Source: Bournemouth_Echo
Cherries: Howe hoping for Symes return
BOSS Eddie Howe is hoping to have Michael Symes available tomorrow but will avoid rushing the frontman back into action before he is ready. The centre forward has been sidelined by a shoulder injury since the 3-3 draw with Notts County last month. Howe confirmed the summer signing from Accrington Stanley was nearing a return but Cherries are likely to tread carefully with the 26-year-old's comeback bid. Symesy is making good progress and he's in contention for tomorrow, said Howe. But we don't want to push him and lose him because, if he aggravates his shoulder again, we'll be looking at about a two-month spell out. Howe added: Symesy is a very good player and we were delighted with how he was playing. We had just got him fit, because he had a problem in pre-season as well, so to lose him and Brett at the same time, two of our main strikers, was a massive blow. Josh has come in and done really well but, at the moment, we're down to one fully-fit striker. Discussing Cherries' long-term injury victims Mark Molesley and Steve Lovell, Howe said: Moles is making really good progress. We're going to take our time with him but he's moving in the right direction. He's running again on grass and he's kicking a ball, so we're delighted with how he's getting on. Steve Lovell is making good progress from his problem. He's had a few complications. But I think he's going up to Scotland for some treatment which will speed his recovery. He's not running but he's not far away, so we're hopeful we've got him going.