Eddie Howe has revealed Javier Manquillo has ‘picked up an injury in training’, while Alexander Isak has hinted he’ll be fine to play on Saturday after fears he’d suffered concussion in our semi-final tie.
Manquillo, who has been our backup to Kieran Trippier in recent months, is expected to miss three to four weeks. The good news, however, is Harrison Ashby and Anthony Gordon should come straight into our squad for Saturday’s game after both trained today, giving the boss two fresh options.
Isak took a heavy blow to the head on Tuesday – Howe revealed that he felt ‘groggy’ after blocking James Ward-Prowse’s late free-kick and is waiting to see if it’s concussion – but the striker has described it as a ‘minor’ knock, telling his Instagram followers he’s ‘feeling fine.’
With Bruno Guimaraes also starting a three-game ban following his straight red card, one worry is how light we look in midfield. Outside of Elliot Anderson, we have no cover in the middle of the park for our next three league games.
On the flip side, it’s a good job Ashby did sign on deadline day, giving us a much needed option at right-back with Emil Krafth (ACL) also sidelined for the foreseeable future.
Here’s what Howe had to say on Ashby’s arrival and an injury to Manquillo:
“Well he’s definitely one for the future. He’s a talented young player, we feel he’s got, as all young players have, areas to improve but I think he’s got good character and really good physical and technical attributes.
“Javi Manquillo picked up an injury in training so he will be missing for three to four weeks. It’s an area we were light on in numbers and bringing Harrison in we feel it’s good value in the market. It was a good deal all round for us.”
On Isak, Howe added: “He felt a bit groggy [after] taking the ball to his head. I don’t know how bad that is – I don’t know the concussion protocols.”
