Milos Kerkez reacts as Bournemouth provide Lewis Cook surgery update
Milos Kerkez has responded after Bournemouth issued an update on Lewis Cook’s injury situation ahead of the 2025-26 season.
Bournemouth are ramping up their training as they prepare to face Everton at the Premier League Summer Series on Saturday (26 July).
The Cherries kickstarted their pre-season fixtures off with a 2-1 win over Hibernian, courtesy of goals from Evanilson and Philip Billing.
Andoni Iraola will be looking to qualify for Europe this season, after leading the south coast side to a ninth place finish last season.
The extension of Antoine Semenyo’s contract to 2030 will be a great relief in the Bournemouth camp as they continue to be raided for their top stars.
Iraola has already lost Milos Kerkez to Liverpool and Dean Huijsen to Real Madrid and can’t afford to lose anymore first-team starters.
In the 2024-25 campaign, the Cherries suffered with injuries, leading to promoting youth to the bench at some stages.
Bournemouth suffer Cook blow
Posting on the club’s Instagram page (25 July), the Cherries announced that midfielder Cook is set to miss the start of the season.
According to the post, the Englishman “sustained an injury to his MCL during last weekend’s pre-season friendly against Bristol City.”
Crucially, the centre-midfielder does not require surgery, continuing his rehabilitation with the squad in Chicago.
The post added: “Everyone here wishes Lewis [Cook] a speedy recovery and looks forward to seeing him back on the pitch.”
Offering his support, former teammate Kerkez liked the post as the club captain looks to recover quickly.
Philip Billing’s return timely
Football Insider verdict
Although the injury is unfortunate, it does offer an opportunity to 29-year-old Billing.
The Dane spent the second half of the last campaign on loan at Napoli, appearing 10 times in the Serie A.
Set to play in his seventh season for the south coast side, Cook’s injury has opened up a gap in the middle of the park that has to be filled.
| Bournemouth’s centre-midfielders (Premier League 2024-25) | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| Tyler Adams | 28 | 0 | 3 |
| Alex Scott | 20 | 0 | 0 |
| Ryan Christie | 29 | 2 | 3 |
Whilst Ryan Christie, Tyler Adams and Alex Scott will be firm favourites to contend for the two defensive midfield spots under Iraola, reduced competition could benefit Billing.
The Spaniard favours agile and mobile midfielders, qualities the Dane lacks.
However, if he can prove himself just like he did in the first pre-season game, he may enter his manager’s thinking.
Additionally, with two years left on his Bournemouth contract, the number 15 is playing to secure a future on the south coast.
The injury to Cook also may push Bournemouth to turn to the transfer market for a replacement.
Yet, with two arrivals to their name, it doesn’t seem like the Cherries are rushing to sign anyone anytime soon.