MANAGER Kevin Bond is waiting on the availability of a number of key players as Cherries go in search of their first league win of the season tomorrow.

Bond potentially has problems in defence, with Jason Pearce, Ryan Garry and Joel Ward all sitting out training yesterday.

Midfield dynamo Marvin Bartley sustained an injury during the Canford School session and is now also doubtful ahead of Exeter City's visit to Dean Court.

With transfer-listed Jo Kuffour (flu) also absent from training, Bond could need to supplement his squad with youth-team players.

"Joel Ward is going to be struggling for the weekend," said Bond.

"Pearcey I'm hoping will train with us today, I'm hoping Ryan Garry will also train with us today.

"Marvin Bartley had a hernia operation before Christmas and he felt it yesterday, so he walked in from training in the early part of the warm-up.

"I haven't had chance to speak to the physio about that one so I don't know the extent, but that was really disappointing for us because he's given us lots of energy."

On a positive note, hard-working midfielder Danny Hollands made a welcome return to training this week.

The former Chelsea reserve team skipper, who was a star performer for Cherries last term, had been expecting to return to action in mid-September after undergoing knee surgery.

Despite only having made his first footsteps on the comeback trail, Hollands already seems to be well ahead of schedule, but it is thought he won't feature tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Exeter seem to have none of Cherries' injury worries, with tomorrow's visitors to Dean Court likely to name an unchanged line-up.

Veteran forward Marcus Stewart is set to feature in what is likely to be a 4-3-3 formation.

Bond is not expecting an easy ride against the newly-promoted Grecians, but he emphasised the need to make home advantage count.

He added: "They're a good footballing side and have got a lot of belief in their team.

"Like we found last week against Aldershot, the sides who come up have got a lot going for them. They work really, really hard and are a good side, and I think they will be a good side this season.

"It will be a hard game for us but we're at home and have to win our home games."

Cherries: (from) Jalal, Ward, Pearce, Guyett, Cummings, Cooper, Bartley, Anderton, Igoe, Bradbury, Kuffour, Pitman, Pettefer, Wagstaff, Sappleton, McQuoid, Partington, Webb, Hutchings, Pryce.

Exeter City: (from) Jones, Tully, Taylor, Seaborne, Friend, Edwards, Gill, Harley, Stewart, Logan, Stansfield, Marriott, Moxey, Panther, McAllister, Basham.