Cherries return to league action at Scunthorpe

AFC Bournemouth travel to Scunthorpe on Saturday for a third consecutive game on the road.

The Cherries will arrive at Glanford Park after knocking Carlisle out of the FA Cup last weekend as one of the in form sides of the division, unbeaten in eleven games in all competitions having taken 21 points from a possible 27 in the league.

Scunthorpe however have struggled this season, they currently sit just one place off the foot of the League One table and hold the worst home record in the division and are without a victory in six home outings.

Howe told the Daily Echo...

'...Their record at home hasn`t been fantastic this season so they will want to start to turn that around. We have got to make sure we perform similarly to how we did at Carlisle where we were in control and the dominant side.

"From their perspective, their players will have their home record in the back of their minds so, hopefully, we can play on that and continue their home struggles.

"From our point of view, we just have to make sure our mentality and attitude are right because, with the ability in the squad, you would like to think we can be very positive and take the game to them."

Scunthorpe midfielder Josh Walker is reportedly a doubt after he took a knock to the ankle in training.

Fellow midfielder Michael Collins is expected to be available after recovering from his own ankle injury.

Scunthorpe have also been active in the loan market, goalkeeper Steve Mildenhall has extended his loan from Championship side Millwall, whilst they have also signed Adda Djeziri on loan from Blackpool.

Despite Scunthorpe's poor form they do possess one of the in form strikers in League One.

On loan Charlton striker Leon Clarke started his loan move off with a bang scoring in his first five Scunthorpe appearances.

He's now gone on to score 11 goals in 15 appearances since his September move.

AFC Bournemouth will be without captain Miles Addison after the defender was ruled out for around three weeks with a foot injury.

Stephane Zubar is also unavailable leaving the Cherries short of options in defence.

Lewis Grabban and Shaun MacDonald have not trained this week, Grabban has struggled with a hamstring injury whilst MacDonald suffered a dead leg against Carlisle.

Harry Arter and Lee Barnard however will return after missing the Carlisle game.

Arter missed the game through suspension, while Barnard was not allowed to play in the FA Cup by parent club Southampton.

Longer term absentees Richard Hughes, Darryl Flahavan, Stephen Purches and Charlie Sheringham remain on the sidelines.

In the absence of Miles Addison, Tommy Elhpick will stand in as Cherries team captain.

Head to Head

Bournemouth wins - 10
Scunthorpe United wins - 10
Draws - 19

Last time out

The last time the Cherries visited Scunthorpe was in April this year and the game ended 1-1.

15th December 2012, AFC Bournemouth Vs Colchester United, 3pm.

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