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'Late drop-outs' - Parker provides update on absent duo Solanke and Zemura

Dominic Solanke missed the trip to Man City
Dominic Solanke missed the trip to Man City

SCOTT Parker revealed Dominic Solanke and Jordan Zemura were "late drop-outs" ahead of this afternoon's trip to Manchester City.

The pair, a key duo since Parker's arrival, did not travel to the home of the champions, with Cherries going on to lose 4-0.

Solanke, who had not missed a league game since Parker took charge last summer, was absent due to an ankle injury, while Zemura tested positive for COVID-19.

Asked if the pair withdrew late on, boss Parker told the Daily Echo: "They were late drop-outs. They were drop-outs yesterday morning, so it was disappointing.

"Dom has felt his ankle yesterday morning, so didn’t feel he could play today and obviously didn’t want to risk that.

"And then JZ, felt ill yesterday so it was a bit of a disruption that late on when you’re trying to prepare as well.

"But overall I was pleased with the way we went about it and I was pleased with the players and the group that came on."

Asked how much of a disruption it was to lose the pair, Parker added: "It affects it, of course it does.

"When you have late decisions to make and you’ve done a lot of work in the week to prep for that, but that wasn’t the reason (we lost).

"But of course it wasn’t ideal."