Bournemouth will be wanting to reclaim top spot in League Two when they entertain Shrewsbury this weekend.
Shrews looking to pick off Cherries
Bournemouth will be wanting to reclaim top spot in League Two when they entertain Shrewsbury this weekend.
The Cherries slipped from the summit in midweek, with only one win in five outings allowing them to be usurped by Rochdale.
The Shrews have also seen their promotion charge hit the buffers of late, taking one win from five, and they now find themselves on the fringes of the play-off places.
Bournemouth team news
Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe will have defenders Ryan Garry and Jason Pearce available despite both picking up bad facial injuries in the week.
Garry got a broken nose in the 1-1 draw at Barnet while Pearce - who was awarded PFA Player of the Month for November - took two elbows to the face.
Pearce has a swollen cheek and black eye on one side and five stitches on the other but will feature against the Shrews.
The Cherries have no other fresh injuries from the trip to Underhill and head into the match without any suspensions.
However, they will still be without long-term absentees Shaun Cooper (hip), Mark Molesley (foot) and Scott Guyett (knee).
Shrewsbury team news
Boss Paul Simpson is likely to keep faith with the same starting XI that saw off high-flying Rotherham in midweek as Shrewsbury look to record back-to-back wins for the first time since September.
Shrews managed their first victory in six matches and only their second in 11 in all competitions as they dispatched of the Millers on Tuesday night and Simpson will be reluctant to make any changes.
His side were denied by a late equaliser at Notts County recently and more of the same at Dean Court could surprise a Cherries outfit who are winless in three.
On-loan striker Waide Fairhurst and winger Jamie Devitt have scored the club's last three goals and they are certain to start while forward Dean Hibbert will be hoping to make up for his penalty miss against Rotherham.
Andreas Arestidou was dropped for the clash by Simpson although he admitted the rookie goalkeeper could count himself unlucky having being blameless for the goals he conceded during his two-match stint. David Button should keep his place between the sticks.
Midfielder Craig Disley (knee) continues to strive for match fitness before being thrown back into the mix while Chris Neal (broken finger), Lewis Neal (calf), Mike Jackson (bone bruising) and Glyn Garner (shoulder) are also still out.
