CHERRIES will still be without Ethan Laird for this weekend's trip to Barnsley.

However, Scott Parker hopes his loanee could finally make his debut at the start of February.

Laird, 20, arrived at Cherries on January 6, on loan from Manchester United until the end of the season.

The right-back spent the first half of this campaign at another Championship club in Swansea City, impressing across his 21 appearances.

However, Laird arrived at Cherries with an injury niggle which his new club have been managing since his arrival.

And Parker confirmed the defender is getting close to a return, with the FA Cup clash against non-league Boreham Wood on February 6 a possible debut date.

Asked for an update on Laird's fitness, Parker told the Daily Echo: "Ethan Laird is moving in the right direction.

"The weekend is too quick for him. I'm hoping we might see him in the FA Cup or he'll be available for Birmingham (on February 9)."

Cherries head to Oakwell on Saturday (3pm), seeking to bounce back from two defeats on the spin.