AFC Bournemouth women’s team manager Steve Cuss is backing goalkeeper Katie Scadding to step up to the plate after Daniela Kosińska was ruled due to injury.
Kosińska took a heavy blow to her thigh when she collided with Bridgwater United’s Chloe Snook during the early stages of the Cherries’ 4-2 win in Somerset on Sunday.
The Polish stopper received treatment on the pitch before being stretchered off and taken to Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton where she was assessed by medics.
Although X-rays revealed Kosińska had not sustained any broken bones, her thigh was heavily bruised and she was prescribed a course of pain killers.
Kosińska was accompanied and comforted at hospital by teammate Scadding, who is set to replace her when the Cherries meet Southampton Women at Test Park on Thursday (7.45pm kick-off).
Scadding, 22, has been an integral member of Cuss’s squad since joining the club eight years ago and has won no fewer than three promotions with the Cherries.
Boss Cuss told afcb.co.uk: “Dani took a really heavy blow to her thigh during the collision on Sunday.
“It’s not fractured so that’s a positive but it’s badly bruised and she will definitely miss Thursday’s game and possibly Sunday’s as well.
“We will keep assessing her but it’s positive news that it’s not a break or a fracture, although Dani is still in a lot of pain.
“Katie and Dani have worked hard alongside each other all season and are both very good goalkeepers.
“Every time we’ve asked Katie to come into the first team, she’s performed very well and has backed up Dani throughout the season.
“Nobody wants to see players get injured and are thoughts are with Dani. This is an opportunity for Katie and we are very fortunate to have two very good goalkeepers.”
The Cherries put their unbeaten National League record on the line against Southampton Women who are three points above the relegation zone with three games remaining.
Cuss’s team have five games left and host 11th-placed Torquay United at Ringwood Community Hub on Sunday (2pm kick-off), the Gulls also fighting to retain their Division One South West status.
“It’s always difficult when teams have something to play for at this stage of the season,” added Cuss.
“Perhaps when they are mid-table there is less concentration on games.
“Our next couple of games are against teams fighting for survival and they will be doing everything in their power to stay at this level. We’re expecting tough games against teams that are fighting for their lives.
“It will be another difficult challenge for us against a Southampton team which, since the turn of the year, has been performing very well and getting good results. We know their players well and know it’s going to be a difficult game.”
