AFC Bournemouth: Record signing Mings could be out for a year

The 22-year-old, who signed for the Cherries for a reported £8m fee from Ipswich Town in the summer, suffered a knee injury during Bournemouth’s 1-1 draw against Leicester City at the weekend.

Mings, who will have an operation next week, had initially been expected to spend three months out but a post on the defender’s Facebook account stated that he could face up to a year on the sidelines.

A major positive for Cherries was the inclusion of midfielder Harry Arter, who missed the whole of pre-season and the first four Premier League games due to a persistent groin injury.

The 22-year-old is set to be sidelined for between 9-12 months after tearing the anterior and medial ligaments in his knee, reports BBC Radio Solent.

Mings, the 6ft 5in defender, comfortable at both left-back and centre-half, joined Eddie Howe’s men in the summer from Championship side Ipswich Town. Howe also boosted his attacking options with the £4m signing of striker Glenn Murray from Crystal Palace.

Max Gradel is also out for six months, both because of knee injuries.

Bournemouth winger Christian Atsu has been named in the Cherries’ 25-man squad for the first half of the English Premier League season. The club can redeclare the squad in January.