LONG-TERM injury absentees Ryan Fredericks and Emiliano Marcondes “shouldn’t be very far” from joining their teammates on the training pitch.

That is according to boss Andoni Iraola, who has issued an update on the pair.

Neither Marcondes nor Fredericks have featured since last season, due to foot and calf injuries respectively.

Asked if there is a return date in place for when either could be back in action, Iraola told the Daily Echo: “They haven’t started training with the group, but they are on the grass, individually.

“They are touching the ball, they are improving.

“They shouldn’t be very far from starting at least to partially train with the group.

“But they are still not there.”

Fredericks, 31, last played for Cherries in March, while Marcondes’s last outing came in May, during a loan spell with FC Nordsjaelland.