Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has been speaking to the media before Saturday’s Premier League game against Fulham at Craven Cottage (15:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
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Iraola said he expects Justin Kluivert to return to the squad for the first time in more than four months: “Justin has been training with the team normally this week. I expect him to be in the squad.”
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Lewis Cook, who has been sidelined since February, will probably not be fit to return on Saturday but could feature in the Cherries’ final two matches: “Lew also has been training, not fully, and is probably a little bit behind Justin in the process but is getting there. Probably not for tomorrow but he’s training normally today and we will see. I hope Justin definitely and Lew can be available for the last two games.”
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On Bournemouth’s chances of qualifying for Europe: “We are in the fight but we still need good results. You need wins, we don’t have easy games. The thing that makes me optimistic is that we are in a good place. I hope we can go all the way.”
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Referring to the atmosphere within the squad, Iraola said: “I feel from the players that everyone wants it! Everyone is available and everyone wants to contribute. I have to make big decisions to leave players out of the squad but it creates competition and a good atmosphere.”
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He emphasised his faith in the team: “The only thing that makes me optimistic is that, I see my team in a really good place. We are doing good things, we are playing well. Even if we probably have one of the toughest, maybe with Brentford, toughest schedules. I trust my team because they show me that they are able to play a good game against any opposition.”
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On his side’s lengthy run without losing: “We’ve done something really difficult, going on a 15-game unbeaten run. But, we still have work to do. We are in a good position. It speaks well about the players, they have been consistent, tough to beat. They are playing well, when we aren’t playing well they are finding ways to stay in the games. I hope that we can go all the way, knowing we have three difficult matches.”
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More on his final three games in charge of the club: “Personally for me, it would be massive to get Europe. We have to continue what we are doing. We are preparing the games as good as we can. I feel from the players that everyone wants to be there.”
Listen to live commentary of Fulham v Bournemouth on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra and BBC Sounds
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[BBC]
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