Cherries: Flahavan set for long spell on sidelines (From Bournemouth Echo)

Cherries: Flahavan set for long spell on sidelines

7:00am Thursday 13th September 2012 in Sport By Neil Perrett

Cherries goalkeeper Darryl Flahavan is facing an extended spell on the sidelines after being told he will need an operation to cure a shoulder injury.

Flahavan, who sustained the damage during pre-season, is expected to go under the knife in the next few days and could be out for between three to six months.

His absence could force boss Paul Groves to delve into the loan market should Cherries require cover for current number one Shwan Jalal.

Groves told the Daily Echo: “It is disappointing for Darryl and a blow to us but there isn’t a lot you can do. He has seen a specialist and has a tear in his shoulder.

“He is seeing another specialist to get a second opinion but, at some stage, he will definitely need an operation and will have it as soon as possible.

“It remains to be seen for how long he will be out and we have been told various times. Medical people will always be slightly cautious with recovery times.

“We are probably looking at anything between three and six months. That is the range we have been told. It is a blow whether it is three, four, five or six months.”

Cherries’ goalkeeping resources were last month boosted by the signing of Liechtenstein international Benjamin Buchel who warmed up with Jalal and Flahavan at Yeovil on Saturday.

However, Groves is keen for the 23-year-old to gain experience either in Cherries’ development squad or on loan before he is considered for the first team.

Groves added: “If Shwan were to incur an injury, it would be an area we would have to look at. We are going to struggle to find a goalkeeper who would want to come on loan to play second fiddle and sit on the bench. We will assess it on a game-by-game basis.

“Benji needs a little bit of time and, ideally, we will put him out on loan so he can gain experience and acclimatise to the way we play football in this country.

“He needs to develop and find his feet. He is new to this level of football and new to this country, which makes a difference.

“In an ideal world, Benji would go on loan but circumstances might dictate otherwise. If you want a goalkeeper on loan to sit on the bench, all you are going to get is a young lad. Then, you have to ask yourself whether he is any better than Benji, Chad Collins and Ed Tierney.

“You like to try to develop your own players but have to be mindful of the fact it is a first-team situation where you want results.”