FLYING winger Liam Feeney is a major injury doubt ahead of Cherries’ top-versus-bottom League Two clash at Darlington on Saturday.

And boss Eddie Howe also has concerns over midfield pair Joe Partington and Marvin Bartley as his threadbare squad prepares for the long-haul trip to the North East.

Livewire Feeney, an ever-present this season, has played a pivotal role in helping Howe’s charges set the early pace in League Two.

But the 22-year-old has this week been receiving intensive treatment to a knee injury after being forced out of training at Canford School on Monday.

Feeney pulled up after feeling discomfort in his right knee and is unlikely to train again before Howe’s men head north tomorrow morning.

And although he is expected to travel, Feeney is unlikely to face the Quakers unless he can prove his fitness ahead of the Darlington Arena showdown.

Cherries are due to make an early start and will train on route after experiencing horrendous traffic problems during their trip to Bury on the opening day of the campaign.

Boss Howe told the Daily Echo last night: “Something has been niggling Liam for a while and he had to pull out of training after feeling his knee on Monday.

“He won’t train tomorrow and we will have to see how he is on Friday morning.”

Partington and Bartley were both casualties of Cherries’ Football Combination clash at Salisbury on Tuesday.

Bartley failed to appear for the second half after sustaining an injury to his right hand, while Partington limped off 10 minutes from time after being troubled by pain in his groins.

The pair were both yesterday assessed by Cherries physio Steve Hard with Bartley last night sent to the Bournemouth Nuffield Hospital for an X-ray.

Speaking before the result of the X-ray was known, Hard told the Daily Echo: “Someone landed on Marvin’s shoulder after he had fallen and that put more force through his hand.

“He had no feeling in his hand when he came off. He is now struggling to move his fingers and his hand is still numb. We will know more once we have seen the X-ray.”

Hard added: “Joe Partington felt pain in his left and right groins and we will have to assess him further in the morning.”

Bottom-placed Darlington, still without a win this season, yesterday signed Hull City winger Jamie Devitt on a month’s loan.