JUNIOR Stanislas is facing a race against the clock to be fit for the start of the new Premier League season after undergoing surgery.

The winger last week had an operation to cure a hernia and could be sidelined when Eddie Howe’s men host Manchester United in their curtain raiser on August 14.

Stanislas has not featured in any of Cherries’ four pre-season friendlies after sustaining the injury during the early stages of the club’s training camp in America.

The 26-year-old may be given the green light to resume training in around 10 days but would still be lacking match fitness ahead of the high-profile clash with Jose Mourinho’s Red Devils.

Having found starts difficult to come by during the Championship title success, Stanislas launched his Cherries career from November onwards last season, netting three times in 21 Premier League outings.

Addressing the wide man’s absence, assistant manager Jason Tindall told the Daily Echo: “Junior had a hernia problem and underwent a minor operation a couple of days ago.

“Everything went well with that so he should be back training within the next week to 10 days. We are looking forward to having him back because he started pre-season really well.”

Stanislas’s problem was compounded by midfielder Harry Arter’s withdrawal from Saturday’s 1-0 pre-season friendly victory over Cardiff City.

The Republic of Ireland international pulled up moments before half-time and was immediately substituted. He appeared to hold the back of his right leg.

“He is not too serious,” added Tindall. “He felt something in his leg and we will assess him over the next couple of days but hopefully, he will be okay.”

On a brighter note, defenders Adam Smith and Steve Cook made welcome returns with Andrew Surman and Benik Afobe sampling their first taste of pre-season action.

Smith missed the tail end of last season with a hernia and featured for the first 45 minutes at Vitality Stadium, while Cook completed the full 90 minutes having suffered a thigh strain in the first warm-up match against Minnesota United.

Surman played the whole match having been prevented from lining up in America due to a niggly complaint and then missed the match at Portsmouth due to a minor neck problem. Afobe suffered knee trouble while stateside but featured for 66 minutes.

Tindall continued: “We have had a tough weekend. We played two top Championship teams in Reading and Cardiff and the guys have come through in both games.

“All you hope in pre-season is that the players get the minutes they need and come through injury free.

"Fingers crossed, we have managed to do that in most cases.

“The three who had not played before (Smith, Surman and Afobe) came through without any problems.”

On the longevity afforded Cook and Surman, he said: “We were in dialogue with them throughout the second half to see whether they were okay physically.

“They both said they were and know their bodies so it was pleasing to see them get 90 minutes under their belts.”