Bournemouth hit with injury nightmare with Joe Rothwell set to miss the start of the season

Scott Parker has revealed Bournemouth midfielder Joe Rothwell is set to miss the start of the season after picking up an injury against Bristol City.

Rothwell made his home debut for the club in the 1-0 defeat to the Championship side and delivered an impressive performance, but it has now surfaced that he sustained a slight strain.

One of just two new arrivals so far this summer, the 27-year-old will be sent for more scans in the coming days, meaning he will be forced to sit out for the Cherries' Premier League opener against Aston Villa.

"In the last game late on, he did a sprint and just felt a little something in his quad," Parker revealed. "He won't be ready for the start of the season.

"It wasn't as bad on scan as maybe we initially thought. We are going to scan him in a week's time to see exactly where it is but he will be missing at the start of the season."

Ryan Fredericks has not featured in the last two fixtures due to an injury of his own, and the head coach believes that the clash against Villa may come too soon for him.

There are positive signs in his recovery, however, with the experienced full-back able to train.

"Ryan Fredericks is on the grass again," Parker added. "Again, next weekend comes a bit too quick for him but he is on the right track."

Rothwell arrived on a free transfer after leaving Blackburn at the end of last season, while Fredericks also joined as a free agent following the expiration of his terms at West Ham.

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