Smith out but Billing fit to play
PHILIP Billing’s impact on Town is not to be underestimated.
Just 16 years old when he joined the club in January 2013, by the time he left for Bournemouth sixand-a-half years later for a club record fee of something north of
BOURNEMOUTH right-back Adam Smith will not be fit to face Huddersfield Town today after manager Scott Parker confirmed he is seeing a specialist over a knee injury.
But former Terrier Philip Billing should be available for selection despite going off against Stoke City on Tuesday evening.
Smith is usually a first-team regular for the Cherries but has missed both of their last two games and will need further medical evaluation before he can return to action.
Parker told the Bournemouth Daily Echo: “Adam Smith is seeing a specialist. He is probably going to be a couple of weeks.
“Where he is at this moment in time, it may be a little bit longer – probably in the next couple of weeks, to try to settle a slight issue he’s got on his knee.
“We will try to settle that down and then see how he comes when we start ramping up his work a little bit – see where he is after that.
“That’s a little bit of a disappointment.”
Midfielder Billing has been in sensational form for the league leaders this season, racking up six goals in 13 appearances.
The Danish international went off in injury time in Bournemouth’s 1-0 win at Stoke City in midweek, but at his pre-match press conference Parker confirmed: “Phil’s fine, he’s all good.”
Former Leeds United midfielder Lewis Cook is unlikely to feature despite completing 90 minutes for Bournemouth’s development side on Wednesday evening after a seven-month layoff with an ACL injury.
Parker said: “There is another [development] game coming next week so there is an option there to really give him the confidence, and for myself to see him, by getting those match minutes under his belt.
“Game time is crucial. He’s probably another game away from then forcing himself into the team and being selectable.”