SCOTT Parker admitted Gary Cahill "wasn't close" to being available to face Coventry due to a rib injury.

The former England centre-back has been in fine form since arriving at Cherries in August, playing every minute of the past 14 Championship fixtures, prior to Saturday's visit of the Sky Blues.

He picked up an injury during Wednesday's 1-1 draw at Millwall, following a collision with former Cherries striker Benik Afobe.

And while Cahill played the full 90 minutes against the Lions, he was not able to take on Coventry.

Steve Cook replaced Cahill in the side for his first league appearance of the season as Cherries drew 2-2 at Vitality Stadium.

Asked how close Cahill was to being available for the contest, Parker told the Daily Echo: "Well, he wasn’t close because as soon as he came in (on Friday) he was really struggling.

"We thought we could maybe do something with that.

"Desperate times and desperate needs, but he just wasn’t able to do that with his ribs."

Parker will hope to have Cahill available for Friday's trip to table-topping Fulham.