- Hamed Junior Traore contracted malaria on international duty in November
- He has not featured in a matchday squad since the 2-2 draw with Aston Villa
- Chris Sutton and Ian Ladyman give their best sporting moments of the year on It’s All Kicking Off
Bournemouth midfielder Hamed Junior Traore is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after contracting malaria on international duty, according to reports.
The Ivory Coast star, who initially signed for the Cherries on loan in January before completing a permanent move to the Vitality Stadium last summer, fell ill with the life-threatening disease and was hopsitalised during the international break in November.
He has since been discharged from hospital but is continuing to suffer with the after effects of the condition and will undergo further tests, Sky Sports has revealed.
The 23-year-old is now reportedly recovering at home.
Having contracted the disease, Traore has not been called up by Ivory Coast for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations, which is being hosted in his homeland and starts on January 13.
Bournemouth’s Hamed Junior Traore contracted malaria on international duty in November
Traore, seen above tackling Wolves’ Raul Jimenez, is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines
Traore has not been in a Premier League matchday squad since the Cherries’ 2-2 draw with Aston Villa on December 3, when he sat on the bench as an unused substitute at the Vitality Stadium.
His last appearance came at home in Bournemouth’s 2-1 defeat by Liverpool in the League Cup, before he went away on international duty.
The Ivorian, who has only chalked up three league appearances so far this season, scored his first goal for the club in Bournemouth’s 3-2 League Cup win over Swansea in August.
The Cherries have coped well in Traore’s absence, winning six of their last seven games in the Premier League, with their only dropped points coming in the 2-2 draw with Aston Villa.
Bournemouth’s stars embrace Traore after he scores his first goal for the club against Swansea
Tuesday marked Bournemouth’s latest Premier League triumph, as Andoni Iraola’s side thumped Fulham 3-0 to move up to 12th spot in the table.
During their impressive seven-match run, Dominic Solanke has scored eight goals and continued his purple patch with a well-taken penalty against the Cottagers.
With no clear timeframe on Traore’s recovery, the Ivorian will continue to support his side from home as they move up the Premier League, with Tottenham away up next on Sunday.
Spurs, who head into the clash with several absentees of their own, suffered a 4-2 defeat against Brighton on Thursday evening.
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