Bournemouth look likely to get their Premier League campaign back on track this weekend at Newcastle, after their scheduled clash against Brighton was postponed following Queen Elizabeth II’s passing.
With the country entering a period of mourning after the death of its longest-serving monarch, the Cherries’ home match was called off, along with the rest of the top-flight’s round of fixtures and games across the EFL, National League and grassroots.
There are also concerns surrounding the upcoming matches, however, with the Queen’s funeral now scheduled for Monday 19 September. Due to the logistics around the event, which will see leaders from across the world jet into London, tens of thousands of police officers will need to be drafted in, likely from around the country.
As a result, ensuring security at sporting showpieces could pose an unwanted headache. It is understood a handful of games are at risk of being waved off, but it would be a surprise if Bournemouth’s trip to Tyneside also fell victim.
Therefore, interim boss Gary O’Neil will certainly be gearing up his squad over the coming days under the assumption that they will return to action on Saturday afternoon. His preparations, though, will have taken a blow because of several injuries.
The former is set to remain on the sideline for “a few more weeks”, according to O’Neil, with more progress needed from the former Blackburn man before he is fully match fit. As for the latter, the caretaker manager did not specify an expected return, but did insist his knee setback is not “too significant”.
Junior Stanislas, meanwhile, has returned to training alongside his team-mates, but the Newcastle game may arrive too soon for him.
“We still need to do some work with him, but good to have him back out there and back with the group,” O’Neil added on the winger.
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