CHERRIES defender Elliott Ward is set to embark on a significant stage in his rehabilitation as he battles back from a long-term injury.

Ward has been troubled by a persistent knee problem, initially sustained during Cherries’ 1-0 defeat by Leicester at Dean Court in February.

The 29-year-old suffered a recurrence following Cherries’ 2-2 draw at Ipswich on Easter Monday and had an operation at the start of May.

However, having returned to action during Cherries’ League Cup win at Exeter in August, Ward was referred to a specialist after again feeling discomfort in the joint.

And he went under the knife for a second time at the Villa Stuart Sport Clinic in Rome and was subsequently told to expect to spend a lengthy period on the sidelines.

Boss Eddie Howe told the Daily Echo: “Elliott went back to Villa Stuart recently for a check-up to see how the knee was reacting post-surgery and the surgeon was pleased with what he saw.

“He has been stepping up his rehabilitation and we hope to have him walking on a treadmill later this week. There is no definitive time-frame for Elliott and we are taking it slowly with him.”

Meanwhile, long-term injury victim Joe Partington is also making progress on the road to recovery having started training with the club’s development squad.

Partington had major surgery after sustaining a serious knee injury during the early stages of Aldershot’s 1-1 draw at Dartford in February.

The 25-year-old, who was on loan to the Conference outfit at the time, had an operation to have his right knee reconstructed after rupturing ligaments.

Howe said: “Joe is training with the development squad, not every day but dipping in to sessions as an introduction to returning to full training with us.

“He has had a serious injury so we need to make sure we take this part of his rehabilitation slowly. We are hopeful he will be back in full training with us in the not too distant future.”