BOSS Eddie Howe hopes defender Elliott Ward will hand Cherries a timely boost by returning to action at some stage over the festive campaign.

Ward has been sidelined since sustaining a calf injury during Cherries’ 1-1 draw with Championship high-fliers Burnley last month.

News of his predicament was kept under wraps during the international break with details only emerging following Cherries’ defeat by Derby.

Ward, a regular since joining Cherries in the summer, has already started on his rehabilitation programme after scans revealed a minor tear to his calf muscle.

The 28-year-old is expected to have a further consultation at the Villa Stuart Sport Clinic in Rome when he will be hoping to be given the green light to step up his comeback.

Ward was initially set to be out for around eight weeks and Howe hopes he could be available for selection either over Christmas or early in the new year.

Howe told the Daily Echo: “Elliott is making good progress and his calf has healed. He has stepped up his running and is running to about 75 per cent at the moment. We are hopeful that he could be back in and around the turn of the year.”