Cherries boss Lee Bradbury believes defender Mathieu Baudry will have learned a harsh lesson from his latest injury setback.

Baudry has been sidelined for more than seven weeks since feeling his hamstring following Cherries’ 2-1 defeat by Hartlepool at the end of September.

The Frenchman then suffered a blow when he aggravated the problem after over-exerting himself during a training exercise.

Baudry, who has been restricted to just nine appearances this season, has suffered more than his fair share of injuries since joining Cherries in January.

The luckless 24-year-old was troubled by a groin problem towards the end of last season and also sustained a nasty head injury during pre-season.

Bradbury told the Daily Echo: “Mathieu is very enthusiastic and pushed himself when probably he shouldn’t have. But he has learned from it and has been completely honest with the physio and the medical staff.

“I think he will come back stronger for it because he knows it is important to be honest with people so he doesn’t break down again.”

Meanwhile, Bradbury hopes midfielder Shaun MacDonald can finally see some light at the end of the tunnel as he looks to return from a persistent toe injury.

Although fears were allayed MacDonald had sustained a broken toe during the 3-0 defeat by Chesterfield in September, the Welshman has struggled to overcome the problem.

MacDonald has returned to light training and Bradbury said: “Shaun had an injection and that acted as a really good anti-inflammatory for the pain and has been good for him. Hopefully, he can get back as soon as possible.

“He is jogging again so we will have to wait and see. It is just fitness levels now.”