JOE Rothwell was substituted off for tactical reasons against Tottenham Hotspur, rather than the injury he sustained in the first half.

The former Blackburn Rovers man suffered a finger issue whilst chasing Spurs full-back Destiny Udogie shortly before the visitors went ahead at Vitality Stadium.

As Tottenham celebrated James Maddison’s opener on 17 minutes, Rothwell went over to the bench to receive medical attention.

He had some fingers on his left hand strapped up, before appearing to take on some medication later in the half.

At half-time, Rothwell was replaced by Lewis Cook.

Asked about Rothwell’s injury, Iraola told the Daily Echo: “I think it was something with the finger. But is not why I changed him.

“It was a tactical decision. I think we needed a little bit more aggressivity there in the middle, because (James) Maddison and (Yves) Bissouma were hurting us.

“Even if they were receiving quite low, from these positions they were building up their game.

“We needed to put a little bit more pressure on with Lew.”

Discussing Cherries’ struggles in midfield in general, Iraola added: “I think in the first half we put them in really difficult positions.

“I think Bissouma and Maddison were receiving in really difficult positions, but they are good and they were winning duels.

“Even with a man on their back, they were protecting the ball very well. Probably we didn’t regain so many balls because they could sustain a good press.”