Source: Bournemouth_Echo
Cherries: Injured Lovell makes a salary sacrifice
Cherries star Steve Lovell has offered to forgo a sizeable chunk of his wages after suffering a setback in his quest to regain full fitness.[LNB] Lovell, who signed a one-year deal last month, was hoping to have linked up with his new team-mates towards the end of pre-season after having routine ankle surgery in April.[LNB] But despite passing a rigorous medical at the time, the striker then felt discomfort in the joint when he took his first steps on the road to recovery during a light running session.[LNB] And he was forced to go back under the knife for a minor operation last week, with surgery likely to delay his anticipated comeback for at least another month.[LNB] As a result, the 29-year-old Cherries boss Eddie Howe's younger brother will only draw 50 per cent of his monthly salary until such time as he is fit to return to action.[LNB] His gesture comes just a year after Lovell's offer to play for Cherries for free was scuppered by the Football League due to the club's ongoing transfer embargo.[LNB] In an interview with the Daily Echo last night, boss Howe said: Steve had a routine ankle operation in April and there was no need for any concern at that stage. We were expecting him to train during the latter part of pre-season.[LNB] Unfortunately, and through no fault of his own, there was a complication that we weren't aware of until a couple of months down the line. It only came to light when he started running again.[LNB] It is a real disappointment that Steve hasn't been able to kick on and join in training. He has had to have another operation and we are hopeful he will be back in around six weeks.[LNB] We are hoping he will step up his rehabilitation in the next two to three weeks. Then, it will be a case of getting him fit. He hasn't had a lot of football and that's the bit that will probably take the longest.[LNB] Steve came to us and said he didn't want paying his full salary until he was fit and able to play. It's a great gesture and very rare in the modern game that you would get it.[LNB] Lovell, whose last appearance came for former club Partick Thistle in March, is one of three strikers carrying injuries in Howe's squad.[LNB] Fellow new signing Michael Symes has missed most of pre-season after tweaking his groin against Fulham, while Steve Fletcher is nursing a nagging heel problem.[LNB] Howe added: Michael is coming along okay. He has stepped up his training but has missed most of pre-season.[LNB] It is difficult to nail down a time frame with Fletch's injury. It could be short but it could also drag on. It is one of those frustrating injuries and we won't know for definite until the symptoms have disappeared.[LNB] Meanwhile, midfielder Danny Hollands is back in light training after having double hernia surgery eight days ago. Defender Tim Stephenson was due to have a similar operation yesterday.[LNB]
