CHERRIES have been dealt a big injury blow with Luis Sinisterra set for a spell on the sidelines due to a hamstring strain.

Sinisterra joined Cherries from Leeds United, initially on loan, in September 2023 and made his move permanent in February for around £20million.

After a slow start on the south coast, the 24-year-old has developed into a key attacking threat in Iraola’s side.

The winger has made 22 appearances in total, scoring three goals and providing three assists.

Bournemouth Echo:

Sinisterra’s first season in England, at Leeds United in 2022-23, was punctuated by a variety of injury issues, including a spell out of the side due to a hamstring problem.

Having stayed fit all season for Cherries, he could now be out of action for more than a month after suffering an injury while on international duty with Colombia.

He was withdrawn from their squad ahead of this evening’s friendly against Spain at West Ham United’s London Stadium.

Cherries head coach Andoni Iraola told the Daily Echo: “Sini is injured. He has a hamstring strain.

“He will be out for four or five weeks, at least.

“It is a shame for us, because we had a plan with him, which has been working perfectly all season, no injuries, he has been available all season for us.

“I’m sure Colombia also wanted to keep him with no injuries, but he had an injury training with them.

“There were close, in London, so he came back here.

“We have already made assessments and he has a strain. So probably the normal hamstring strain is about this time.”

Asked how big a blow it is to lose Sinisterra, given his recent form, Iraola added: “I think he was doing very well.

“Even the last game, he came off at half-time, but he played well in the first half.

“It was not a matter of him not performing well. I think he was playing well, but we needed to play with two forwards, we decided to go different.

“But it is a shame, because he is a player that was earning even more minutes, more starts.

“I think he was in a good moment.

“Also he has been training and playing regularly all season, after in the past season especially with Leeds, where he had some injury problems.

“We were warned about this and made a plan with him.

“I think we have been quite good with some players that have had some hamstring injuries in the past, especially Justin Kluivert, Marcus Tavernier and Sini.

“They have been in a good place. But unluckily for us, now in the last part Sini will be out for some weeks.”