Source: Bournemouth_Echo
Cherries: Being on the mend is on the minds of duo
Cherries boss Eddie Howe has highlighted the big psychological hurdles facing long-term injury victims Shaun Cooper and Mark Molesley.[LNB] Cooper yesterday hit the comeback trail when he had his first taste of match action this season during a reserve outing against Plymouth Argyle.[LNB] The 26-year-old, who played the first half of Cherries' 1-0 defeat by the Pilgrims, had been sidelined since undergoing major surgery to his hip in the summer.[LNB] Molesley's rehabilitation following a foot operation in January is less advanced and Howe readily admits his return this season would be a huge bonus.[LNB] However, although the pair are on the mend, Howe is mindful of the fact they will both need to tread carefully physically and mentally following such lengthy absences.[LNB] He told the Daily Echo: You don't just suddenly walk back in and pick up everything straight away. We will give them all the time they need.[LNB] In an ideal world, you would have two or three reserve games, maybe more, before you even thought about putting on a first-team shirt. Once you put on that shirt, you are judged like everyone else and it can be quite unforgiving if you rush back too soon.[LNB] Howe insisted Cherries' ongoing transfer embargo would have no bearing on when Cooper and Molesley would be in contention for the first team, likewise with defender Scott Guyett, who has been out for two months with a knee problem.[LNB] The embargo won't change my decision at all, said Howe. I will be guided by the players because they know their bodies better than I do. They will be considered for selection when they think they are fit and confident enough.[LNB] We would love them to be fit and available because they have all got a big part to play. But we will bring them back into the first-team environment when they are ready and not a minute sooner. They have all had serious injuries, Shaun and Mark probably more so than Scottie. We can't rush them or put any pressure on them. It can only be when they feel ready.[LNB] Shaun is by far the furthest down the line. He has joined in training and has almost done a mini pre-season. He was a big player for us last season and has been out for a long time so we will be guided by him.[LNB] Mark has only just started light jogging and still has a fair bit to do. He is a long way away and people shouldn't be expecting to see him before the end of the season. If we did, it would be a huge bonus for us.[LNB] Scottie has been running and is making progress. I don't think he is too far away and it's just a case of stepping up gradually and making sure he is fit. He is going to need to go through a mini pre-season himself.[LNB] ¢ First teamers Joe Partington, Josh McQuoid and Sammy Igoe also lined up for Cherries against Plymouth yesterday.[LNB] Cherries: Thomas, Stephenson, Holmes, Cooper (Strugnell, h-t), Partington, Magookin (Oldring, 72), McQuoid (Green, 62), Igoe, Kemble, Hill, MacKay-Steven.[LNB]
