By Jonathan Nagioff (@jonathannagioff)
AFC Bournemouth have been dealt a huge blow this morning with midfielder Junior Stanislas ruled out for the season after suffering knee ligament damage.
The 28-year-old has endured an injury-hampered season and will not feature for the Cherries again this term, after boss Eddie Howe confirmed fears that he damaged his knee ligaments, after limping out of Saturday’s dramatic 2-2 draw with Watford.
Stanislas has netted 5 times this season, including a stunning free kick against relegation-bound West Bromwich Albion last month, as well as in the emphatic 3-0 victory over last season’s Premier League champions, Chelsea in January.
The Cherries remain in a strong position in the Premier League table, with six games left to play, sitting nine points above the relegation zone in 10th place, but the injury will rule Stanislas out of potentially crucial fixtures against the likes of South Coast neighbours, Southampton and starting this Saturday with Crystal Palace travelling to the Vitality Stadium.
It remains to be seen who Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe replaces the winger with, however forward Jermain Defoe will be confident of staking a claim in the starting line up after his injury time equaliser against Watford last time out.
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