CHERRIES are sweating on the fitness of skipper Tommy Elphick who has flown to Sweden to see a specialist for a consultation on his ankle injury.

Elphick was ruled out of Cherries’ 2-0 win over Sunderland six days ago after feeling discomfort in the joint following the defeat at Norwich.

And while it was initially diagnosed as tendonitis, Elphick asked to be referred to the surgeon who helped him recover from a career-threatening Achilles injury during his time at Brighton in 2011.

 


Boss Eddie Howe said: “Tommy wanted him to have a look at his injury. He has total faith in his opinion and we felt it was wise he had that reassurance with this current injury.

“Tommy has gone there to get an update and to see if, hopefully, it is nothing serious. If everything is okay, it will be a case of building it up quite quickly and getting him back playing.”

Asked if there were concerns it could be long term, Howe replied: “We won’t know for definite until we get the opinion of the specialist.

"We are hopeful and, for us, it is a case of making sure he is fine before we start building him up.”

Howe also said midfielder Harry Arter had suffered a minor setback in his bid to reclaim full fitness following a persistent groin problem.

“He had a little niggle this week,” said Howe. “It is not connected with the injury he suffered and is in another area of his body so it is a case of letting that settle and then building him up.

“It is only natural when you have been out the length of time he has that he will pick up little things which will delay his comeback by a few days.”