put our heads on and work hard, we can get the win.”
Goals from Michael Dacosta Gonzalez and Baylin Johnson earned the Cherries a hard-fought 2-1 win over Rovers at Hartpury College at the start of October.
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