Eddie Howe has been speaking to the media this morning ahead of our trip to West Ham this weekend.
The boss offered an injury update on Lewis Hall, Yoane Wissa and Will Osula, also revealing some good and not-so-good news on their availability.
The good news is that Lewis Hall will train with the team today and could return to the squad on Sunday if he “looks in good shape.”
However, there will be no Wissa this weekend. Howe revealed that the DR Congo striker is “on the grass” but “not close” to training with the group “due to fitness”, claiming he does not know when the 29-year-old will be back with the squad.
Will Osula’s ankle is still beining managed, which will explain why he didn’t start in midweek, and Howe admitted that Sandro Tonali was only at “80%” on Wednesday after still feeling some after-effects from last week’s bug, showing what an incredible player he is to still be the best player on the pitch against Spurs!
Howe on Hall and Osula
“No fresh injuries, we are still managing Will Osula’s ankle, we will see how he is today but apart from that we are as we were.
“Hopefully Lewis Hall will be training with us today, we will see how he looks, he’s looked after himself, looks in good shape but we will have to re-introduce him at the right time.”
Howe on Wissa
“He’s on the grass and working but he definitely won’t be involved on Sunday.
“I’d say he’s not close to training with the group due to fitness. I’m not trying to be evasive but I don’t know when the moment will be when he’s back with the squad.”
While there is no word of a setback for Wissa, this “not close” update from Howe does make you worry that next week’s games against Athletic Bilbao and Brentford will also come too soon for the striker, who is clearly building his way back from a lack of pre-season and PCL injury in early September.
Tino Livramento remains out, with the right-back expected back for our first game after the next international break; a home clash with Man City on 22nd November.