AFC Bournemouth boss Scott Parker has given an update on player injuries ahead of the Doset club’s FA Cup fourth round tie with Boreham Wood on Sunday evening.
AFC Bournemouth boss Scott Parker has given an update on player injuries ahead of the Doset club’s FA Cup fourth round tie with Boreham Wood on Sunday evening.
There is welcome news for midfielder Lewis Cook who is “back amongst the squad” and looks likely to play some part as the Cherries welcome the high-flying National League side to Vitality Stadium.
Parker Said: “Lewis Cook will be back amongst the squad, he will be in the squad for us - he will be able to play.”
However, Cook looks likely to be the only player to return to the squad with the weekend tie coming too soon for defenders Chris Mepham and Ethan Laird.
Parker continued: “Chris Mepham, it was his first day back training today, fully training with the squad.
“Maybe the weekend comes a little bit too quick. I will have to see how he comes in tomorrow morning after fully training with the squad.
“Ethan Laird still won't be available.”
The Cherries welcomed five new signings on Monday’s transfer deadline day and Parker revealed at least two of his latest acquisitions will not be available for the cup tie: “Out of the new signings Kieffer Moore won’t be available and obviously Dembele is cup tied.”
With regards to the other three, Parker explained the club needs to assess the trio’s fitness and will make a late call on whether to include Nat Phillips, Todd Cantwell or Freddie Woodman in the match day squad.
“And the other boys I will just have to see where we are with them really,” explained the head coach.
“They have had two or three days training with us so we are getting their information from their previous clubs just to see the amount of work they have done.
“We will just have to see how they come through the next three or four days to see if they will be ready to play or whether there will be a little bit of a risk and we will make that call a little nearer to Sunday.”
With regards to long term absentees Adam Smith and Junior Stanislas, Parker gave an optimistic assessment of the two veterans who are expected to still play a crucial part in the club’s promotion push and will be named in the club’s 25 man squad later today.
Parker added: “Yeah those players will still be amongst it.
“Adam is doing very, very well and hopefully he will be three weeks or along that sort of timescale.
“Junior a little bit longer but they are two of the longer term injuries who will be amongst it and hopefully they can help us for the run-in.