Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola greets Illya Zabarnyi following the Premier League match at Portman Road, Ipswich. _(Image: Bradley Collyer/PA Wire)_
THE Cherries will need to rely on their squad depth to continue their fine form in the Premier League, as they have been hit with injuries as the season approaches its busiest period.
This week, the club confirmed that Marcos Senesi and Marcus Tavernier will be out for extended periods of time.
They join Julian Araujo, Alex Scott and Luis Sinisterra in the AFC Bournemouth treatment room as long-term absentees, with each of the five playing important roles for Andoni Iraola’s side when fit.
After playing three games in eight days and recording three wins, over Wolves, Spurs and Ipswich, the [Cherries](http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/sport/cherries/clubnews/) will face West Ham on Monday night, before another set of three games in eight days.
They head to Manchester United on the Sunday before Christmas, before hosting Crystal Palace on Boxing Day and then travelling to Fulham on December 29.
Andoni Iraola told the Daily Echo that having a good squad depth is something that every team needs, not only to give players a rest at busy periods, but also as cover for instances like this, where first team regulars are ruled out through injury.
But the Basque boss said that while his squad is not the biggest, they make up for it in versatility.
Iraola said: “I think now is the moment in the season for the ones especially that don't play in Europe that these challenges of injuries, of players tired, of small things, appear and we will need more players to add to this group.
“We don't have, numbers wise, a very big squad.
“But it's true that we have players who can play in more positions and we can adapt and I think we can make it work even if we have some players that are more long term.
“And I hope it works for us and it's enough.”