SCOTT Parker explained the reasoning for Todd Cantwell’s substitution during the 1-1 draw with Reading, with the Cherries boss describing the decision as purely a “tactical change".

Jamal Lowe was introduced at the break whilst Cherries led 1-0 thanks to Dom Solanke’s eighth-minute strike, but Lowe and co were unable to retain their lead as they fell to a late Tom Ince stunner.

Cantwell was left walking a tightrope after his booking on 27 minutes, making two further fouls in a frustrating first-half for the Norwich loanee.

Despite the possibility of Cantwell receiving his marching orders, Parker revealed that the switch was purely for tactical reasons, with the Cherries head coach unimpressed by his side in the closing stages of the first period.

Lowe had grabbed four goals in his previous five appearances for Cherries, with two of his strikes scored after coming off the bench.

The former Fulham boss explained the switch, saying: “(It was a) tactical change.

“(I) just felt we could freshen it up a little bit.

“Obviously Jamal has been in very good form.

“I just felt the game was slipping away from us at that point as well after that.

“I didn’t like us too much at the back end of that half really. So just tried to be a bit proactive on that, so that’s why it was.”

Parker now has a full compliment of central midfielders to pick from, after Philip Billing served the final game of a two-match ban.

Cherries' boss now has a headache of selecting three from Lewis Cook, Jefferson Lerma, Emiliano Marcondes, Ben Pearson, Gavin Kilkenny, Billing, and Cantwell.