JONATHAN Woodgate confirmed Ben Pearson had been struggling with a "slight hip injury" against Brentford.

The midfielder kept his place in Cherries' starting XI for the visit of the Bees in the Championship play-off semi-final first leg.

But the 26-year-old was withdrawn on 72 minutes after receiving treatment, eventually replaced by Jack Stacey.

Asked if Pearson was a fitness concern ahead of Saturday's second leg, Woodgate explained: "He’s got a slight hip injury.

"We’ll have to see how he is for the next game. Hopefully he’s okay.

"If not, we’ve got people to come in and do a fantastic job also."

Cherries won 1-0 at Vitality Stadium thanks to a second-half Arnaut Danjuma strike.

The two sides will do battle again in west London on Saturday (12.30pm).