AFC Bournemouth take on Birmingham City on Wednesday night and Scott Parker provided an update on team news ahead of the Championship clash.
Victory over Forest on Saturday was marred by the sending-off of Daivd Brooks which has added to an already depleted squad at Vitality Stadium.
There is some more positive news however on the availability of Ben Pearson and Junior Stanislas. Parker confirmed the pair will be available for the tie and will be a welcome addition to the squad after missing the start of the campaign.
“Ben Pearson and Junior Stanislas hopefully will be available or certainly around it and involved” revealed the Bournemouth head coach.
Steve Cook, Arnaut Danjuma and Jack Stacey will be given until tomorrow before Parker makes a final decision on whether or not the trio will take part at St Andrew’s.
“Steve Cook and Danjuma have trained but obviously have been out a lot longer, so in terms of work loads and where they are they are probably in a little bit of a different situation,” he continued.
“Not to say they wont be involved, we will have to see tomorrow on that one and how they pull through.”
“I am not sure on Jack Stacey at the present moment in time,” Parker added.
“Again he has done some light work but we will have to see.
“Obviously, in the situation of what we are in, we are trying to push him as hard as we can – we will have to see nearer the time on that.”
But Adam Smith will “not make the trip” on Wednesday night after dropping out of Saturday’s matchday squad with an illness the Cherries boss confirmed.
The Bournemouth head coach also gave an update on long term absentee, Lewis Cook, stating the midfielder is “flying” in his recovery from an ACL injury but that the club need to “respect the injury” and are cautious about rushing the England midfielder back into action.
The Cherries injury list has meant Parker has had to make decisions on player fitness “later than normal” and said the squad is “stretched” ahead of Wednesday night’s game..
With so many doubts ahead of the trip to Birmingham it will be another opportunity for the academy players to step and grab their chance in the first team.