ANDONI Iraola allayed any fears over a fitness issue for Alex Scott, as he explained his reasoning behind subbing off the midfielder at Nottingham Forest.

Scott was making his first appearance in almost two months following a knee injury, when he came off the bench to replace Lewis Cook during the first half of Saturday’s 3-2 win at the City Ground.

But the 20-year-old did not see out the game. Having been harshly booked minutes after coming on, Scott’s mistake also led to Cherries falling 1-0 behind against 10-man Forest, who had earlier seen Willy Boly sent off.

With Cherries 2-1 up, the midfielder was then substituted, alongside Antoine Semenyo, with 20 minutes to play, as Joe Rothwell and Luis Sinisterra were introduced.

Discussing Scott’s 40-minute cameo appearance, Iraola told the Daily Echo: “Alex Scott and Antoine Semenyo, I decided to take them both off because of their yellow cards.

“Because with a yellow card, whenever you are playing against 10, sometimes there is a risk.

“We had to be cautious with these things. The main reason to take him (Scott) off was the same as Ant, the yellow card.”

It is hoped Lewis Cook’s injury concern is not too serious, the 26-year-old coming off just before the half-hour mark with a groin complaint.

Adam Smith also took a heavy whack to the face late on, after colliding with the head of Forest skipper Ryan Yates, but Cherries’ defender suffered no concussion and appeared okay as he left the ground.