GARY O'Neil confirmed Philip Billing missed Saturday's 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest due to a "slight muscle injury".
The Denmark international had featured in all 19 of Cherries' Premier League matches this season, prior to the visit of Steve Cooper's Tricky Trees to Vitality Stadium.
Asked about Billing's absence, boss O'Neil told the Daily Echo: "Phil was close.
"He had a slight muscle injury.
"We thought he might make it and he didn’t quite.
"It was a big blow, obviously. He’s a huge player for us.
"It’s difficult enough already when you get promoted to the Premier League to pick up points, even if you keep your key players fit.
"To be without four of your key ones and to put in a real, good display against a Nottingham Forest side that are in good form, for our lads to go out and match them and cause them problems was a good performance."
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