CHERRIES are facing up to the prospect of tackling their relegation run-in without the services of first-choice keepers Neil Moss and Gareth Stewart.

Veteran Moss had already been ruled out with a broken wrist, but fellow stopper Stewart will also miss the remainder of Cherries' League One campaign because of the broken ankle he sustained in the 2-0 victory over Hartlepool just over a fortnight ago.

"They are both out, Gareth and Mossy," Cherries boss Bond told the Daily Echo.

The club's physio Steve Hard explained the severity of Stewart's ankle problem.

He said: "He had a scan on Monday and the ligaments we thought he had damaged have been partially ruptured. And there is the possibility of a complete rupture.

"We're trying to get a consultation with a surgeon and he's probably going to need an operation, so he's definitely our for the remainder of the season."

In the absence of Stewart and Moss, Bond is hoping to keep hold of on-loan stopper David Forde.

Forde was snapped up from Championship outfit Cardiff City to deputise for Stewart, with youth team keeper Ryan Pryce deemed too inexperienced to throw into the fray at Elland Road.

Since Cherries' defeat against Leeds, Forde has also played in matches against Oldham Athletic and Yeovil Town.

Other than one mistake at Leeds, which resulted in a goal for the Yorkshire side, Bond has been pleased with the impact made by Forde.

He said: "He's done okay. I thought he was a bit rusty in the first half against Leeds, where he got involved in the first goal for them.

"I think he'd be the first to admit his kicking has been too erratic for his own liking, considering he's such a good kicker of the ball.

"But, apart from the one incident at Leeds, I've been pleased with his goalkeeping."

It is understood that Cherries are only permitted to sign Forde on a seven-day emergency deal, which has to be reviewed on a weekly basis.

Meanwhile, physio Hard expects Jo Tessem (back) to be available for the weekend after the veteran utility man took part in training on Monday and Tuesday.

But there was not such good news on skipper Neil Young.

"He went over on his ankle against Oldham Athletic and got a strain on one of the ligaments," explained Hard.

"He'll be out of this weekend's fixtures."

The loss of Young, coupled with shin injury victim Warren Cummings also being on the sidelines adds to Cherries' crippling sick-list, which also includes Darren Anderton, Ryan Garry and Russ Perrett.