Eddie Howe has confirmed that Joe Willock and Lewis Miley won’t play again this season, but there’s some positive news to share on Callum Wilson’s return from injury.
Willock (Achilles) and Miley (back) have been managing niggling injuries and there was hope they’d be able to feature over our final six games. However, it seems the club have decided a period of rest is needed to help them fully recover, as reported by Craig Hope last week.
As for Wilson, he’s “trained very well” after recovering from pectoral surgery, with Howe hopeful he can “hit the ground running”. It’s not yet clear, but his comments suggest he’ll be back in the squad for tomorrow’s trip to Palace.
Howe on Willock – “No, we don’t think so. We all decided — the medical team, Joe — that a period where he strengthens the area around his Achilles would benefit him more. He saw a specialist and had a couple of options, but doesn’t need surgery. It’s a big frustration for Joe, but hopefully we can get to the situation where he is playing freely next season.”
Howe on Miley – “The decision made on him (Miley) is to protect him again. He’s been brilliant but we won’t see him again this season. With the back problem he’s had, we feel that rest is the right way to go.”
Howe on Wilson – “He’s trained very well and it’s been good to have him back. He’s trained really well. He’s been able to focus on his legs and his running and he’s came back really good. Hopefully he can hit the ground running.
“Callum’s game is very physical. He wants to get into those duels, that’s one of his big strengths. So getting confident in those situations this week has been a big thing for him.”
Howe also issued an update on some of our other injured stars, but suggested the likes of Joelinton, Trippier, Pope and Almiron aren’t close to returning just yet.
“We’re trying to get as many players fit for the games we have coming up. I think there’s been some misleading stories that players are training and close to playing when they’re not. I don’t imagine a huge change in our squad for tomorrow’s game but hopefully one or two players could come back.”
