GARY O’Neil outlined three reasons why he is convinced Cherries “will look very different” when they return to action next month.

Cherries are currently at the start of a two-week break without fixtures, between Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest and the trip to Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, February 4.

O’Neil is yet to register a victory since becoming head coach of Cherries on a permanent basis, losing six on the spin prior to Saturday’s stalemate against Steve Cooper’s Tricky Trees.

Cherries produced a much-improved display against Forest, but Jaidon Anthony’s goal was not quite enough for all three points as substitute Sam Surridge popped up late on to level matters.

Asked what it will take to turn good performances into wins in the second half of the season, O’Neil said: “We have a great period coming up.

“So, three things – I now have two weeks to work with the group that are fit, to make sure we’re in a better place.

“I have two weeks to get key players back and we have 10 days or whatever it is (in the transfer window) and I’m sure there will be new additions.

“So by the end of the transfer window and maybe not definitely by Brighton, but we’ll have some players back and the squad will look very different by that time.”

He added: “I think the three points that I mentioned are huge. I need to make sure that the group are always fully prepared and performing at their best. The group that I have that are fit.

“So, on Saturday, did they perform at their best? Were they well organised? Did we look like a side that could cause Nottingham Forest problems? Yes.

“The second key part of that is we need our key players back fit. It is a must. We need to get Dom (Solanke) back on the pitch as soon as possible. We need to get Lew (Cook), Phil (Billing) and Tav (Marcus Tavernier) back on the pitch as soon as possible.

“And then we have 10 days, I’m sure we will add some new players to the group.

“In the next few weeks, I’m sure the squad will look a lot bigger and a lot deeper than it does right now.”

As well as Solanke, Cook, Tavernier and Billing, Cherries were also without injured trio Junior Stanislas, Ryan Fredericks and David Brooks for the clash with Forest.

Cherries have slipped into the relegation zone, sitting 18th, with just three points separating the bottom seven clubs.