Cherries: Tommy's eager to return to the top table (From Bournemouth Echo)

Cherries: Tommy's eager to return to the top table

7:00am Tuesday 19th February 2013 in Sport By Ian Wadley

INJURED Tommy Elphick set his sights on a rapid return after admitting missing Cherries’ table-topping moment had been “a bit of a sickener”.

Elphick has been a frustrated spectator since being on the receiving end of Ryan Lowe’s horror tackle in Cherries’ win at MK Dons on February 2.

Although an initial scan dismissed fears of serious shin and knee problems, Elphick travelled to London for a second opinion last week.

Following that medical consultation, Cherries believe the influential centre-half could be sidelined for a further two to four weeks.

Elphick, who missed all of last season at Brighton prior to his summer transfer to Dean Court, told the Daily Echo: “I am just trying to gain as much time as possible to get back as soon as possible.

“I had a year of it last season when I was watching games and, when you are out for that long, you sort of settle for it.

“I tried to watch as many games as I could and tried to educate myself as much as possible.

“These short-term injuries are more frustrating in some ways than the long-term ones because there is not a particular date set.

“It is frustrating, especially with us hitting the top of the table as well. You want to be involved in that.

“Playing my part up until then was brilliant and to not be at that game at Crewe was a little bit of a sickener, to be honest.

“But, from now until the end, it is not about me. It is just about the team winning.”

Prior to suffering the injury at stadium:mk, Elphick had played every minute of every game under the management of Eddie Howe.

Cherries’ stand-in skipper, who has started 33 matches this term, added: “There are still plenty more games to play in and I want to be involved in as many of those as possible.”