NEIL Young's hopes of making his return from injury today were dashed after the vastly-experienced defender sustained a groin problem.

Young, who was expected to be in the reckoning to face Walsall (3pm) having returned to training this week, missed yesterday's session after suffering the setback.

"He felt it on Thursday and Friday morning. It must have been a reaction from not doing a great deal to coming back into training," explained Cherries boss Kevin Bond.

"Little injuries happen and he's picked one up."

The news will come as a blow to Bond, whose injury-ravaged side go in search of their first League One win at Dean Court this season, having drawn one and lost five of their six home outings to date.

Jo Kuffour (virus), Adam Lallana (groin) and Brett Pitman (foot) all took part in training on Thursday and Friday, but Bond described the trio as "short of work".

"Jo is back in training for the first time since four days before the Swansea City game. He's trained for two days since before the Swansea match," said the Cherries supremo.

"We'll be taking a chance by including him and, to a degree, it's the same with Adam Lallana.

"Brett's back in training for the first time since he got smashed up in the game against Bristol Rovers.

"They're all short. It's far from ideal but that's the reality of the situation."

Bond is well aware of the threat Walsall will pose to his struggling side.

He said: "I think they'll be a very real opponent for us.

"They've been one of the teams we've beaten this season in the cup but since then they've gone on a really good run.

"In no way, shape or form will I underestimate them."

Bond did not want to be drawn on the future of Marc Wilson. The Pompey utility man's initial loan period ends after this afternoon's match and the Cherries boss said they would "have to look at it" once the game was finished.

  • Number two will be the ball to watch out for when the draw for the FA Cup first round proper takes place at 5.10pm this evening.

That is the number allocated to Cherries as the League One club await their fate for the tie to take place on November 10.