Iraola on injuries, expectations and Palace

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has been speaking to the media before Boxing Day’s Premier League game at home against Crystal Palace (15:00).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

Iraola expects to have the same squad available as he did for the win over Manchester United on Sunday despite picking up some “niggles” at Old Trafford: “I don’t expect anyone new – I also hope that we don’t lose anyone.”
Adam Smith will be evaluated following his withdrawal at half-time while Luis Sinisterra, Alex Scott, Julian Araujo, Marcos Senesi and Marcus Tavernier were all absent from the 3-0 win.
He was not drawn into commenting on a potential European push: “I want to repeat what I tell you every day – I don’t believe in the long term goals when we are not half way through the season. Because we are higher [in the league table], it is not a big change.”
He says his comments on getting too excited is “not a message, it is what I believe”.
On the challenge posed by Palace: “They are getting better results and performing better. You can see the level of the players they have, a load of players in the England squad, it’s going to be difficult.”
Asked what the next step is for the Cherries, Iraola said: “I want us to be as more efficient as we can, as long as we continue creating chances and having the performances we’re having, we’ll be fine.”

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