SCOTT Parker kept his cards relatively close to his chest when assessing his left-back options as he looks to find a replacement for the injured Jordan Zemura.

Parker confirmed Zemura will miss at least Cherries' next two fixtures due to a hamstring problem, as the club prepare to welcome Middlesbrough to Vitality Stadium tomorrow, before heading to Coventry City on Monday.

During Zemura's previous absence this season when he went to the Africa Cup of Nations to represent Zimbabwe, Davis stepped in and was named Cherries' player of the month for January.

However, the 22-year-old has not featured since getting injured during a clash with Derby County on March 12.

In a poll run by the Echo on Twitter this week, 73 per cent of fans selected Davis as their preferred option to replace Zemura at left-back for the visit of Boro.

Asked if it was a simple like-for-like switch to bring in Davis for Zemura, Parker told the Daily Echo: "There’s options for me. I’ve got options.

"I’ve got Leif, Robbie Brady, I’ve got right-footers I could put there as well. So I’ve got options in that position.

"I’ll make a decision on what I think is best for certain games, of course and go from there."

Discussing Davis's development this season, since his arrival on loan from Leeds United, Parker added: "I think he’s developed well. I definitely see someone who has improved a lot.

"He’s a young player. This is his first full season in a first-team environment really. He’s not played a lot of football. I think that’s been a big learning for Leif really, for sure.

"I think he’ll be the first to say there have been times that he has struggled a little bit. But I’ve been pleased with Leif’s progression.

"At times it has been a little bit stop-start, but for sure he’s got big attributes and more experience and more playing time will only bring that on as well."

Adam Smith filled in at left-back for Cherries' injury-ravaged squad at league leaders Fulham back in December.

Quizzed on him as a potential option, or if ideally he would like a left-footer at left-back, Parker said: "Not really. It makes certain changes, but we can adapt from that. It depends.

"We’ve got Robbie Brady and Leif, two natural left-footers. Leif a natural full-back, Robbie not so much.

"And then we have got right-footed options as well. I pick teams and I pick personnel on how I feel is best to win that game.

"That will be no different come tomorrow. We’ll work out exactly the best way forward from there."

Asked if he would lean on experience in that position given the timing in the season, Parker said: "Possibly. There is definitely elements of that, not just in that position but other positions as well at certain moments.

"Look, we are a young side and I think I've proven since I've been a manager that there's something about youth that I like.

"I'm not totally sold on just experience and take that over young, enthusiastic players. But certainly there's a mental element or experience that brings you a bit more of an understanding in certain situations.

"I see these players every day and who I feel is best to fill a role or a position for any particular game, I'll decide that accordingly really."