Source: Bournemouth_Echo
Cherries: Howe won't rush Cooper
BOSS Eddie Howe insists Cherries will continue to tread carefully with Shaun Cooper as the key man prepares to make his long-awaited return to action.[LNB] The influential utility man, a former Cherries captain, is set to step up his recovery when Cherries' reserves travel to face Plymouth Argyle at Tiverton Town FC this afternoon (2pm).[LNB] Cooper has been sidelined since undergoing serious hip surgery in the summer, but after a painstaking rehabilitation programme overseen by physio Steve Hard and conditioning coach Jon Dalzell, he is ready to enter the final phase of his comeback mission.[LNB] He is set to feature for about half-an-hour against the Pilgrims as he bids to regain sufficient fitness to play a part in Cherries' promotion push.[LNB] But Howe admitted the club could not afford to rush the former Pompey trainee.[LNB] He said: I'd love to have Shaun back involved but what we have to make sure is we don't push him too early and he breaks down.[LNB] He's had a long time out and it's a serious injury he had. We will wait until he feels ready.[LNB] We won't push him because that wouldn't be fair on the lad.[LNB] He's done well to get back and he's looked good in training, but it's a case of him now building up his match fitness.[LNB] I think he's still going to be two, three or four weeks away.[LNB] A top performer during last season's great escape, Cooper would hand Cherries a boost should he return in time to bolster the wafer-thin Dean Court squad during the League Two run-in.[LNB] The other professionals set to feature against Plymouth are Joe Partington, Josh McQuoid and Sammy Igoe.[LNB] Cherries reserves: (from) Thomas, Stephenson, Cooper, Partington, Holmes, McQuoid, Igoe, Mackay-Steven, Magookin, Strong, Kemble, Hill, Strugnell, Oldring, Green.[LNB]
