Dominic Solanke returning earlier than expected is crucial ahead of the Championship run in

Bournemouth striker Dominic Solanke has been sidelined for nearly four weeks with an ankle injury sustained in the defeat to Sheffield Wednesday last month which proved to be Jason Tindall’s last as manager.

He has been absent for all six games since Jonathan Woodgate has been in charge but returned to the side for yesterday afternoon’s crucial 1-0 against Watford.

When the former England international has played, he has been one of the Cherries more impressive performers, scoring several crucial goals throughout the game and has ten league goals to his name so far.

His career on the South Coast began in January 2019 when he was signed from Liverpool for an undisclosed fee on a long term contract, but until this season, had struggled to earn regular game time from the start.

In his season and a half before the club were relegated, the 23-year-old featured in 42 matches, although a large proportion of these were from the bench.

It took until July of the following year in Project Restart for his first Premier League goals to come, scoring a brace in a heavy 4-1 win over Champions League chasing Leicester City at the Vitality Stadium.

He also notched in Bournemouth’s 3-1 win at Goodison Park against Everton on the final day of the season, but it wasn’t enough to get them out of trouble, falling to the second tier by just three points.

However, Solanke got his head down in pre season and following the sale of Callum Wilson to Newcastle United, he was given the number nine shirt by Tindall and began the season as the main man up top.

The season began brilliantly for the Chelsea academy graduate, reaching eight league goals by mid-December after striking twice in the 5-0 mauling of Huddersfield Town.

Goals dried up for him around Christmas and New Year before he sustained an ankle injury against Sheffield Wednesday, which has seen him out of action for 25 days, although he has returned much quicker than many expected.

The initial diagnosis wasn’t positive and it was expected that he would be out for a couple of months but he has worked his way back to full fitness and put in a fine display against the Hertfordshire club.

Josh King may have departed for Everton shortly before Solanke’s ankle issue but Shane Long was drafted in on loan until the end of the season from Southampton to add extra competition in forward areas, with the only other option, Sam Surridge, still finding his way in the game.

Solanke’s playing style is a very hardworking one, constantly running the channels using his pace in behind and with the creativity and guile of Arnaut Danjmua and Junior Stanislas, there is no reason why he can’t be the man to fire the side back into some much needed form between now and the end of the season.

The race for the play offs is certainly an exciting one with several teams involved in the battle, but very few of these teams boast a striker the quality of Solanke in their ranks.

Against Watford, he was brilliant. Holding up the play to great affect, helping to bring other players in behind and was a massive boost to the Cherries’ front line who have really struggled without him in the six games he has missed.

Welcome back, @DomSolanke ? pic.twitter.com/B11NHSwx4n

— AFC Bournemouth ? (@afcbournemouth) February 27, 2021

After being out for over three weeks, he was taken off on the 80 minute mark after a brilliant shift and played a key part in the goal, which proved to be the match winner, drawing the defenders out to him, allowing for Arnaut Danjuma to net the only goal of the game.

Solanke was always one of the first names on the team sheet under Tindall and you get the feeling Jonathan Woodgate will be utilising him a lot between now and the end of the season. The Cherries’ boss spoke about his striker’s qualities in his post-match press conference after the Watford win.

“Dom’s been out for three weeks, he hasn’t done much training, it was a bit of a risk at times, if it was a muscle injury I wouldn’t risk it but a slight ankle injury I think you can strap him up and play.”

“He holds it well, he’s got good movement, he’s quick, he’s decent in the air and he’s one of the best strikers in the league.”

Bournemouth have found life tough in recent weeks but claiming all three points against a team in the top six will do them wonders for the run in, and having Solanke back involved will give everyone in the camp a massive boost as they look to secure their place in the top six at the end of the campaign.

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