Eddie Howe is hoping to have Joelinton, Sven Botman and Joe Willock back from injury after the international break, with Anthony Gordon also returning from a one-game ban.
As the boss mentions, our recent run of impressive results has been made even more positive when you look at the number of key players who were missing from huge victories against PSG and Man City.
We have definitely missed the energy of both Joelinton and Willock in midfield, with the latter having been out since the end of last season. But, Howe is hopeful both will return in two weeks time along with Botman; who is a huge presence at the back, no matter how well Jamaal Lascelles has filled in.
Gordon has only missed one game due to suspension but again it was clear that we missed his pace and energy in our 2-2 draw against West Ham, particularly in the first half.
Here’s what the boss had to say about Joelinton and the return of all four key players:
?Ultimately he (Joelinton) wasn?t close (to making West Ham). He hasn?t trained with us yet but hopefully, for the next game, fingers crossed, he?ll be back.
??We were missing some big players today and that makes the recent games all the more positive for us because when you?re stretched, you need the depth of your squad.
?I think we?ve shown that. The players that have come in have been brilliant for us but I thought we missed Joelinton. We?ve definitely missed Joe Willock for such a long time. Sven [Botman], Anthony [Gordon], these players can make a difference, especially in a tight game when we?re fatigued and 2-1 up.
?That?s something we need to look at and hopefully we can get those players back in the next two weeks.?
