MERCURIAL winger Matt Ritchie faces a frantic race against time to regain his fitness ahead of Cherries' trip to Nottingham Forest tomorrow.

Ritchie was substituted at half-time during Cherries' 3-1 defeat at Brentford on Saturday following an indifferent first-half showing.

The 25-year-old had been walking a disciplinary tightrope after picking up a booking for a heavy challenge on Bees midfielder Stuart Dallas.

Ritchie escaped further punishment following another tackle on the same player before being replaced by Ryan Fraser at the interval.

One of Cherries' leading lights this season, Ritchie sat out training yesterday after feeling discomfort in a muscle in his left leg following the Brentford game.

He was assessed by the club's medical staff and is likely to face a late fitness test before Cherries lock horns with Forest at the City Ground.

Ritchie has featured in all 32 of Cherries' games in the Championship this season - including starting 31 - and has netted nine goals.

Assistant manager Jason Tindall told the Daily Echo last night: “Mattie was struggling a bit so we decided it would be best if he came off. We didn't want to risk him doing any long-term damage.

“The physios assessed him today and will assess him again tomorrow. We will have to see how he is but are hoping to have him available.

“He will probably have a fitness test before the game and, hopefully, he will come through that because he is an important player for us.”

Tindall said striker Tokelo Rantie had returned to training yesterday after recovering from a nagging shoulder injury.

“Having TK back was a great boost for us and he looked very sharp,” said Tindall. “In some senses, it will be like having a new signing to have him back and in contention.”

Meanwhile, Tindall confirmed there had been “no developments” regarding Cherries' search for loan recruits.

He added: “Like we always say, we are always looking to improve the squad and, if we feel we can, then we would try to.

“But we aren't just going to go out and bring in any player who we feel wouldn't have an impact on the team or the squad.

“At the moment, there is no update. But between now and the window closing, if we feel we need to or someone comes up who we feel would have an impact or make a difference then we would certainly be in the market.”