CHERRIES boss Eddie Howe has this morning confirmed that skipper Danny Hollands faces between three and four weeks on the sidelines.

The star midfielder had surgery on his troublesome knee last night and Howe expects his captain to be ruled out for up to a month.

Hollands has been prevented from taking a full role in pre-season due to the injury, but it is hoped that yesterday's operation will have cured the problem.

The former Chelsea reserve team skipper was handed the captain's armband after Shaun Cooper became a long-term injury victim following hip surgery in June.