CHERRIES’ defensive woes have deepened with James Hill set for a spell out due to a “high ankle sprain” suffered in victory over Swansea City.

Hill, recalled from Blackburn Rovers this month to help cover injuries across the back-line, has started both matches since his return.

He filled in at left-back against Liverpool on Sunday, before starting and impressing on the right against Swansea in the FA Cup last night.

However, his evening was cut short as he was substituted off in the 57th minute after an awkward fall.

Despite some medical treatment, Hill could not return to action, looking visibly emotional as he hobbled off around the side of the pitch.

It means Cherries are now without all four of their senior right-back options due to injury. Adam Smith should be the soonest to return, while Max Aarons is out for a while having suffered a hamstring problem on Sunday and Ryan Fredericks has not played all season after setbacks following a calf issue.

“It is the worst news of the night,” Iraola told the Daily Echo, discussing Hill’s injury.

“Knowing Hilly, if he goes off, it is because something has happened.

“He is feeling pain in the ankle, so I suppose it is going to be a high ankle sprain, something like this.

“It will take some time for him, in a position even before where we were already thin.”

Bournemouth Echo: James Hill was forced off with injury in the second half

Asked if the club will have to look to the transfer market ahead of Thursday’s deadline to bring in reinforcements in that area, Iraola added: “We had to think before this game and now it is even worse.

“I think the only non-full-back injury we have is Tyler (Adams).

“The rest of the injuries are in the full-back positions.

“We’ve been without any specific left-back for more than a month. Now it looks like Lloydy (Kelly) and Milos (Kerkez) are recovering and adding some minutes and we are struggling on the other side.

“I think James Hill was a very good addition for us, with the problems we were having in the defensive side.

“He has started both games and done really well, playing left-back and right-back.

“He is someone very valuable for our team, someone who can play all the four positions at the back.

“For the situation we are with the defenders, it was really valuable. But I think we are going to lose him for some weeks.

“We have to see how far away Adam Smith is.

“I think Max and Hilly, after these last two games, I think they will be out for some weeks.

“There is still one week (in the market), but we have to make decisions and think, because we have important games in February.

“Also with the cup game we are now going to play, it is going to be a really, really busy month.

“The same more or less like we had in December, with lots of games.

“We have to prepare well, because it is going to be a key month for us.”