JAMES Hill’s return from injury was “last-minute” according to Cherries head coach Andoni Iraola, who shared “We didn’t expect him to play.”

With Cherries having manged to overturn a three-goal deficit to take a 4-3 lead in the closing stages against Luton Town, Hill came on to help see out the result.

The brief cameo appearance was his first since limping off in the FA Cup victory over Swansea City in January with a high ankle sprain.

22-year-old Hill had a six-month spell with Championship side Blackburn Rovers but was recalled at the start of the calendar year in order to boost Cherries’ defensive numbers.

So far this term he has made three Premier League appearances, all off the bench.

Discussing Hill’s return, Iraola told the Daily Echo: “It was a last-minute call.

“We didn’t expect him to play.

“But we used him to close the game a little bit, just some minutes.

“He is a very good defender and I think he helped us.

“It is also a good thing we will recover him, I hope, during these two-and-a-half weeks, so he will be ready against Everton.”
It is hoped Hill will be fully fit when Everton visit Vitality Stadium on Saturday, March 30.