BOSS Eddie Howe says he expects to discover the full extent of injuries to Callum Wilson and Tokelo Rantie in the next 48 hours – with surgery still a possible option for the South African.

Strikers Wilson and Rantie were both second-half casualties of Cherries’ eventful 2-2 draw with Championship rivals Ipswich Town at Dean Court yesterday.

Wilson was forced off due to a hamstring problem before Rantie was carried off on a stretcher after dislocating his right shoulder during an awkward fall.

The pair are tomorrow due to undergo MRI scans, with Howe describing as “premature” suggestions Rantie would not need to go under the knife.

In an interview published earlier today by KickOff.com, quotes attributed to Rantie said the player would not need an operation “because it was the first time this has happened and the damage was not that serious”.

However, speaking to the Daily Echo in the past hour, Howe said: “The next course of action is both players will be scanned tomorrow and only after we have had the results back will we know what damage has been done.

“We are waiting to find out the extent of Callum’s hamstring injury and whether is it a pull or a bruise. He was still in a bit of discomfort when we saw him today.

“With TK, how serious and how severe his shoulder is will be determined by the scan and what damage has been done to the ligament and the joint.

“You can’t decide what course of treatment they are going to need until you find out the exact extent of the injuries so it is too early to give a diagnoses or a time-frame on either player.

“I have had experience of shoulder injuries with players in my time as a manager and they are very delicate so we need to get the initial treatment and disgnoses right.

“Once you develop a shoulder problem, they can recur and that is why it is very important for TK’s long-term career that the early assessment is correct. The early stages of his rehab will also be very important and we will be doing everything we can to ensure it does not recur.”

Howe said Rantie would definitely not be fit for the visit of Millwall on Saturday, while describing Wilson’s chances of being available as “doubtful”.

Meanwhile, any serious damage for Rantie could put in doubt his chances of featuring for South Africa in the finals of the Africa Cup of Nations at the start of next year.

Should both players be set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines, Howe could be forced into the emergency loan market with the window due to close later this week.

“If we are missing both players, we will have to see what we do,” added Howe. “It is a very difficult market to bring in good quality players at such short notice.”