Bournemouth are once again without top scorer Justin Kluivert for tonight’s Premier League clash with Fulham.
The Dutch winger has been one of the standout stars of a previously impressive campaign under Andoni Iraola on the south coast, scoring 13 goals and providing eight assists in 33 appearances across all competitions so far.
However, Kluivert has not played since the 2-1 home FA Cup quarter-final defeat by Manchester City on March 30 after picking up an unspecified knock that has seen him miss back-to-back top-flight games against Ipswich and West Ham.
Bournemouth’s rather alarming slump in form has continued without the 25-year-old, with the Cherries now winless in their last six league games and losers of four straight at home to drop down to mid-table and deal a blow to their chances of securing European football for next season.
Fulham - fresh off a shock home win over champions-elect Liverpool and currently sitting two places and three points above their next opponents in eighth - are the latest visitors to the Vitality Stadium on Monday night, with Iraola unable to select Kluivert for the fixture.
The Spaniard is boosted by the return of Marcus Tavernier to the matchday squad following an ankle problem but Luis Sinisterra (hamstring) remains sidelined.
Bournemouth are definitely remain without long-term absentee Enes Unal against Fulham after the Turkish forward underwent knee surgery back in January, while Scotland midfielder Ryan Christie will also now miss the rest of the season after an operation on his groin to fix a lingering issue.
“Ryan Christie is out for the season. He needed surgery and I think he has been pushing through pain all season,” Iraola said of the former Celtic man.
“Now was the moment where his body told him ‘it’s enough, you cannot keep playing’. Now our aim is to recover well with him and have him ready to start pre-season well with the others.
“He is definitely not going to be able to play this season.”
Fulham are without Harry Wilson despite the attacking midfielder rejoining training following surgery on a foot fracture in February. Arsenal loanee Reiss Nelson remains sidelined after hamstring surgery.
