CHERRIES head coach Andoni Iraola explained Romain Faivre’s absence from AFC Bournemouth’s Premier League defeat to Aston Villa, stating that the Frenchman was injured.

Although not a starting player since returning from a loan spell at FC Lorient in January, Faivre has regularly been named on the bench for Cherries.

However, the midfielder was absent as Bournemouth lost 3-1 away at Villa Park.

Iraola explained that Faivre missed out due to injury, but was unable to confirm the issue until after an MRI scan.

He told the Daily Echo: “He’s injured.

“He was injured yesterday in training.

“He felt something, and we will have to make the MRI and assess from there. But he was injured.”

A summer signing from Olympique Lyon, Faivre spent the first half of the campaign on loan at FC Lorient.

Faive has made a total of five appearances for Cherries.