CHERRIES will have to start rushing players back from injury according to Andoni Iraola in a bid to add as many points to their total as possible before the end of the season.
After the international break, Cherries have 10 Premier League games remaining in the 2023-24 campaign.
In Iraola’s debut season in charge of Cherries the south coast club have picked up 35 points from 28 games, placing them 13th in the Premier League table.
A record points total for a Premier League campaign is still feasible for Cherries, their previous best of 46 recorded by Eddie Howe’s side in the 2016-17 season.
Last term Cherries garnered 39 points as they avoided the drop under Gary O’Neil in their first season back in the top flight.
Currently Cherries have a host of defensive injuries limiting Iraola’s options.
Marcos Senesi became the latest to join a cohort of defenders in the treatment room, the centre-half limping off with a hamstring issue in Cherries’ 2-0 win away at Burnley.
The Argentine joins Lloyd Kelly, Ryan Fredericks, and Max Aarons on the sidelines, with James Hill on the cusp of full fitness after making his return from an ankle issue last time out against Luton.
Asked about the timeframes for those out with injury, Iraola explained to the Daily Echo: “With the injured players, probably Marcos should be the last one in line to come back.
“But even in Marcos’ situation, it's going to be the most difficult probably, but knowing Marcos, he will even try to be ready.
“I don't know if (it will be) for Everton, but close to that game.
“Because now everyone has to be ready because there is one moment in the season where you cannot say ‘Okay, we are going to go through all the processes.’
“Because the season ends, there is a moment where we have to risk it.
“We have to maybe accelerate the processes and now is the moment of the season, I think.”
Cherries’ first game back after the international break will be against Sean Dyche’s Everton.
The Toffees visit Vitality Stadium on Saturday, March 30.
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