CHERRIES star Ian Harte looks set for an extended spell on the sidelines - and could be out of action over the hectic festive period.

Manager Eddie Howe expects Harte to be ruled out for at least four weeks after the defender sustained a calf injury in training.

The Irishman felt discomfort in the calf on his left leg during a session in the first week of the last international break.

He was subsequently referred to the Villa Stuart Sport Clinic in Rome and had a course of injections after being assessed by their medical team.

It is a bitter blow for the experienced 37-year-old who had been injury-free since joining Cherries following his release by Reading 17 months ago.

News of Harte’s injury had been kept under wraps by Howe until after the team-sheets had been submitted for today’s Championship clash with Ipswich.

In an exclusive interview with the Daily Echo, Howe said: “Ian felt his calf tighten during a training session at the end of last week. He had a scan which showed some slight damage so he went to Villa Stuart and had a couple of injections.

“We are hoping to have him back sooner rather than later but I think we are looking, conservatively, at him possibly being out for a month.

“It is a blow to lose him because he has been a very reliable performer ever since we signed him and he has never let us down.

“He has been a superb professional around the other guys and is a real role model for the players. Whenever he has played, he has shown real consistency to his performance and we value his experience greatly so want to get him back as quickly as possible.”

Howe said it would be unlikely he would delve into the loan market to cover for Harte’s absence with Adam Smith and Baily Cargill both able to deputise at left-back should Charlie Daniels be unavailable.

Despite being restricted to four starts in the Championship this season, Harte has been a key figure as Cherries have reached the quarter-finals of the League Cup for the first time in their history.

The Republic of Ireland international played his part in wins over Exeter, Northampton and West Brom but now looks certain to miss the last-eight showdown against Liverpool next month.

Harte also featured prominently in Cherries’ late surge for the play-offs last season with the lion’s share of his 26 appearances coming during the second-half of the campaign.