TEENAGE prospects Joe Partington and Josh McQuoid could be set to line up for Cherries at Morecambe as boss Eddie Howe swiftly turns his attentions to the future.

The pair of first-year professionals, products of the club’s blossoming youth policy, were both used sparingly by Howe as he plotted Cherries’ escape from relegation.

But with safety now assured, Howe is likely to make changes as Cherries bring the curtain down on their League Two campaign at Christie Park tomorrow (3pm).

Howe told the Daily Echo: “I may make a couple of changes to the team now we’re safe from relegation. A few of the lads have been very patient and haven’t played an awful lot of football. This game will give me a chance to change things around and have a look at a couple of different faces.

“I certainly don’t believe it will be a weakened team. If anything, it will be a team with a view to the future including some of our younger players.”

Once his playing budget is determined, Howe will be able to open talks with several players regarding new deals, with Partington, McQuoid and Ryan Pryce among them.

Howe is also hoping to be given the green light to discuss with Portsmouth the possibility of keeping talented defender Joel Ward on loan for a second season.

Ward is also expected to earn a recall against Morecambe after recovering from an ankle injury that has kept him sidelined for the past three months.

Shaun Cooper, Scott Guyett and Alan Connell will all miss the trip to Lancashire as they prepare for surgery to their respective injuries.

Cooper, who is also nursing a knee problem, will have an operation to cure a hernia later this month, while Guyett is today due to go under the knife to repair a damaged shoulder.

Connell will have a routine clear-out operation on his left knee in the next three weeks, having delayed the operation until after Cherries’ fate had been determined.

Howe added: “Alan has been battling away for us with his knee not feeling 100 per cent and should be credited for making himself available.

“Now we’re safe, it gives him a chance to have a clear-out operation on his knee to get himself right for the start of next season.

“We do have a number of doubts because people have been carrying injuries throughout the season so it gives us a chance to look after them as well.

“It’s been a long season and a hard slog physically and some of the boys have been crying out for a rest. As much as I may make changes, I still want to win the game and I want a good performance.”

Brett Pitman is a doubt due to his ongoing hernia, while youth team duo Tim Stephenson and Steve Hutchings have been added to the Cherries squad.