CHERRIES defender Tyrone Mings could be up to three months away from a return.

The 24-year-old has not played since September due to a back problem and has been told to rest before beginning rehabilitation.

Mings, who is on holiday in Dubai, told the Gazette & Herald: “I have a fracture in my back. I’m not sure on a time frame.

"I think I have another three to four weeks of doing nothing, then I will have to start rehab, which will be about eight weeks.

“I’m in a situation where I’m not allowed to do anything, I’m not allowed to do yoga or go to the gym, hence why I am on holiday.

“There are worse things to be be doing but it is frustrating because I just want to be fit."

Mings has made just 14 appearances since joining Cherries from Ipswich Town in the summer of 2015, a serious knee injury sustained minutes into his Premier League debut against Leicester City playing a substantial role in that unwanted statistic.

The former Chippenham Town man was in March handed a five-match ban for an alleged stamp on Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic at Old Trafford, although he protested the incident had been accidental and was backed by his club.