Marco Rose revealed Bournemouth "still need to build up" Junior Kroupi to full match sharpness before he can be considered for a place back in the starting line-up. 

Kroupi missed the first three months of the season after undergoing surgery to repair a foot injury he sustained in pre-season, having enjoyed a sensational debut campaign for the Cherries. 

The now 20-year-old registered 13 goals across 35 appearances in all competitions, helping Bournemouth qualify for their maiden season in European competition. 

Kroupi (13) also broke the record for the most Premier League goals scored by a teenager in their debut season, surpassing Robbie Fowler in 1993-94 and Robbie Keane in 1999-00 (both 12), which saw a number of clubs register their interest over the summer. 

Arsenal, Tottenham, Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona were all linked with a move for the Frenchman, but his injury setback scuppered any chance of securing a move away.

He has slowly made his return to the fold, coming off the bench in Bournemouth's 3-0 win over Manchester United and Wednesday's win over Aston Villa in the EFL Cup. 

Ahead of Saturday's visit to Leeds United on Saturday, Rose told reporters: "We still need to build up his game time.

"I'm really happy to have him back, to have his quality, but he knows that he has to be patient in this situation to not get in a difficult situation with another injury.

"We need to get him fit, in a good spot with more and more match time in between good sessions of training."

Limbering up for Leeds https://t.co/W1kNB3p0pV

— AFC Bournemouth (@afcbournemouth) October 30, 2026

Bournemouth are also without midfielder Alex Scott, but he is set to return shortly after sustaining a thigh injury while on international duty with England. 

However, even with Kroupi and Scott unavailable, Bournemouth have been in sensational form, winning their last five matches across all competitions with clean sheets. 

The Cherries last won three Premier League games in a row between August and September last season, but they have never done so without conceding in the competition.

"Even in pre-season I felt we are in a good way and in a good direction," Rose said of Bournemouth's recent run of results. 

"The first games were good, but we just missed some situations and made some individual mistakes to concede easy goals and that is why we didn't get results.

"These days, most games are going in our direction, but it's hard work, and we have to continue this hard work."