BELEAGUERED Cherries boss Kevin Bond has described the loss of midfielder Jean Francois Christophe to injury as "another massive blow".

The Frenchman, who is on loan from Portsmouth, will be sidelined for up to three months after dislocating his wrist during the reserves' midweek defeat by Bristol City.

Christophe's left wrist was flexed when he raised his arm to protect his face from a full-blooded, close-range clearance inside the opening 60 seconds of the clash.

The 20-year-old yesterday went under the surgeon's knife to correct the damage and is unlikely to again feature for Cherries during his current loan spell.

Bond told the Daily Echo: "He is a wholehearted player who was just starting to adjust to the British game after coming over from France in the summer.

"He's is still learning his trade and finding his feet, but he made an impact when he started and came off the bench for us. He is very strong and athletic and would have done a job for us in the medium term."

Bond's resources for today's League One showdown with Carlisle were further weakened after defender Neil Young was added to Cherries' deepening injury crisis.

Young became the fourth frontline defender to join the casualty list when he twisted his right knee in training on Thursday. He was ruled out against Carlisle after reporting for treatment yesterday morning.

Cherries physio Steve Hard will monitor his condition over the weekend before a decision is made as to whether he requires an MRI scan.

The absence of both Christophe and Young for the visit of Carlisle leaves Bond with just 13 fit outfield players at his disposal. Youth team defender Billy Franks, who was on the bench at Swindon last week, is also injured.

Bond added: "We can only look at the immediate future and try to deal with that. We've got seven players who are injured and there is no real immediate prospect of any of them coming back."

As a result of Cherries' acute injury problems, assistant manager Rob Newman will be forced out of retirement to be named on the substitutes' bench against the Cumbrians.

Newman, 43, a veteran of more than 600 games with Bristol City and Norwich, has played twice for the reserves this season and also turned out in the Wessex League for Warminster Town last season.

Bond added: "On the basis that we've only got 13 available outfield players, I will include Rob in the squad. In the situation we find ourselves in, his experience will stand for more than any young person's enthusiasm."

Eddie Howe's chances of following Newman out of retirement have been scuppered by a nagging calf injury.