Source: Bournemouth_Echo
Cherries: Injuries still a worry despite Edgar deal
INJURIES again look set to heavily influence Eddie Howes team selection as Cherries bid to get their League Two form back on track tomorrow.
The league leaders travel to Port Vale with a four-point advantage over the chasing pack, despite Tuesdays 2-1 defeat at the hands of an impressive Hereford outfit.
However, a number of players were not available at Edgar Street and that is also likely to be the case at Vale Park.
Midfielders Sammy Igoe (knee), Joe Partington (groin), Marvin Bartley (hand) and Liam Feeney (thigh) are all struggling, while key defender Ryan Garry (virus) faces a race to overcome illness.
Mark Molelsey (foot) and Jeff Goulding (ankle), meanwhile, both look set to remain on the sidelines along with long-term absentee Shaun Cooper (hip).
In the past two matches, Cherries mounting injury list has seen them restricted to naming just three substitutes. But assistant boss Jason Tindall yesterday admitted that finding 11 fit players for the starting line-up could soon become an issue.
He told the Echo: At this moment in time, were very, very short.
Weve just got to hope and keep our fingers crossed that the lads are okay and weve got enough players to field tomorrow.
Were down to the bare minimum and weve just got to keep our fingers crossed and pray that some of the lads are okay to go out there and play.
Weve just about managed to stick 11 players out there and one or two subs, but if this game had been last night wed have been struggling to field an 11, let alone an 11 and a couple of subs.
The extreme lack of players at manager Howes disposal is threatening to undermine his teams brilliant start to the season. The situation also means he has had to use his number two on the bench this term.
Its a situation we dont want to be in and one wed like to avoid, said Tindall.
But while we are so short on numbers and, with the current situation with the Football League and the restrictions theyve put on us, its difficult for everybody.
So Ive got to train because with the way we are at the minute we might need me in an emergency situation.
Hopefully not, but Ive got to keep myself ticking over just in case.
Tindall, with a grin, added: Mike Dowding (the kitman) is training as well.
One positive, however, is that West Ham loanee Anthony Edgar trained with Cherries yesterday and is available for the trip to Burslem.
The Football League, despite Cherries ongoing transfer embargo, granted the club permission to sign an additional player to ease the burden on Howes injury-hit squad.
Cherries season ticket holders have been invited to a frank discussion regarding the clubs future with Howe, Tindall and director Adam Murry.
Fans were informed of the meeting, which is to be held on Monday at Dean Court from 7pm, earlier this week.
Port Vale: (from) Martin, Owen, McCombe, Collins, Griffith, K Taylor, Fraser, Loft, Jarrett, Dodds, R Taylor, Richards, Stockley, McCrory, Haldane, Yates, Horsfield, Anyon.
Cherries: (from) Jalal, Bradbury, Guyett, Pearce, Cummings, Feeney, Hollands, Robinson, Bartley, Fletcher, Pitman, Connell, Tindall, McQuoid, Edgar.
