Cherries: MacDonald return is boost for Howe

7:00am Friday 8th February 2013 in Sport

SHAUN MacDonald is set to hand boss Eddie Howe a timely boost by declaring himself fit for selection for Cherries’ League One showdown with Portsmouth tomorrow.

Discussing MacDonald’s return following two months on the sidelines, Howe said: “Shaun has been impressive since coming back and has had a full week’s training. He has looked very good. He is assured on the ball and his technique has been really impressive after such a long lay-off so we are very pleased to have him back.”

Pompey, where Howe spent two years as a player, arrive at Dean Court on the back of a 17-match winless run in the league and are one place off the bottom.

But Howe said: “Everyone on the outside will look at it and assume we will win but we know that football has a dangerous way of reminding you how fragile form can be. We have been trying to remind the players of that all week.”

Howe added: “To see one of my former clubs, and a club I have got great respect for, in such a difficult position is not easy to watch from afar but it must be a lot harder being involved directly.”

Meanwhile, Cherries’ defensive resources could be stretched for the visit of their south coast neighbours.

Although Howe was keen to keep his cards close to his chest, Tommy Elphick, Charlie Daniels and Miles Addison are all thought to be doubts, while Steve Cook’s training has been restricted due to his recent court case.

Daniels has sat out Cherries’ past two games due to a foot problem, while Elphick sustained a knee injury during the 3-0 victory at MK Dons six days ago.

Howe said: “We have got a couple of injury doubts but I would prefer to keep them under wraps. We have got a few players who will be having late fitness tests to see if they can make it and, hopefully, they will.

“If not, we may have to make a couple of changes.”

Comments(12)

Afcbpete says...
8:12am Fri 8 Feb 13

GREAT news that Shaun is fit again. I'm sure who ever plays where ever, we will not be weakened... UTCIAD

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smhinto says...
8:13am Fri 8 Feb 13

A welcome return, however I do not believe he will be match fit to contribute effectively. Need a couple of reserve games I believe.

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STEADY EDDIE 1 for the road says...
8:50am Fri 8 Feb 13

No need to rush Macca back, we are well covered in that department. Not to worried about the defence since we will be doing most of the attacking for sure, and hopefully we will get the result.

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ducky24 says...
8:55am Fri 8 Feb 13

Great news on Macca! Lets hope that Charlie is close to returning too.

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tricky1007 says...
9:20am Fri 8 Feb 13

smhinto wrote:
A welcome return, however I do not believe he will be match fit to contribute effectively. Need a couple of reserve games I believe.
funny you having a half empty glass!!!!

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bobhg says...
10:54am Fri 8 Feb 13

smhinto wrote:
A welcome return, however I do not believe he will be match fit to contribute effectively. Need a couple of reserve games I believe.
Of course he wont be "match fit" and its unlikely he will start the game. We have plenty of options in midfield anyway but it will good to see Macca back in the squad and maybe given 20 minutes. All positives coming out of the club this week regarding Daniels and Elphick although neither could be risked tomorrow unless 100%. I expect them both back in the team at Crewe on Tuesday

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smhinto says...
12:47pm Fri 8 Feb 13

bobhg wrote:
smhinto wrote: A welcome return, however I do not believe he will be match fit to contribute effectively. Need a couple of reserve games I believe.
Of course he wont be "match fit" and its unlikely he will start the game. We have plenty of options in midfield anyway but it will good to see Macca back in the squad and maybe given 20 minutes. All positives coming out of the club this week regarding Daniels and Elphick although neither could be risked tomorrow unless 100%. I expect them both back in the team at Crewe on Tuesday
Don't think Elphick will be ready for Crewe. Ed has already stated he will be out for two to three weeks.
.
Regards

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poolepaul says...
2:48pm Fri 8 Feb 13

smhinto wrote:
bobhg wrote:
smhinto wrote: A welcome return, however I do not believe he will be match fit to contribute effectively. Need a couple of reserve games I believe.
Of course he wont be "match fit" and its unlikely he will start the game. We have plenty of options in midfield anyway but it will good to see Macca back in the squad and maybe given 20 minutes. All positives coming out of the club this week regarding Daniels and Elphick although neither could be risked tomorrow unless 100%. I expect them both back in the team at Crewe on Tuesday
Don't think Elphick will be ready for Crewe. Ed has already stated he will be out for two to three weeks.
.
Regards
Will you not just find somewhere else to troll smhinto....You are the most annoying poster on here by miles, always throwing in you tuppence worth of knowledge, yet have never been correct. As for comments now on how you don't think X or Y player will be fit for playing, I think we can safely leave that decision to someone who has a clue (IE Eddie Howe). Do everyone a favour and jog on.
Regards

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Afcblees says...
2:48pm Fri 8 Feb 13

90% or 100% fit these players are the ones that make a diff give them game time get the match won in the 1st half then we can all have a lovely pint at ht,attack nth st 2nd half rack up a cricket score and go down the pub to celebrate knowing Hartlepool have just nicked a point off swindle fc.

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smhinto says...
3:03pm Fri 8 Feb 13

poolepaul wrote:
smhinto wrote:
bobhg wrote:
smhinto wrote: A welcome return, however I do not believe he will be match fit to contribute effectively. Need a couple of reserve games I believe.
Of course he wont be "match fit" and its unlikely he will start the game. We have plenty of options in midfield anyway but it will good to see Macca back in the squad and maybe given 20 minutes. All positives coming out of the club this week regarding Daniels and Elphick although neither could be risked tomorrow unless 100%. I expect them both back in the team at Crewe on Tuesday
Don't think Elphick will be ready for Crewe. Ed has already stated he will be out for two to three weeks. . Regards
Will you not just find somewhere else to troll smhinto....You are the most annoying poster on here by miles, always throwing in you tuppence worth of knowledge, yet have never been correct. As for comments now on how you don't think X or Y player will be fit for playing, I think we can safely leave that decision to someone who has a clue (IE Eddie Howe). Do everyone a favour and jog on. Regards
What is so annoying about this post. Ed has clearly stated that Elphick will be out for a minimum of two weeks with a bruised tibia reported via the Echo.
.
Thonly annoying thing is that Elphick will be out for two weeks and not the post. Twit!

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Wilkie says...
6:48pm Fri 8 Feb 13

Spot on shminto.

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nicoAFCB says...
7:41pm Fri 8 Feb 13

From recent weeks its been obvious one of king eddies game plans is to say a player is no where near the starting 11 and come Saturday they are in the team. So I wouldn't be surprised if charlie and tommy started tomorrow but I doubt it very much. In seabourne and Ritchie we have two very able replacements for both! I do like Smhinto's comedic value in his posts! In Eddie We
trust!

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