ANDONI Iraola says he found it “difficult to help” Ryan Fredericks during his injury-ravaged season, adding: “It is the most difficult situation probably I have had to manage.”

Fredericks will be released by Cherries when his contract expires this month, having made just 12 appearances for the club, following his arrival in the summer of 2022.

The 31-year-old did not feature at all under Iraola, following setbacks after trying to recover from a calf issue.

His last Cherries appearance came in a 1-0 win over Liverpool in March 2023.

Discussing the full-back, Iraola told the Daily Echo: “For me, it is the most difficult situation probably I have had to manage, because he hasn’t trained with us for any single session.

“I have seen him a lot of times outside, working alone, with Charlie (Moore, rehabilitation coach).

“But he hasn’t been able to finish training with us.

“I think he has had some setbacks and it is always very difficult, because for sure it is frustrating for him.

“It is another six or seven weeks, then he will try and start. When he tries to push, he goes back.

“It has been really difficult for him and for me also, because I cannot help him.

“If he starts training with you then yes, but from the outside, it is difficult to help him.”