November 22, 2024

Eddie Howe 'really impressed' with AFC Bournemouth under-21s coach Shaun  Cooper | Bournemouth EchoCHERRIES boss Andoni Iraola rejected the suggestion that Lloyd Kelly is avoiding the risk of impacting a future move by being overly cautious with an injury, stating “he’s the first one that wants to play”.

Kelly has entered the final months of his contract at Vitality Stadium and is attracting interest from both England and abroad.

Signed from Bristol City for a reported £13million in 2019, Kelly joined on a five-year deal that has not been renewed since, and as such could depart Dean Court for nothing at the expiry of his contract.

Whilst Cherries remain hopeful of retaining Kelly’s services, it is looking increasingly likely that the defender’s future lies elsewhere, with reported interest from Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United, West Ham United, AC Milan, and Juventus.Eddie Howe 'really impressed' with AFC Bournemouth under-21s coach Shaun  Cooper | Bournemouth Echo

The versatile defender has not featured for Cherries since a 2-2 draw away at Newcastle United in February, the 25-year-old out with a hip flexor issue.

Previous comments from Iraola implied that Kelly could be able to play with the issue.

Speaking before Cherries played Burnley at the start of March, Iraola said of Kelly’s injury: “It will depend on his sensations.

“He has a strain in the hip flexor. But it is not the most important of the muscles.

“Sometimes with a strained hip flexor you could play and it will depend on how he feels, how he goes through all the checks, inside and outside.”

Since the turn of the year Cherries’ talisman Dominic Solanke has been playing with a knee issue, the striker playing through the pain barrier for his side.Eddie Howe 'really impressed' with AFC Bournemouth under-21s coach Shaun  Cooper | Bournemouth Echo

Earlier on in the campaign Iraola also revealed that stalwart Adam Smith had also played through injury troubles.

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