CHERRIES boss Eddie Howe says he accepts that players on the fringes of his team will be frustrated by their predicament.

But Howe insists the onus is on his back-up boys to grab their chance when it comes along.

Junior Stanislas’s calf problem has opened the door for Joshua King in the past two games, while Dan Gosling could be in line for a run in the team with Andrew Surman struggling with a hamstring problem.

Stanislas could be in contention for the visit of Sunderland on Saturday, although Surman is understood to be a major doubt after succumbing to his injury at Middlesbrough.

Howe told the Daily Echo: “It’s a common problem at any football club. You will always have 22, 23, 24 players desperate to play.

“You can only pick 11, though, so you will always have slightly disappointed players. The main thing is how they respond to that.

"And when they get their chance on the pitch, they have to show what they are capable of in order to be given further chances. Initially, they have to be patient – but their chance will come.”

Howe does acknowledge, however, that selecting his matchday 18 has become a more straightforward task following injuries sustained by Lewis Cook and Brad Smith during the recent international break.

He said: “When everybody was fit, it was a very difficult squad to pick. I was having to leave out some very good players who have done well for the club.

"It was tough. But at the moment I’m leaving one or two out from the squad, which is a lot easier.”