Cherries travel to Bury

AFC Bournemouth travel to Bury with their unbeaten run under new manager Eddie Howe still intact.

The Cherries were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Stevenage on Tuesday night and although they couldn't make it five league home wins in succession, the result did make it nine games unbeaten since the announcement that Eddie Howe was returning to Dean Court last month.

Bury meanwhile have also improved under a new manager.

Kevin Blackwell took over at Bury at the end of September. They were bottom of the League One table with just three points from eight games.

They continued that poor run without a win by another five games (13 games in total), but once they found that first win their form has improved with just one defeat in six (4 victories) lifting them off the bottom of the table.

AFC Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe told afcb.co.uk...

'...They have had an injection of confidence since Kevin Blackwell came in and they will be looking to build on their result at Scunthorpe on Tuesday. They are fighting at the wrong end of the table, but have had some great results and this will be a tough test for us.

"The league table will show that there is a gap between us, but games don`t come more difficult than this. It will be a real scrap and we will have to make sure we do all the off the ball stuff well.

"It is the sort of game where our quality has got to be shown. We will have to work extremely hard and the players showed on Tuesday that they will do that by putting a really good shift in. If we can get that every week with the quality of players on the pitch that we have, then that can be enough to win games."

Bury will continue without defender Adam Lockwood, while David Healy (calf) and Andy Bishop (foot) are doubtful.

Gregg Wylde is expected to be involved after his loan move from Bolton.

Former Under 21's international for Scotland, Sweeney features at the heart of the Bury side in midfield.

So far this season he has made 17 appearances in all competitions.

With the emergency loan window closing on Thursday evening, four players departed Dean Court on temporary basis and so will not be available for the Cherries.

Wesley Thomas joined Championship side Blackpool, Mark Molesley joined League Two side Plymouth, Josh Wakefield joined fellow League Two side Dagenham & Redbridge and Bailey Cargill joined AFC Totton on work experience.

Dutch striker Frank Demouge and midfielder Richard Hughes are also expected to miss out alongside long term absentees Darryl Flahavan, Stephen Purches and Charlie Sheringham remain sidelined.

Former AFC Bournemouth youth team graduate Brett Pitman returned to the south coast on loan from Championship side Bristol City on Tuesday.

He will make the move permanent in January and becomes Eddie Howe's first signing of his second spell in charge at Dean Court.

Having only made three appearances thus far this season Pitman might not be 100% match fit, but the travelling Cherries supporters will be eager to witness his return.

Head to Head

Bournemouth wins - 19
Bury wins - 15
Draws - 8

Last time out

Last season Bury took all six points against the Cherries winning both matches.

At Dean Court in October 2011, Bury won 2-1 against Lee Bradbury's squad, whilst in April this year the Cherries lost 1-0 under Paul Groves.

1st December 2012, FA Cup Round Two, Carlisle United Vs AFC Bournemouth

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