CHERRIES boss Andoni Iraola has confirmed that Max Aarons is set to be sidelined for an undefined length of time with a hamstring injury sustained against Newcastle United.

Summer signing Aarons was forced off in Cherries’ 2-0 victory over the Magpies after 68 minutes, with veteran Adam Smith coming off the bench to replace him, the stalwart making his 350th appearance for the club in the process.

Philip Billing, who missed the Newcastle game with a knock, has since returned to training, whilst his compatriot Emi Marcondes is also backing training with the team.

Aarons had started all but one of Cherries’ 12 Premier League game so far this term, coming on as a substitute for the final minutes of the 3-0 defeat away at Everton.

Asked for an injury update, Iraola told the Daily Echo: “Philip has been back training with us. He missed a couple of trainings after the game, but has been training normal.

“Max Aarons, we lose him because he got injured in the game, also Emiliano (Marcondes) has started partially doing some things with the team.

“He’s not with the rhythm of his teammates, but he has started to train with the rest.

“Darren Randolph is training normal now, also with the team. I don’t think we have any new injuries.

“Max has a hamstring injury. I cannot tell you when he will be able to help us. I think he will be out for some games.

“We have a lot of games in December, we will need a lot of players, but I don’t know at what point he will be able to help the team.”

Whilst at the time of his press conference the full contingent of players away with their countries were yet to return to training with Cherries, Iraola stated that there were no new concerns stemming from international duty.

He continued: “There are two or three that still haven’t trained with us. They are arriving during the day, so we will see how they arrive, if they have slept or not during the travel.

“We will have tomorrow training, but most of them already trained today and everyone was fine.

“Everyone has come back from the national team in a good spot.

“Obviously the travel, they are tired, and we will have to analyse who will be able to help us, who maybe can play some minutes, which ones can start.

“But no serious injuries.”

Cherries return to Premier League action this weekend, when they travel to Sheffield United on Saturday (3pm).

Four points and two places separate the two sides in the league table, with Cherries in 16th, above the Blades in 18th.