Eddie Howe has confirmed AFC Bournemouth midfielder Jefferson Lerma requires a late fitness test ahead of the clash against Liverpool on Saturday afternoon.
Lerma came on as a second-half substitute in last weekend’s 2-0 defeat at Cardiff City but has been troubled by an ankle injury over the last month and is a doubt for the clash at Anfield.
Howe will be hoping to take his side to Merseyside and claim another shock result against top-six opposition, following the 4-0 thumping of Chelsea last month, but he doesn’t yet know whether the Colombian will be available.
Speaking at his press conference, Howe said:
We are waiting on a fitness test for Jefferson Lerma. He has had a niggling ankle injury for a few weeks. He has been on and off in his training this week, we will wait and see if he’s fit.
The Cherries are already missing key duo David Brooks and Callum Wilson through injuries and Howe has confirmed they’ll be sidelined for around a month.
David has been to see a specialist and has had scans. It will be around the four-week mark for him. Callum’s is a clean-out in his knee and will be around the same mark. We are not going to get them back earlier than that.
Liverpool will return to the top of the Premier League with a draw ahead of Manchester City’s game against Chelsea on Sunday, but they’ll be desperate to claim all three points.
