Cherries: Strikers' fitness a concern for Eddie

03 September 2010 07:00
BOSS Eddie Howe is hoping to avoid a striker shortage as he waits on the fitness of in-form pair Michael Symes and Josh McQuoid.[LNB] The duo, impressive up front together against Tranmere Rovers and Notts County, sat out Tuesday night's JPT defeat due to shoulder and calf problems, respectively.[LNB] And with long-term absentees Steve Fletcher (heel) and Steve Lovell (ankle) on different stages of the comeback trail, Howe is facing the prospect of taking on Huddersfield Town tomorrow (3pm) with a dearth of fully-fit senior frontmen.[LNB] When asked whether he could be without all of his senior strikers at the Galpharm Stadium, Howe admitted: It's a possibility, which is a position we wouldn't want to be in.[LNB] Both Michael and Josh have been excellent when they've played and we'd like to get them both fit. We'll wait and see who's available.[LNB] Josh is making good progress from his calf problem and Symesey is making slower progress from his shoulder problem. Whether or not either will be involved, we don't know yet.[LNB] Big Steve Fletcher is close. He's getting closer all the time. He hasn't trained yet so we're not sure quite where he is until he trains, but he's knocking on the door.[LNB] Steve Lovell is still some distance off.[LNB] Rookies Jayden Stockley and Lyle Taylor both featured in the midweek defeat at the hands of Torquay United and could come into contention this weekend.[LNB] Howe said: Lyle Taylor is getting fitter all the time he's been out for a long time with his ankle problem.[LNB] I think people saw on Tuesday what he can bring to the table when he's fit and ready.[LNB] Jayden did well on Tuesday. All things considered, I thought he was excellent.[LNB] When you consider where he is in his development we still feel he's got a lot of potential and a lot of improving to do I thought it was a good display.[LNB] For a 16-year-old to come in like that on his home debut with a lot of pressures involved, I thought he acquitted himself really well and it all bodes well for the future for him.[LNB] Howe revealed he could still look to bolster his attacking resources with a loan.[LNB] He added: The loan window opens again next week and we'll have a better idea of how injuries are then as well.[LNB] There's always pressure to bring in players. But the worst thing you can do is bring in a player and then, perhaps, regret doing it.[LNB] We want to make sure we select the right one to add to the group, who are fantastic characters.[LNB] Meanwhile, goalkeeper Dan Thomas is still sidelined with a knee injury.[LNB] Terriers: (from) Smithies, Peltier, P Clarke, McCombe, Ridehalgh, Pilkington, Gudjonsson, Kay, Roberts, Lee, Rhodes, Garner, Novak, Johnson, Croft, Atkinson, T Robinson, Bennett.[LNB] Cherries: (from) Jalal, Purches, Pearce, Cooper, Garry, Wiggins, Cummings, Feeney, Bartley, A Robinson, Hollands, Arter, Pugh, McQuoid, Symes, Bradbury, Stockley, Taylor, Ings.[LNB]

Source: Bournemouth_Echo