Tokelo Rantie is back in South Africa nursing an injury that not only scuppered his chance of a move away from English Premier League Bournemouth in the January transfer window‚ but also potentially makes him a doubt for March’s African Nations Cup qualifier double-header against Cameroon.
Rantie limped out of an FA Cup tie against Birmingham City on January 9‚ ironically his first start of the season‚ and the injury is worse than The Cherries initially feared.
The 25-year-old is back home doing his rehabilitation and coach Eddie Howe admitted that were it not for the injury‚ he would likely have left the south Coast club in this window.
“TK took a blow to the leg against Birmingham which we didn’t think was too serious at the time. But a scan revealed a slight problem with one of his bones‚” Howe said.
“He is back home in South Africa now and can’t do anything for a couple of weeks. He will then start his rehab and we anticipate he will be out for six weeks.”
Addressing his potential exit from the club‚ Howe said of Rantie: “He is not going to go anywhere at the moment due to the injury.”
The next battle for Rantie is to work his way into Bournemouth’s 25-man squad for the remainder of the Premier League season.
Each club must register that amount with the league and players who do not make the cut cannot play in the second half of the campaign.
With Bournemouth having signed two strikers in January who are regarded as likely first choice‚ it means Rantie is now likely sixth — or perhaps even seventh — choice striker at the club when all are fit.
If Rantie does not make the list then there is the possibility he could be loaned out for the remainder of the season.
English clubs from outside of the Premier League can loan players from top-flight clubs even outside of the usual transfer window‚ provided they do so before March 25.
Rantie’s schedule for rehabilitation will also cut it fine with a return to full fitness in time for Bafana’s crucial Nations Cup qualifiers home and away to Cameroon between in March late.
Shakes Mashaba’s side must win both to stand a chance of reaching the finals in Gabon next year and Rantie would be seen as a key part of their plans.
Lengthy rehab for Rantie in South Africa
Rantie limped out of an FA Cup tie against Birmingham City on January 9‚ ironically his first start of the season‚ and the injury is worse than The Cherries initially feared.
The 25-year-old is back home doing his rehabilitation and coach Eddie Howe admitted that were it not for the injury‚ he would likely have left the south Coast club in this window.
“TK took a blow to the leg against Birmingham which we didn’t think was too serious at the time. But a scan revealed a slight problem with one of his bones‚” Howe said.
“He is back home in South Africa now and can’t do anything for a couple of weeks. He will then start his rehab and we anticipate he will be out for six weeks.”
Addressing his potential exit from the club‚ Howe said of Rantie: “He is not going to go anywhere at the moment due to the injury.”
The next battle for Rantie is to work his way into Bournemouth’s 25-man squad for the remainder of the Premier League season.
Each club must register that amount with the league and players who do not make the cut cannot play in the second half of the campaign.
With Bournemouth having signed two strikers in January who are regarded as likely first choice‚ it means Rantie is now likely sixth — or perhaps even seventh — choice striker at the club when all are fit.
If Rantie does not make the list then there is the possibility he could be loaned out for the remainder of the season.
English clubs from outside of the Premier League can loan players from top-flight clubs even outside of the usual transfer window‚ provided they do so before March 25.
Rantie’s schedule for rehabilitation will also cut it fine with a return to full fitness in time for Bafana’s crucial Nations Cup qualifiers home and away to Cameroon between in March late.
Shakes Mashaba’s side must win both to stand a chance of reaching the finals in Gabon next year and Rantie would be seen as a key part of their plans.
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