SCOTT Parker confirmed Jamal Lowe will be unavailable for this weekend's trip to Barnsley after testing positive for COVID-19.

The forward started last weekend's loss against Hull City at Vitality Stadium, but will not feature at Oakwell.

Cherries were also set to be without Jefferson Lerma this weekend after he was called up by Colombia for their World Cup qualifiers against Peru and Argentina.

However, the 27-year-old tested positive for coronavirus over the weekend following the 1-0 defeat to Hull.

But, following a period of isolation, Lerma is now back in training and Parker hopes he could be available to face Barnsley after all.

"COVID we have just one case with Jamal Lowe," confirmed boss Parker.

"Obviously Jefferson Lerma, but he's come out of that and trained for the first time today. Depending on how he reacts from that, which I suspect will be fine, he'll be available.

"Injury-wise, Chris Mepham will probably struggle for the weekend. And everyone else other than the long-termers are fine."

As well as Mepham, who suffered a hamstring injury against Hull, David Brooks (illness), Junior Stanislas (hamstring) and Adam Smith (knee) are all some way off returning.

Injured Robbie Brady and Ethan Laird are too expected to miss out again, as revealed by Parker last week.

But Parker does hope he may be able to call upon Lewis Cook, who missed last weekend's clash with the Tigers due to a knock suffered in training.

"He is trying to nurse it," explained Parker.

"We're nursing it through at the moment. He trained today, but he trained at probably 50 per cent.

"We're going to have to see how he comes in tomorrow. At this moment, he's touch-and-go."

One player who is definitely available again is Jordan Zemura, following his Africa Cup of Nations exploits with Zimbabwe.

"He came back last week and was too late back in terms of getting back and training with the group to make the weekend squad," said Parker.

"He's had a full week training now with us and has looked good for that so will be available for selection and will be available in the squad for the weekend.

"That will be my decision on what capacity we will use Jordan, but pleased to have him back and in and around the squad."