Source: Bournemouth_Echo
Cherries: Jalal injury fear
Cherries boss Eddie Howe is bracing himself for the worst-case scenario after star goalkeeper Shwan Jalal suffered a fresh injury setback on Saturday.[LNB] The highly-rated stopper limped off in the 59th minute of Cherries' 1-0 victory over Shrewsbury Town with a suspected calf muscle problem.[LNB] And with rookie 18-year-old Dan Thomas the only other recognised keeper in Howe's squad, the Cherries chief faces an anxious wait to discover the severity of Jalal's injury.[LNB] It was a strange one because there was no one near him, said Howe, reflecting on the moment Jalal pulled up.[LNB] He's had an ankle problem, as everyone knows, and I think it must be related to that.[LNB] It's a real disappointment to lose Jalal because he's done so well this season, but I thought Dan came on and was excellent and full credit to him in difficult circumstances.[LNB] We probably have to prepare as though we're going to be without Jalal for a period of time.[LNB] I certainly hope not but the likelihood is with a muscle pull or whatever it is, it's going to be a period of time before he's back.[LNB] With the club's chances of recruiting a goalkeeper on an emergency loan unknown due to their ongoing Football League transfer embargo, Thomas could be called into action if Jalal is sidelined.[LNB] Despite that situation being far from ideal, boss Howe holds Thomas in high regard.[LNB] He's barely played 10 reserve games so that's how quickly he's progressed, said Howe.[LNB] But we believe he's got a chance in the future and we do believe in him. It will just be a case of how he develops in the coming months.[LNB] Howe was also forced to substitute in-form midfielder Anton Robinson after just 14 minutes, with the former Weymouth skipper struggling with a back problem.[LNB] It is another potential blow for Howe, who will be hoping injuries do not weaken his already wafer-thin squad after Jason Pearce and Marvin Bartley also appeared to pick up knocks against Shrewsbury.[LNB] He added: We hope Anton's injury is not too serious, but you never know with back problems.[LNB] We don't know what's brought it on, so we're hopeful we can get him back as soon as we can.[LNB] We've got so many games coming up over Christmas, it's absolutely crucial that we try to keep injuries to a minimum.[LNB] If Howe did require another goalkeeper and the league allowed an emergency loan deal, one possible recruit could be Marek Stech.[LNB] Howe ran the rule over the West Ham keeper in training last week as a precaution, with Jalal struggling to overcome the ankle problem which kept him out of the FA Cup defeat against Notts County. But the Cherries number one recovered in time to face Barnet in midweek before lasting 59 minutes against Shrewsbury on Saturday.[LNB]
