BOSS Eddie Howe conceded it would be “a huge blow” to lose Junior Stanislas to injury but said he was hopeful the in-form winger would make a quick recovery.

Stanislas, who has come to the fore in the Premier League this season, was helped off during the closing stages of Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Sunderland.

The 26-year-old took a heavy blow to his left knee after being the victim of a reckless challenge from Black Cats defender Billy Jones who was booked.

Stanislas received treatment from Cherries physio Steve Hard but was unable to continue and was replaced by Glenn Murray a minute from time.

Despite the severity of the tackle, the Londoner later walked unaided from the dressing room to the team coach and did not appear to be wearing a leg brace.

Howe, who said he wanted to review the challenge before passing comment, added: “He twisted his knee and it doesn’t look good. It looks like maybe a medial ligament strain.

“You saw him being carried off the pitch and it didn’t look good. He was quite sore in the changing room so we will see how serious it is.

“It would be a huge blow if he were to be out for any period of time because he has been excellent since he has come into the team. He has had a really good run and again you could see his quality so, hopefully, he is not too serious.”

Asked whether Stanislas’s injury may alter his plans in the transfer window, Howe replied: “I think it would be difficult to react to one injury, especially when, touchwood at the moment, we don’t think it is too serious.”

Stanislas was due to be further assessed by Cherries’ medical staff yesterday and may have a scan early this week.

Howe was also confident striker Benik Afobe would make a quick recovery having suffered a bruised toe at the Stadium of Light.

Afobe, who was replaced by Lewis Grabban after 65 minutes, headed Cherries into an early lead following an excellent cross from Stanislas.

But Cherries were caught napping at a throw and a quick move ended with Patrick van Aanholt levelling for Sunderland on the stroke of half-time.

Asked whether he felt it had been two points dropped, Howe said: “After the first half, absolutely, yes. I felt we were in total control and doing everything we hoped to do.

“We passed the ball very well. The only disappointment really was we didn’t create more chances in that spell and have the clinical aspect to our game to go on to make it two or three, which I felt our dominance had deserved.

“But at 1-0, there is always that window that you can have one lapse of concentration and it can cost you and that is eventually what happened. The disappointing thing from our perspective was the timing of the goal as well.

“You will take it because it was another point on the board and another game unbeaten for us. But there was a feeling of disappointment because I felt we should have got all three.

“When you play your rivals at this stage of the season, it is important you don’t get beaten. I thought the lads did well in the second half not to let the crowd become a big factor in the game but I felt the game was there if we had wanted it.”