Emile Smith Rowe could return for Fulham’s match against Bournemouth on Sunday (Getty)
Marco Silva says Emile Smith Rowe remains a doubt for Fulham’s Premier League match against Bournemouth on Sunday.
The 24-year-old’s last appearance was as a substitute in Fulham’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool at Anfield on December 14 and he missed both the draw against Southampton as well as the 2-1 win away to Chelsea on Boxing Day.
Before the victory against Chelsea, Silva indicated that Smith Rowe would likely be available for the game against Bournemouth at Craven Cottage this weekend.
However, the Fulham manager is now waiting until after Saturday’s training session in order to make a call over Smith Rowe’s fitness.
Asked about Smith Rowe’s availability for the game against Bournemouth, Silva said: ‘We don’t know yet.
‘It’s a decision we are going to take on Saturday as we have another session.
‘We have to keep assessing, not just the players who were out in the last game, but also the ones that played.’
Emile Smith Rowe’s last appearance was in Fulham’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool on December 14 (Shutterstock)
Both Fulham and Bournemouth are unbeaten in their last six games and Silva says his side face a tough test against a ‘top level’ attack.
‘What a battle it is going to be, Andoni Iraola is doing a really good job there,’ Silva said.
‘Our Bournemouth games are always really tight and competitive, and this is going to be another one.
‘They’re a really physical side, direct too, and their frontline is top level. They have a really quality side, they are intense.
‘It’s going to be a great challenge for us but we are going to make it a great challenge for them too.’
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