CHERRIES manager Eddie Howe admitted Dan Gosling had been rushed back to the bench and revealed the midfielder was still not fit to start.

The former Everton and Newcastle man damaged his ankle at the end of January but was an unused substitute in defeats to Brentford and Nottingham Forest.

Howe has had limited options in central midfield of late with Harry Arter suspended and Eunan O’Kane sidelined with an ankle problem, although the former is in contention to return against Blackburn tomorrow (3pm).

And Howe warned that Gosling was still on the road to peak physical condition.

He told the Daily Echo: “Dan is getting closer to full fitness but I wouldn’t consider him to start games at this moment in time. He’s still building up his fitness behind the scenes.

“We had to rush him back because of Harry’s suspension but, as the weeks go by, he will get closer.

“Harry has been a driving force for us in midfield so we are pleased to have him available again. Eunan’s not far away either so when we get everyone back, midfield will be a very strong part of the team.

"There will be competition for places and that will give us a variety in selection that we can call upon depending on the team we’re playing.”

Striker Tokelo Rantie made his return to the first-team fold when he was brought on as a late substitute at Forest, his first Cherries appearance since November.

Rantie had not featured due to injuries to both shoulders with a trip to the African Cup of Nations with South Africa sandwiched in between.

“It was a really big bonus for us to have Tokelo back on Wednesday,” said Howe.

“He has looked sharp in training and we’re really pleased with him.

“It was difficult for him to find space against Forest with the number of bodies they had in and around the box but I thought he did okay when he came on.

“It’s only from game-time that we are going to see the real Tokelo.”