Source: Bournemouth_Echo
Cherries: Cooper's on the comeback trail
PATIENT Shaun Cooper is hopeful he can boost Cherries' promotion push as he carefully enters the final stages of his painstaking comeback mission.[LNB] The cultured utility man has yet to feature this season after undergoing major hip surgery in the summer but he is set to make his long-awaited return to action for the club's reserves at Plymouth Argyle on Tuesday.[LNB] Having seen his initial target of a new year return hampered, partly by the big freeze, Cooper has been forced to watch from the sidelines since his last Cherries appearance 11 months ago.[LNB] But after a lengthy rehabilitation programme overseen by Cherries physio Steve Hard and conditioning coach Jon Dalzell Cooper looks on course to hand manager Eddie Howe a big boost.[LNB] He is scheduled to up his bid for fitness by turning out at Plymouth and the talented 26-year-old will use that as a springboard as he tries to help Cherries during their League Two run-in.[LNB] Cooper, one of the key players in last season's relegation escape, told the Echo: If I don't have any more setbacks, I'll definitely be available for the squad with a few games left over.[LNB] It would be nice just to get involved and, hopefully, play a small part if the chance becomes available.[LNB] We want to get promoted and do it automatically and the lads are all really focused on it.[LNB] Training has been different class. The tempo and the work rate of the lads is brilliant you can see why we've done so well this season.[LNB] It's just good to be a part of it every day again.[LNB] Cooper has been training with Howe's squad in recent weeks and is coming to the end of what he described as a pre-season programme with Dalzell.[LNB] The influential player, who said he was very optimistic his hip would be okay when he returns to action, added: I'm feeling good. I'm taking it each day at a time and don't want to get too far ahead of myself, but everything is feeling all right at the moment.[LNB] I've had to be patient but it's the only way really. Maybe I did a bit too much, too soon to start with when I was able to walk again.[LNB] We've really taken our time with it to get everything right. I can feel the progression, so that's good.[LNB] I'm only planning to do half an hour next week. I'd like to do more but I don't want to over-do it. If I manage to get through the half-hour okay, I'll be more than happy.[LNB] Fellow long-term injury victims Mark Molesley and Scott Guyett have both started running.[LNB] Captain Jason Pearce, who misses today's League Two clash at Grimsby Town (3pm), is expected to be out for about another two weeks with his fractured toe.[LNB]
