Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe has raised the possibility that Republic of Ireland midfielder Harry Arter may not play for the club again this season due to an Achilles problem sustained before the last international break.
The 26 year-old came off at half time in the club’s game against Tottenham and subsequently had to withdraw from the Ireland squad for the friendly internationals against Switzerland and Slovakia.
The hope had been at that stage that his recovery would be swift but Howe said at his weekly press conference that: “Harry saw a specialist this week for his injury. We are waiting to see the outcome from that before we know whether we will have him back with us this season.”
Bournemouth have five Premier league games remaining, with a visit to Old Trafford on May 15th rounding off their campaign. Martin O’Neill has said that he will finalise his squad for the European championships just under two weeks later, on the day after Ireland face the Netherlands in Dublin and if Arter has not played competitively between now and then his chances of making the squad will clearly be hit.
O'Neill has already had his options hit by the loss of Alan Judge who broke his leg badly last weekend. The Dubliner had surgery on Monday and while it is said to be too early to predict when he might play again, it is expected to be after the start of next season.
It is a terrible blow for Judge, who was also expected to change clubs during the summer and there was somewhat bittersweet news for the 27 year-old on Thursday when it was announced that his club form over the course of this season had earned him a place on the three man shortlist for the Championship Player of the Year award.
“I’m really pleased he’s been recognised,” said Brentford boss Dean Smith who admitted that at times this season his side had become “too reliant,” on the Irishman. “I always felt he’d get called up for the Euros as there aren’t Irish players with the scoring and assists record he has.”
Glenn Whelan is still recovering from the back spasm he suffered last week while getting out of his car but Stoke City manager Mark Hughes expects him to be back for Monday's game against Tottenham.
“He isn’t participating fully in sessions,” said the former Manchester United and Chelsea striker, “(but) he’s progressing well and hopefully he will be ok for Monday.”
Shay Given is firmly in contention to start that game, something that would boost his Euro2016 chances, after being on the bench for Stoke in recent weeks. The club conceded four against Liverpool last time out and the Irishman may be preferred to Jakob Haugaard for his experience on this occasion.
James McCarthy, meanwhile, misses this weekend’s Everton game against Southampton due to suspension after having been sent off in the scoreless draw against Crystal Palace earlier this week.
