AFC Bournemouth boss Scott Parker gave an update on team news ahead of this weekend’s EFL Championship clash with Barnsley.
The Cherries boss revealed the international break has given his squad a chance to ”recharge a little bit” ahead of the resumption of the league calendar on Saturday but that he was watching the games with “one eye closed”
“You watch the games with one eye closed hoping they come back fit and well and obviously a lot of travelling for some of those boys, three games for some of them in a space of 10 days, so of course there is that element.
“On the flip side of that the players that are left behind is a good time to get some good work in, some detailed work to keep working on exactly what we want from them and us to keep moving forward as a team and players and keep progressing it is a bit of a mix really.”
Parker confirmed Mark Travers, Phillip Billing and Adam Smith will return for the visit of the Tykes but that Junior Stanislas has still not recovered from a hamstring injury he picked up in the draw against Blackpool.
“They’ll be back this weekend, they’re back with us so they’re fine, Adam Smith as well comes back.
“Junior Stanislas is still out at this present moment in time – other than that everyone has a fit bill of health.”
David Brooks was called up to the Wales squad but was sent home after an injury he sustained against Hull meant he returned to the Dorset club without getting any game time for the Dragons.
“Hopefully yeah, he [Brooks] should be fine, he has trained the last couple of days,” Parker continued.
“He struggled a little bit after Hull where he picked up an injury and it was reported with Wales and came back due to an injury on his knee, but yeah, he has picked up well”
Bournemouth also have the new arrivals Jamal Lowe and Ryan Christie to welcome into the squad for the game with Barnsley with the head coach saying he is “really pleased” with this deadline day signings.
He added: Yeah, really pleased with both of those signings, they are very good signins for us.
“Both bring good experience, very good quality players, so absolutely delighted that they are both with us.
“They are areas of the pitch we needed to strengthen as well and getting those signatures was massive for us.”