BOSS Eddie Howe admits Yann Kermorgant is facing a race against time to be in contention for Cherries’ trip to former club Charlton.

Kermorgant has been sidelined with a heel injury since bagging a hat-trick on his full debut for Cherries during their 5-0 rout of Doncaster.

The Frenchman, who has missed Cherries’ past three games, has been receiving intensive treatment, both at Dean Court and at the Villa-Stuart Clinic in Rome.

Kermorgant, a hugely popular figure at the Valley, swapped struggling Charlton for Cherries when he completed a £400,000 move on the final day of the transfer window.

Howe told the Daily Echo: “We firmly believe it is just a bruise so it is just a case of whether Yann could tolerate any pain in that area. We will, hopefully, step up his rehab in the next couple of days and see if he could be fit for Charlton.”