Cherries’ play-off hopes have been hit by the news that star man Marc Pugh will be sidelined for three weeks.

The club’s leading goalscorer sat out the defeat against MK Dons after turning his right ankle during training last Friday.

He is also set to miss tomorrow’s home clash against League One leaders Charlton Athletic (3pm) after Cherries physiotherapist Steve Hard revealed the predicted recovery time.

Hard told the club website: “He strained a ligament on the outside of the ankle and it was quite swollen and ruled him out of the MK Dons game.

“The initial finding is that he will be out for around three weeks.”

Pugh joins a lengthy Cherries injury list, with a number of other players confined to the Seward Stadium treatment room.

Hard confirmed that Steve Cook, Mark Molesley (both ankle) and captain Adam Barrett (hamstring) were all in line to return to training soon.

Goalkeeper Shwan Jalal could step up his comeback from back surgery within the next fortnight, while Hard revealed that long-term absentee Charlie Sheringham was set to spend a further three weeks on crutches.

Shaun Cooper and Mathieu Baudry could be in contention to feature against Charlton after both returned to action in the reserves’ win over Cheltenham Town on Tuesday.

Cherries: (from) Flahavan, Francis, Zubar, Addison, Daniels, McDermott, MacDonald, Arter, Malone, W Thomas, Tubbs, Gregory, Cooper, Stockley, Fogden, Fletcher, Strugnell, Baudry, Cummings, D Thomas.

Charlton: (from) Hamer, Solly, Morrison, Taylor, Wiggins, Green, Hollands, Stephens, Jackson, Kermorgant, Wright-Phillips, Clarke, Haynes, Cort, Russell, Pritchard, Wagstaff, Sullivan.