Bournemouth could again ask the Football League for special dispensation to bring a player in if their injury crisis does not ease up. The Cherries had 11 outfield professionals available to face Shrewsbury on Saturday.

Boss Eddie Howe is hoping time will prove to be the perfect healer.

"Hopefully during this week we can get a couple more players fit. We have a couple who are close, so we will have to assess our options," he told the club's official website.

"We will have to err on the side of caution in training because of the numbers we have. We are working with a squad of just 17 players and we have all seen the effect a few injuries can have.

"Whether or not we go to the Football League to see if we can bring someone in will depend on how the week goes. That's all very well to say that but you still have to find players that are available and that they could fit in. It's a one or two-day job to bring someone in and that alone brings its own problems."