Eli Junior Kroupi returns to Bournemouth training ahead of Manchester United trip

Eli Junior Kroupi has resumed first-team training with Bournemouth ahead of Sunday's Premier League trip to Old Trafford, the club said, marking a return after a metatarsal fracture that kept him out since July. The 20-year-old forward rejoined full practice and could be considered for minutes against Manchester United.

Kroupi suffered a metatarsal fracture during Bournemouth’s pre-season training camp in Austria in July and underwent surgery at the end of that month. He subsequently spent many weeks in rehabilitation and returned to individual on-field work earlier this month before rejoining team sessions. His recovery timeline kept him out of selection for European competition while he was still on the mend.

Sky Sports reporter Mark McAdam has confirmed Kroupi is back exercising with his teammates. Bournemouth head coach Marco Rose said: “Junior is back into the team training, but not on the UEFA list,” Rose explained. “But maybe we can have him for some minutes in Manchester.” Rose has also acknowledged the player’s improvement, fuelling hopes he might make his first appearance of the campaign.

Kroupi is not included on Bournemouth’s UEFA list and therefore cannot be selected for Thursday’s Europa League match against AC Milan. He missed the cut for Bournemouth’s European squad while still recovering, ruling him out of the continental fixture despite his return to team training. That absence from the UEFA list confirms he will not feature in the midweek European tie.

The France Under-21 international is a former Lorient striker who scored 13 league goals last season to finish as Bournemouth’s top scorer. That return made him the club’s leading goalscorer in the league and has attracted attention from many of Europe’s major teams. He is 20 years old.

Earlier reports in France said Kroupi wished to be available for the Manchester United match but that Bournemouth were cautious about rushing him back. The injury occurred while he was taking a shot in a training session, and his current improvement has prompted suggestions the club may reintroduce him gradually.

With Kroupi back in team training, Bournemouth could yet include him for some minutes at Old Trafford on Sunday, according to Marco Rose, providing a timely reinforcement after earlier concerns he might be sidelined until November.