Source: Bournemouth_Echo
Cherries: Howe down to just eight fit professionals
BOSS Eddie Howe admitted Cherries' player shortage had hit a new low and then revealed he had just EIGHT fully-fit professionals at his disposal for tonight's clash against Barnet.[LNB] Howe was yesterday planning to approach the Football League for permission to bolster his wafer-thin resources after seeing his squad further depleted ahead of this evening's League Two clash against the Bees at Dean Court (7.45pm).[LNB] The Cherries manager revealed that three of his stars were nursing knocks in the wake of Saturday's draw against Macclesfield, while one additional un-named player is definitely ruled out.[LNB] And that means he is operating with a mere eight players at 100 per cent, with a number of his men set to play through the pain barrier tonight.[LNB] Howe told the Echo: We're very, very thin on the ground and it's probably the worst we've been in terms of injuries this season.[LNB] Again, we're going to have a couple of players playing tonight who are carrying knocks.[LNB] I don't really want to elaborate on it (by naming the players), but this is the worst it's been.[LNB] We'd never force anyone to play who could do themselves serious damage, as I've said before.[LNB] The severe shortage again looks set to force Cherries to request a temporary relaxation of the club's transfer embargo to bring in a loan player.[LNB] Howe could also seek to extend Rhoys Wiggins's loan deal beyond its current 28-day period.[LNB] When asked about the squad-bolstering options open to him, Howe replied: We will go to the league and speak to them but what the response will be, as always, we don't know.[LNB] The Cherries chief added: There isn't a lot you can do about it. We've been in this situation for a long time.[LNB] Our hands are tied and the lads will have to play when they are not right, as long as they are not risking their long-term health.[LNB] Cherries were already without long-term injury victims Mark Molesley, Shaun Cooper and Scott Guyett, while Ryan Garry, Sammy Igoe and Joe Partington have also been sidelined in recent weeks.[LNB]
