Eddie Howe says the state of Bournemouth's squad is "devastating" with key players Callum Wilson and David Brooks currently on their injury list.
Bournemouth's leading goalscorer Wilson has been out since mid-January with a knee problem, while Brooks missed consecutive defeats to Cardiff and Liverpool after injuring his ankle.
Speaking ahead of the Cherries' clash with Wolves on Saturday, Howe said: "It has been difficult this season, I think more than any other with the injuries.
"Simon Francis and Lewis Cook have been devastating blows for us because they're long term and you know you're not going to get them back during the season. They've really been the cornerstone of our team for the last couple of seasons.
"When you add Callum (Wilson) and David Brooks, who recently have been in really good form for us, it's been difficult.
He described Brooks' problem as "freakish" after he picked up an ankle injury when scoring Bournemouth's second goal in their 4-0 win over Chelsea.
Wolves travel to the Vitality Stadium a fortnight after Bournemouth's defeat at Anfield so with a reduced squad the extended preparations have proved useful.
"I think you're looking for people to take the opportunity that will come their way and I think that's the beauty of football.
"I'm really desperate for one or two of those players to really show their quality and then the squad looks a lot healthier. When we get the players back, there's going to be real competition for places."
Bournemouth have dropped to 11th in the Premier League but Howe hopes his side are still capable of securing a top-half finish this season.
"I still think the possibilities are there for us. It'll be down to us between now and the end of the season, we've got minimal games - only 12 left.
"We want to show the consistency that we really want to deliver. We've got some tough games to come so it'll be a busy week for us. Three games this week is probably going to be pivotal to where we want to go."