ASSISTANT manager Jason Tindall says Tokelo Rantie has declared himself fit to rejoin Cherries’ promotion battle.

Rantie is tomorrow due to return to England after featuring for South Africa in their disappointing Africa Cup of Nations campaign.

The striker started all three games – defeats by Algeria and Ghana and a draw with Senegal – as Bafana Bafana finished bottom of their group.

Rantie is due to complete the final leg of his travels from Johannesburg to Heathrow after flying back from Equatorial Guinea today and could be in contention for Cherries’ Championship clash with Watford on Friday.

The 24-year-old frontman has not featured for Cherries since sustaining a shoulder injury during their 2-2 draw with Ipswich at the end of November.

Tindall told the Daily Echo: “Hopefully, he will be back and available for selection. Whether it is a bit too soon will be determined by how his travel arrangements go and how he feels when he gets back.

“He went to the Africa Cup of Nations and played three games where he worked extremely hard. He came through with no problems following his recent shoulder injury.

“We watched all three games and felt he did well. South Africa were in a tough group and I am sure he will be disappointed to have gone out.

“From our point of view, it means we will have him back earlier than expected even if he is coming home earlier than he or South Africa would have wanted.

“The main thing for us was that he played games, did well and stayed fit. We have no concerns regarding his fitness so that is a really big bonus for us.”

Meanwhile, Tindall said winger Marc Pugh had returned to training after recovering from a foot injury which had ruled him out of Cherries’ FA Cup tie at Aston Villa on Sunday.

Pugh should be available for selection against the Hornets providing he has no adverse reaction, although midfielder Dan Gosling is again likely to miss out.

Gosling, who also missed the trip to Villa Park, sustained minor bruising around his Achilles and is expected to return to training early next week. A scan revealed Gosling had not suffered any serious damage.