INJURY-plagued Russ Perrett intends to put his fitness nightmare firmly behind him - starting with the Cheltenham challenge this afternoon.

The veteran central defender is poised to start alongside Josh Gowling at the heart of Cherries' back four against fellow League One strugglers Cheltenham Town at Whaddon Road.

Perrett, a summer signing from Luton Town, has been unable to show his credentials since joining the Dean Court club because of a string of setbacks.

But the 34-year-old, who hasn't played in Kevin Bond's first team since September, is keen to put his injury problems to bed in time to help save Cherries from the dreaded drop.

He said: "I'm very much looking forward to it, it's a big game for us and, if selected, it will be my first game back since September.

"I'm raring to go if called upon and hopefully that will be case. It's still all there to play for and every game we go into we're looking to win now. It's a six-pointer but there's still a long way to go and plenty of points to play for."

Perrett, who began his career with Portsmouth before stints at Cardiff and Luton, is poised to resume first-team action after about a month of training and some reserve games.

"I've got myself fit and now I want to give a good account of myself towards the end of the season," he told the Daily Echo.

"I've only made three starts this season and I've not even got going. No one has seen anything of me yet. I want to pull my weight and help the team out. Hopefully I'll get selected and maybe I can start doing that."

Asked if he was worried about picking up another injury, Perrett said: "I'm not nervous, as far as I'm concerned it's part and parcel of the game and I've had to take it on chin many times.

"It's just a shame I've come here and not been able to show what I can do and it's taken so long to get myself fit."

Cherries boss Bond thinks the defender's experience will "come in handy" for his struggling side.

He said: "He's a really great lad and a really great pro. His attendance record in pre-season was the best at the club - he didn't miss a day's training.

"But he got himself injured in the last pre-season game at Bristol City, got back and did his hamstring and in his first reserve game back he did his calf, so he's not been able to get started.

"He's a composed player and has bags of experience."

Bond added: "He knows Bournemouth showed a lot of faith in taking him and he was really pleased with the move being a Bournemouth lad."