BOSS Eddie Howe admitted Cherries’ player shortage had hit a new low and then revealed he had just EIGHT fully-fit professionals at his disposal for tonight’s clash against Barnet.

Howe was yesterday planning to approach the Football League for permission to bolster his wafer-thin resources after seeing his squad further depleted ahead of this evening’s League Two clash against the Bees at Dean Court (7.45pm).

The Cherries manager revealed that three of his stars were nursing knocks in the wake of Saturday’s draw against Macclesfield, while one additional un-named player is definitely ruled out.

And that means he is operating with a mere eight players at 100 per cent, with a number of his men set to play through the pain barrier tonight.

Howe told the Echo: “We’re very, very thin on the ground and it’s probably the worst we’ve been in terms of injuries this season.

“Again, we’re going to have a couple of players playing tonight who are carrying knocks.

“I don’t really want to elaborate on it (by naming the players), but this is the worst it’s been.

“We’d never force anyone to play who could do themselves serious damage, as I’ve said before.”

The severe shortage again looks set to force Cherries to request a temporary relaxation of the club’s transfer embargo to bring in a loan player.

Howe could also seek to extend Rhoys Wiggins's loan deal beyond its current 28-day period.

When asked about the squad-bolstering options open to him, Howe replied: “We will go to the league and speak to them but what the response will be, as always, we don’t know.”

The Cherries chief added: “There isn’t a lot you can do about it. We’ve been in this situation for a long time.

“Our hands are tied and the lads will have to play when they are not right, as long as they are not risking their long-term health.”

Cherries were already without long-term injury victims Mark Molesley, Shaun Cooper and Scott Guyett, while Ryan Garry, Sammy Igoe and Joe Partington have also been sidelined in recent weeks.