CHERRIES boss Andoni Iraola said that “surgery was not out of the question” for Tyler Adams following a setback in the American’s return from injury.

Adams came off the bench to make his Cherries debut at Stoke City in the EFL Cup last Wednesday, playing 20 minutes in his first competitive appearance since March 2023.

But the American was absent from Cherries’ following game, the 4-0 defeat to Arsenal, with Iraola stating after the game that Adams would be out longer term.

Cherries parted with a reported £23million to secure the midfielder’s services from Leeds this summer.

Asked for an update on Adams, Iraola shared: “Tyler, we don't expect him soon again with us.

“I think the medical staff are analysing the situation. They are asking different specialists to take the best route we have.

“We still haven't decided. But whatever the solution he takes or we take, we don't expect him soon on the pitch.

“It's the same hamstring.

“He's not feeling well. He played some minutes because he wanted to give it a try, but he didn't have good sensations.

“Now, we stop because something is not going well.

“Because you've done all the previous things, so you should be ready to perform now and things are not going well.

“We have to think of another solution yet. I think even surgery is not out of the question.

“It's a possibility because we have to make sure that once we have him, we have him without any issue. 100 per cent. And I think they are analysing everything now.

“We have to take a decision.”

Iraola was then quizzed about how big a blow it was to see Adams out for even longer than first anticipated.

“We've talked a lot about him,” the Basque continued.

“He's a very important player for us.

“And his position also because of his character, even if he's still young, his experience, he has some leadership that is really good for the team.

“But it is what it is, we cannot change it.

“I think it has been hard for him because he has been pushing.

“He wanted to be as soon as possible with us to help the team, but we cannot change it.

“I think after the surgery he had past season, things haven't gone well.

“Probably there was something that was not correct.

“He has to find another solution.”

Iraola does not expect any further returnees from injury, with Ryan Fredericks, Lloyd Kelly, Emi Marcondes, Chris Mepham and Alex Scott all currently sidelined.