It’s safe to say that things haven’t gone to plan for Manchester United loanee Ethan Laird since he joined Bournemouth in January.
After an impressive and prosperous first half of the campaign in the Championship at Swansea City, under Russell Martin, who he played for during his loan spell with MK Dons last season, Laird has endured a frustrating second half of the season.
In his last appearance for Swansea on 11 December, the 20-year-old picked up a thigh injury and his return to full fitness was slower than expected.
Just when the right-back was returning to fitness and the Cherries had earmarked the FA Cup clash against Boreham Wood in early February as his debut date, the youngster sustained a hamstring issue.
Laird finally made his debut for Scott Parker’s side three weeks later as a second half substitute against Stoke City.
The following week Laird once again came off the bench and it looked like he was set to capitalise on Adam Smith’s three-game ban.
But Parker confirmed only three days later that Laird was left out for ‘selection reasons’ in Bournemouth’s draw with Peterborough.
Aside from a spot on the bench against Reading, Laird wasn’t part of the matchday squads for Bournemouth’s other two games since Parker chose to take him out of the limelight.
When asked where he felt Laird needed to improve, Parker told DorsetLive: “It’s physical really.
“He has been out for a long, long time. And you probably don’t really get a real gauge on that until you get into the game.
“He trained a lot, but probably just needed a little bit, or I felt, needed a little bit more work. He has trained a little bit more and we are in a better position. I think Ethan is.
“I am understanding where he currently is and we are both on the same page of where he needs to get to, in terms of performing at the level Ethan can.”
After suffering two hamstring injuries in 2020 which derailed his chances of getting further first team chances under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, there are concerns whether Laird’s body can hold up, particularly at such a young age.
A report from DorsetLive states: ‘Bournemouth’s medical staff have required carefulness in easing and gradually building his workload, with the decision to take him out of the intensity of matches in quick succession a factor in his omission.’
The international break has come at a critical point in Laird making his time on the south coast a success.
The two-week break between games gives Laird the opportunity to work closely with Parker and the sports science team to allay his manager’s fitness concerns and turn his Bournemouth fortunes around.
With just 10 league games left and Bournemouth chasing automatic promotion to the Premier League, Laird is up against the clock trying to fight his way back into consideration.
After the rave reviews he received during his time in Wales, earlier in the campaign, Laird is arguably going through the most difficult and challenging spell of his fledging career.
He needs to rise to the challenge. His six-month spell at the Vitality Stadium will have undoubtedly toughened him up and made him realise where he needs to improve.
Joining a Bournemouth side that was looking to get back into the top-flight was always going to be a step up for Ethan Laird and hopefully he comes out of this testing period having learnt a lot and more importantly a better player.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
