CHERRIES are hoping to avoid another major injury blow – with skipper Danny Hollands facing a race to be fit in time for the new season.

The central midfielder was forced to sit out the high-profile pre-season matches against Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham due to a knee problem, which is now threatening to keep him out of the League Two curtain-raiser at Bury on August 8.

Star player Hollands, who was handed the captain’s armband after Shaun Cooper was ruled out for up to six months following hip surgery, visited a London specialist on Wednesday.

And he has been advised to rest in the hope that his left knee will recover in time for the new campaign.

“I’ve got to let it settle for a couple of weeks,” explained the former Chelsea reserves captain.

“He (the specialist) assumes I’ve just taken a whack on the fibres on the knee cap, but hopefully it settles down after a couple of weeks so I can resume training.”

Manager Eddie Howe, who is already operating with a small squad, can ill afford to lose another of his key men.

“It’s a concern,” admitted the Cherries boss.

“I think it’s going to be tough for him for the first game, but we’re playing it by ear and seeing how he gets on over the next week or so.

“The most important thing is to get him back as soon as possible.”

Howe added: “He’s one of our key players and losing him and Shaun Cooper, potentially, would come as a double whammy.

“But all we can do is play on regardless. The lads showed against Fulham that we have got enough quality to cover, but we need the (injured) lads back to full fitness quickly, otherwise the squad is looking a bit light.”

Marvin Bartley would be a candidate to replace Hollands, but he remains about two weeks away from a return. Playmaker Sammy Igoe could be another option, having performed well during pre-season.