Ryan Christie Injury: Too early to play Friday

Christie (groin) has resumed team training this week but it is too early for him to play on Friday for the season opener against Liverpool, coach Andoni Iraola said in the press conference. "Ryan has been training this week with us, which is positive. It's too early for him to play as he hasn't done any pre-season. He hasn't done a lot of things for a lot of weeks, so it's too early - but it's good to have him back on the pitch with the group."

Christie resumed team training this week as expected but it is too early for him to make the match squad on Friday for the season opener against Liverpool since he has not done any pre-season following his rehabilitation from surgery since April. That said, Christie will likely build on his fitness in the coming weeks to slowly get back to the match squads and reclaim his starting role in the midfield in a few weeks time. Until then, Alex Scott is expected to get a larger role for the Cherries.