CHERRIES boss Scott Parker admitted it would be “difficult” to lift his players after their dramatic 2-2 draw against Coventry - with rivals Fulham just around the corner.

The Dorset club saw a two-goal lead wiped out by two late Sky Blues strikes on Saturday, meaning they missed the chance to leapfrog Fulham, who themselves could only draw at Preston.

The sides face off at Craven Cottage on Friday, in a crucial encounter between the two title chasers.

Asked on Saturday about lifting his players ahead of the clash with Marco Silva’s men, Parker said: “It will be difficult, of course it will. There’s no denying at this present moment in time, we’re hurting.

“There’s not really much I can say to the team other than we go back, relax and it will be on everyone’s mind tonight (Saturday) and tomorrow.

“We live in a world in football where you can’t dwell too much, because before you know it we have another big game on Friday. So we regroup and go again.”

Cherries have picked up just two points from their past three league encounters.