CHERRIES head coach Andoni Iraola stated that his squad are thin on the ground ahead of their FA Cup third round tie away at Queens Park Rangers.

Iraola’s charges begin their FA Cup campaign with a visit to Loftus Road to face Championship strugglers QPR tomorrow (3pm).

Antoine Semenyo will not be available as he leaves the UK to join up with Ghana ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Fellow AFCON call-up Dango Ouattara is also unavailable, mainly due to an ankle injury sustained during Cherries’ 3-1 defeat away at Tottenham Hotspur on New Year’s Eve.

The Burkinabe is a doubt for the tournament, with Iraola stating that Burkina Faso – and Cherries – were left sweating over the winger’s availability for the tournament.

Burkina Faso’s AFCON campaign begins on Thursday, January 11.

Asked for an injury update ahead of Saturday’s match, Iraola revealed: “We’re quite thin right now because we lose from the other day Dango and Antoine, although Dango is actually injured.

“I hope he can recover and help his national team but it’s not clear.

“We have a couple of players also who finished with small issues from the other day against Spurs, so we’ll have to see if they can help us tomorrow. I cannot tell you who!

“I don’t think we are recovering anyone else from the other day so we are quite thin, but I hope we are enough to go tomorrow and win the game.”

Lloyd Kelly is back training out on the grass but separately from the group.

Having entered the last six months of his contract at Vitality Stadium, speculation surrounding the defender’s future has naturally increased.

“For me, he’s been one of our best players, he’s been really good and is a key part of the team,” Iraola responded when asked about speculation surrounding Kelly.

“It’s unlucky for us that he’s been injured a lot recently.

“He’s still not with the group, he’s doing well but he’s running on his own and he has things to do before he can join the group

"I think it's something that we have to accept (speculation).

"It always happens in all the markets.

"I don't think it will affect his performances."

Third round ties in the FA Cup will go to a replay if scores are level after 90 minutes.

Winning sides at this stage will receive £105,000, whilst vanquished teams will receive no prize money.

If Cherries are victorious, they advance to the fourth round, which will be hosted the weekend of Saturday, January 27.