Bournemouth boss drops Leeds United team news hint as Elland Road foe back from injury
Leeds United’s weekend Premier League hosts Bournemouth are in Carabao Cup action this evening.
Bournemouth boss Marco Rose admits he will look to rotate his side against Aston Villa tonight before hosting Leeds United on Saturday.
The Cherries welcome Villa to the south coast for their Carabao Cup fourth round clash this evening with another quick turnaround heading into the weekend. Domestic and European commitments mean Leeds on Saturday will be their seventh and final game in a busy October.
Conversely, Daniel Farke’s side will play just their fourth match of the month at the Vitality Stadium and have had no midweek football since their Carabao Cup defeat to Chelsea on September 9. Bournemouth boss Rose has hinted at midweek rotation in a bid to keep things fresh, with key players rested for the weekend.
“I want to win every game and we want to be competitive in every competition,” Rose said. “Of course we’re going to see another team on Wednesday at home against Villa, but we’re going to have a competitive team, that’s for sure.
“I feel the squad right now is in a really good spot, because I have players on the bench who deserve to play. I only do it if you deserve it. I never throw a game away just to be fresh at the weekend.
“It’s important that we stay healthy. That’s why I have to manage the load, so that we don’t lose any players. If you start to lose two or three players then you can’t rotate anymore.”
One key player still building fitness after a recent return from injury is Eli Junior Kroupi. The young forward underwent surgery on a fractured metatarsal in July and got his first minutes off the bench in last weekend’s 3-0 win at Manchester United.
Kroupi scored home and away against Leeds last season including a 93rd-minute equaliser in the 2-2 draw at Elland Road in September. The 20-year-old’s return to action is being carefully managed but he could be available for a decent period come Saturday.
“Junior needs some more training to respond better to the load,” Cherries boss Rose added. “We’re going to train hard and improve his match time. Everyone at the club, our fans, the players and the technical staff, is really happy to have this guy back.”