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First Team

Team news: Stanislas, Wilshere, Mepham latest

Junior Stanislas is back training and could play at Reading on Friday night after overcoming his ankle injury more quickly than expected.

The Cherries travel to take on the Royals in a 8pm kick-off on Friday evening, with the match being broadcast live on Sky Sports.

On Thursday manager Jason Tindall spoke in his pre-match press conference about the fitness of Stanislas, as well as the availability of Chris Mepham and Dan Gosling, who both missed the Emirates FA Cup tie with Crawley Town on Tuesday.

"He's progressing really well, Jun, "said Tindall. "He's doing far better than we initially thought. Junior's trained the last four or five days, he's one who'll be back in contention for tomorrow.

"Chris Mepham trained again this morning, he came through the session fine so it will be great to have Chris back available. 

"Dan Gosling picked an illness up last week and is probably not quite going to be ready for this one, but it's something that shouldn't keep him out for too long.

"There are one or two who picked up little knocks against Crawley, they were assessed yesterday and again this morning. We'll just have to asses them tomorrow and see where they stand and if they'll be in contention for the game against Reading."

January signing Jack Wilshere played 67 minutes in his goalscoring return to the starting line-up with the Cherries, Tindall noting that the time on the pitch was crucial in the midfielder's build-up to full match fitness.

"We saw the quality that Jack will bring us from the performance the other night," said the manager. "I think they were minutes that were much needed for Jack and also for us to get him to a level where we feel he can really make a difference.

"You saw his quality on the ball, always wanting the ball and that was capped off with a fine goal.

"He tired a little bit into the second half as expected, but the minutes he got were certainly a step in the right direction, that's for sure."