BOURNEMOUTH have been boosted by the return of spin star Jem Warner ahead of Saturday’s Southern Premier League showdown at Lymington (11am).

The former Swanage leg spinner returns to Lions squad after graduating from university.

Warner took 18 wickets at just less than eight runs a piece during the second half of the campaign for Lions last season, as the Chapel Gate side went on to win Southern League Division One.

And captain Chris Park believes his comeback will provide a big boost.

He told the Daily Echo: “Jem is back for three or four weeks at least. I think he is going on an overseas trip after that.

“But it’s pleasing to have him. With Jake Hurley and Dom Clutterbuck not being around, it will be great to have Jem back involved.

“For the past two years he has been integral during the second part of the season for us.

“He is a very good leg spin bowler and is very competitive. I am sure he is looking forward to playing in the Southern Premier League now.

“He has played at Swanage and played a little bit of minor counties for Dorset but I am sure he is looking forward to testing himself against Premier League players again.”

A big blow for Lions however comes through a hamstring injury to batsman Adam Davies.

He struck a dazzling unbeaten 84 during the crucial victory over Basingstoke & North Hants last time out.

Davies also fired 68 not out during Bournemouth’s Campbell Cup final victory over Poole Town on Monday before pulling up with the problem.

“Adam has pulled his hamstring quite badly,” added the Lions captain.

“He tweaked it last Saturday and, when we won the Campbell Cup against Poole on Monday, he completely pulled it and was limping badly at the end.

“He said it’s an ongoing injury and he’s actually had it operated on in the past. He said during the rugby season last year he had two or three different hamstring strains.

“Unfortunately, he told us he needs a few weeks off again.”

Martin Miller is also set to replace Ben Bridgen, who is unavailable.