Bournemouth's Hamed Traore out for "some time" with malaria

Bournemouth midfielder Hamed Traore is set for a considerable spell on the sidelines after being treated in hospital for malaria.

The Ivory Coast international spent a few weeks in hospital after he fell ill following the November international break.

Although he has since been discharged, Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has revealed that the 23-year-old will be out of action for "some time".

"Right now he is recovering much better," Iraola told reporters ahead of Sunday's Premier League meeting with Tottenham Hotspur.

"The past few weeks have been a tough situation for him personally and, from a sporting perspective, he will be out for some time. We have to make sure that he is OK and he recovers properly. He will be out for some time."

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With Traore set to undergo further medical tests, he will be forced to miss the Africa Cup of Nations, which is set to get underway in his home country next month.

Traore has spent nearly a year with the Cherries after arriving from Sassuolo on an initial loan deal in the last January transfer window.

After making seven Premier League appearances in the second half of last season, Traore converted his loan switch into a permanent transfer ahead of the 2023-24 campaign.

Despite scoring his first goal for the club in August's EFL Cup win over Swansea City, he has found regular game time hard to come by, having made just six competitive appearances this term.

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In addition to Traore, Iraola will go into Sunday's fixture without the services of Lloyd Kelly, Milos Kerkez, Ryan Fredericks, Emiliano Marcondes and Tyler Adams.

Iraola is hoping to have Lewis Cook available after the midfielder missed the 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest with a groin injury.

Bournemouth will head into their final outing of 2023 in a confident mood, having won six of their last seven league games (D1), including each of their previous four fixtures.

The Cherries currently occupy 12th position in the Premier League table after picking up 25 points from their 18 league games.