Howe drops new transfer hint after confirming horror injury and Bruno Guimaraes blow
Eddie Howe has confirmed that Emil Krafth suffered a cruciate ligament injury to his knee during last week's Carabao Cup win over Tranmere.
The player has already confirmed he'll be missing for "several months", but the devastating nature of the injury has now been revealed, meaning the Swede may be struggling to play again this season.
As a result, Howe has admitted he may be forced back into the transfer market, with our only cover for Kieran Trippier being Javier Manquillo; who hasn't kicked a ball since early April after struggling with an ongoing injury all summer. A winger and midfielder are already on our wanted list, but it seems we could now look to the loan market for a right-back, too.
Elsewhere, Bruno Guimaraes has joined Callum Wilson (hamstring) and Emil Krafth (knee) on the sidelines after missing out at Wolves, with Howe revealing that he looks set to miss Wednesday's trip to Liverpool with a new injury.
Alexander Isak is expected to get international clearance in time, however Allan Saint-Maximin and Kieran Trippier are due for scans after picking up niggles at Molineux.
Here's what Howe's had to say on Krafth, Bruno and a potential transfer re-think ahead of Thursday's 11pm deadline...
Howe on Emil Krafth:
“It’s an ACL injury, so he’ll be out for a number of months.
“It’s a massive blow for us. Emil has been superb for us every since I came to the football club in all sorts of ways, on the pitch, off the pitch.
"He's a brilliant guy. So we’re all really, really feeling for him at the moment.”
Howe when asked if he'll change his transfer plans after Emil Krafth's injury:
“Yeah, maybe. We’ll have a look, count the bodies, see who we have fit and then make a decision on whether we go into the market.
We’ve picked up a couple of injuries. I don’t know how bad they are.
“We’re counting the cost of a spell where we’re getting some rough luck with injuries. The lads are exerting so much within the games that we’re feeling the effects of that."
Howe on Bruno Guimaraes:
“He has a slight niggle and I don’t think it’s anything serious.
“We hope he won’t miss too much.
“Liverpool might be too soon.”
Howe on Callum Wilson:
“Callum will be working away to get back to fitness again.
"It’s not a long term injury, I don’t think it is going to be too bad so hopefully we will be able to get him back quickly.
"I don’t think he will be fit for Liverpool.”
