Source: Bournemouth_Echo
Cherries: Howe could rest injured
Cherries boss Eddie Howe faces a delicate balancing act after hinting that he may be forced to rest some of his walking wounded at Northampton tonight.
Howes League Two pacesetters visit Sixfields looking to progress in the Johnstones Paint Trophy this evening (7.45pm).
But with a growing injury list, which now includes defender Scott Guyett, Cherries manager has some difficult decisions to make.
Mark Molesley (foot), Sammy Igoe (knee) and Joe Partington (groin) are all about two weeks away from a return, while Jeff Goulding is still boosting his fitness following a long lay-off.
The news that Guyett is set to go under the knife tomorrow to cure a knee problem only adds to Howes problems.
But despite being without so many players, Howe also recognises that the likes of Steve Fletcher (knee) and Liam Feeney (thigh) would benefit from being taken out of the firing line after going through the pain barrier in recent weeks.
He told the Echo: Weve got a balance at the moment of trying to put a competitive team out while trying to protect people who are carrying injuries.
Well have to have a long, hard look at the team we put out. Hopefully everyone we put out will be fit enough to play, I think thats going to be the key thing.
We may have to juggle it around slightly and try to give one or two people a rest but its going to be very difficult.
One option Howe could be set to explore is handing some untried youngsters the chance to shine in the JPT.
The Cherries boss confirmed that youth team forward Danny Ings and schoolboy striker Jayden Stockley were both likely to come into contention.
Howe also revealed that midfielder Marvin Bartley could be asked to fill in at centre-half after playing in the back four as a substitute at Port Vale on Saturday.
Meanwhile, top scorer Brett Pitman bagged his second award in as many days when he was named League Two player of the month for September on Saturday.
The accolade added to the PFA fans award he was handed last week.
Cherries youth team recorded a 2-0 victory over HereFord in the Alliance Cup on Saturday.
Goals from Ings and Matt Kemble handed Joe Roachs side the verdict at Brockenhurst College.
The hearing of HM Revenue & Customs winding-up petition against Cherries was yesterday adjourned for six weeks.
Pirates promoter Matt Ford is once again offering Cherries fans the chance to watch free speedway.
The Wimborne Road chief welcomed around 400 Cherries supporters for Bournemouth Buccaneers National League play-off semi-final against Weymouth before the clash against Burton Albion at Dean Court.
And Ford is now giving fans |the chance to watch the Buccaneers meeting with a US dream team for nothing on Thursday evening at Poole Stadium (7.30pm start).
The offer is open to all Cherries season ticket holders as well as those with advance tickets for the League Two clash against Chesterfield on Saturday.
Fans simply have to show their tickets at the door to gain free entry.
