Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola has admitted that defender Julián Araujo’s injury earlier this year came at a bad time for him and they’re now taking things cautiously so he’s fine next season.
TNT Sports Mexico have an interview with the Bournemouth manager after the recent 2-2 draw with West Ham, in which Araujo made his return from a long injury absence.
The defender joined the Cherries in the summer transfer window and was a big part of their plans early on in the season, picking up minutes up until the beginning of November.
He’s been out of action since then with a hamstring injury, though, missing 19 games for Bournemouth in the process spending 114 days on the treatment table before retuning in March. He then spent another month working on his fitness after the long layoff.
That’s now behind him and he was an unused substitute in the 2-2 draw with West Ham, a step forward as he looks to return before the end of the season.
Iraola is hopeful of seeing that happen but insists that he and everyone else at Bournemouth is taking it very cautiously after that long layoff.
“At least he’s been able to be in the squad,” he said.
“I think after an injury, well, with an operation, a very serious muscle injury seeing him here is a good sign; it means he’s very close to being able to help us. I’m confident that in these eight games we have left he’ll have opportunities.
“I think, for Julián, the injury came at a bad time, in the sense that he was growing, playing games, getting his minutes, and, well, he’s been out for practically four months.
“In the end, it’s an operation, a muscle injury. We also have to be careful with reintroducing him carefully so that he can finish this season without physical problems and start next season with no problems.”
