CHERRIES boss Eddie Howe revealed he had to play a waiting game on whether Chris Mepham would have to go under the knife.

The Wales international has missed the Dorset club’s past two games against Manchester United and Tottenham due to a knee injury.

Former Brentford man Mepham has undergone an injection in his knee this week, but Howe is yet to see whether that would prevent the centre-back needing surgery.

Asked whether Mepham could still play a part for the remainder of the season, Howe told the Daily Echo: “That remains to be seen. We will have to wait and see.

“He has had a knee injection, whether that has made a big enough improvement to stop him from going under the knife, we will have to wait and see.”

Mepham had been sidelined with a knee problem sustained against Luton in the FA Cup back in January.

The defender did however play 10 minutes of Cherries’ 4-1 defeat to Newcastle since the resumption of the Premier League.