Connell delight at return of Moriah-Welsh

The tenacious midfielder has been named in the Cherries squad for their Premier League Cup curtain-raiser against Charlton Athletic on Tuesday.

Moriah-Welsh, who starred during a loan spell with Newport County last season, has been sidelined since sustaining a knee injury while on international duty with Guyana in the summer.

The 21-year-old made two starts for the Cherries in the 2021/22 FA Cup and was crowned young player of the year for his exploits with the Exiles in 2022/23.

He is expected to feature when Connell’s team face the Addicks in their first Group C encounter at Princes Park, the home of National South outfit Dartford (7pm kick-off).

Connell told afcb.co.uk: “Off the back of a successful loan spell at Newport County last season, Nathan was unfortunate to get injured while he was away with Guyana in June.

“He’s been out for a few months but he’s worked very hard with his rehab and is now at the point where he’s back in the squad.

“Nathan is a big character and has a lot of quality so we’re delighted to have him involved. It’s a young squad so his experience will also be beneficial to us.

“Hopefully, he can build up his minutes, start to put together a run of games and challenge for a place in the first-team squad as he did before his loan spell at Newport.”

Charlton compete alongside the Cherries in Group South of the Professional Development League and have taken five points from their first five games, placing them ninth.

Connell’s team are currently sixth, having beaten Coventry City and Peterborough United and drawn with Sheffield Wednesday. They have also played five league games.

Following Tuesday’s clash with Charlton, the Cherries continue their Premier League Cup campaign against Wolves at Telford’s New Bucks Head on 6^th October and Norwich at their Lotus Training Centre on 10^th November.

Connell added: “The Premier League Cup is a competitive and prestigious competition. I like the fact there’s a group stage as it gives it a Champions League-style feel to it.

“It’s a great experience for the players and we’re looking forward to playing a difficult Charlton team. We want to perform and, ultimately, we want to progress out of the group.

“From what we’ve seen, Charlton look a very dangerous team. They are quick in wide areas and very comfortable in possession so it’s going to be a tough test for us.

“As a club, Charlton have always produced a lot of players and currently have players in their first team who have come through their academy.

“We know we are going to have to be at our best to produce a performance and result we want and will give it everything to try to achieve that.”

Third-year scholar Ben Winterburn and under-18 striker Remy Rees-Dottin, a second year, are both eligible to feature for the Cherries as part of their respective work experience loan deals with AFC Totton and Wimborne Town.

Winterburn has made four appearances for the Stags since joining them last month, the midfielder featuring in their FA Cup giant-killing of Gloucester City on Saturday.

Rees-Dottin, meanwhile, came off the bench to make his debut for the Magpies in their FA Cup second qualifying round defeat to Torquay United on Saturday.

AFC Bournemouth: (from) Plain, Crisp, Tonks, Boutin, Eagle, Okoh, Kinsey, Moriah-Welsh, Wadham, Landa, Winterburn, Williams, Sadi, Rees-Dottin, Adu-Adjei, Dacosta Gonzalez.