Cherries: McQuoid to miss out on possible start

Cherries boss Eddie Howe has described Josh McQuoid's international call-up as a "double-edged sword". McQuoid is unavailable for Cherries' trip to Bradford City as he is currently on duty with Northern Ireland under-21s. The 19-year-old is away for 10 days in preparation for Northern Ireland's UEFA Under-21 Championship double-header against Germany and Czech Republic. McQuoid is in contention to face holders Germany at The Oval in Belfast tonight and Czech Republic at the Ballymena Showgrounds on Tuesday. And while Howe is delighted the teenager continues to receive international recognition, his absence comes at a time when he was in the frame to start against the Bantams. McQuoid staked his claim when he impressed after coming off the bench during Cherries' FA Cup win at Chesterfield where he set up their third goal. Howe told the Daily Echo: "The timing is a real shame for Josh. He's been very patient and had to wait for his opportunity. "He did really well against Chesterfield and would have been in contention to start against Bradford." Sammy Igoe, who took five stitches to a gashed leg against the Spireites, is rated by Howe as "50-50" to recover in time to face Bradford. Howe added: "We're hoping he is going to be okay but he hasn't trained this week so we will make a late decision on him." Cherries: (from) Jalal, Bradbury, Pearce, Garry, Cummings, Feeney, Hollands, Robinson, Igoe, Pitman, Connell, Fletcher, Bartley, Goulding, Partington, Thomas. Bantams: (from) Eastwood, Ramsden, Williams, Rehman, L O'Brien, Flynn, Bullock, J O'Brien, Neilson, Hanson, Evans, M Boulding, Bateson, Osborne, Sharry, R Boulding, Brandon, Clarke, Horne, McLaughlan. Cherries' FA Youth Cup second round tie against AFC Wimbledon will take place at Kingsmeadow on Wednesday (7.45pm kick-off).

Source: Bournemouth_Echo