#PLStories- Gary O’Neil hopes for big impact from Joe Rothwell #AFCB

GARY O’Neil hopes Joe Rothwell can show “what a good player he can be” in the second half of the season, after a frustrating start to life on the south coast. Cherries pursued Rothwell for some time before finally snapping him up as a free agent last summer, after his contract at Blackburn Rovers expired. The midfielder impressed during pre-season, only to be struck down by a quad injury on the eve of the Premier League campaign. Rothwell had to wait until October to finally make his Cherries bow, with further substitute appearances following either side of the World Cup break. With Lewis Cook and Philip Billing both ruled out through injury, O’Neil turned to Rothwell, handing the 28-year-old his first Premier League start last time out. He played 75 minutes of the 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest and will hope to keep his place when Cherries head to Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday (3pm). Discussing Rothwell’s time at Cherries so far and what he has made of his behind the scenes since his arrival, boss O’Neil told the Daily Echo: “Joe’s got quality, of course. “He’s been unfortunate, because he suffered a fairly significant injury early when he arrived and Lewis Cook and Jefferson Lerma have done well as a pairing in midfield. “So it’s been hard for Joe to get minutes. “It’s sometimes the way it goes. You suffer an injury at the wrong time, the two that end up playing do well and you have to wait your time. “But he’s trained well, he still shows his quality, he’s a good lad, I get on really well with him. “Hopefully Joe starts to get more minutes and shows everyone what a good player he can be.” Reflecting on Rothwell’s performance against Forest, O’Neil added: “I thought he brought us some quality with the ball, at times. “I thought he made some nice passes, tried to get on it, worked his socks off. “So I’m pleased for Joe, because obviously he’s had to be patient. “I thought he did well, against a good Nottingham Forest side. “A lot of the boys put in a real, good performance that they should be proud of.” Rothwell, who began his career at Manchester United, dropped down the leagues to get game-time, featuring in League One with Oxford United before four seasons in the second tier at Blackburn. His dribbling and the ability to carry the ball up the pitch were a big reason in Cherries bringing him to the club, something Marcus Tavernier excelled at, albeit in a different position, prior to his recent injury. The former Middlesbrough man is unlikely to return in time for face Brighton, as he continues with individual training work following his hamstring problem. Asked if Rothwell can provide some of what Cherries miss in Tavernier’s absence, O’Neil said: “He’s very different to Tav. But Joe Rothwell has strengths, he can carry the ball. “He plays in a very different position, but we will obviously use Joe Rothwell and his strengths the best we can. “Of the boys that are fit, they’re all very, very important. They all know they have a huge part to play moving forward. Joe Rothwell will be important to us.”