BOSS Scott Parker stressed Cherries had to “tread carefully” with winger Junior Stanislas but insisted: “Pre-season has been good for him.”

The former West Ham and Burnley man was plagued by injuries last season, making just eight appearances in all competitions.

Stanislas suffered hamstring and shoulder problems, with a back issue in April eventually ruling him out for the rest of the campaign.

But now the 32-year-old is back playing and scored in last week’s 2-1 friendly defeat to Real Sociedad.

He could feature when Cherries host Aston Villa in their Premier League curtain-raiser tomorrow (3pm).

Parker told the Daily Echo: “Junior is probably the one in the squad that has obviously been in around the level a little bit.

“We have to tread carefully, like I always say with Junior, in terms of treading carefully with him and not tipping him over the edge.

“But certainly, I think his pre-season has been good for him.

“Probably not ready still to start a game, but certainly the bits he has come on, he adds quality and gives you a certain amount of quality.”