Injury News: Late calls ahead of Brighton

It'll be the first Premier League fixture for the Cherries in two weeks, with a 3pm kick-off scheduled at the Amex Stadium on Saturday afternoon. 

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, O'Neil provided an update on the fitness of his squad. 

"We've been really unfortunate with injuries a lot, whether it be impact injuries or innocuous ones to really key players.

"We've had a tough spell injury-wise. I don't like talking too much about it the day before a game, but what I can tell you is that David Brooks won't be available, neither will Junior Stanislas or Ryan Fredericks. 

"Dominic Solanke and Marcus Tavernier have both had good weeks on the grass and I'll have a couple of late calls tomorrow. Let's see at 2pm tomorrow who we have available." 

Before O'Neil went on to discuss the new additions to his squad, he spoke of those that were missing last time out against Nottingham Forest, admitting their return to fitness would be just as crucial. 

"Lewis Cook, Philip Billing, Dom Solanke and Marcus Tavernier were all missing from the last game. They're big players and being able to put them back into a matchday squad will be as big as us putting the new faces back in. 

"They're huge players if you think back to the good run we went on when I first took over. They all played a big part and it's really important we get them back. With the additions too, the group starts to look really strong. 

"The new signings, none of them, aside from Darren Randolph, have played in the Premier League, so there's an adaptation to league needed.

"We've been working on that since the moment they arrived and we're looking to get them all up to speed.

"The other side of it isn't football related, they're in a new area or even a new country for some. They're getting used to the surroundings.

"We need to help them feel settled. Of course, they can help us here and now, but they have good years ahead of them with room for improvement."