Cherries star Shaun Cooper says he is close to winning his fitness battle but admits his next assignment could prove more challenging – reclaiming his place.

Cooper has endured more than his fair share of misfortune with injury this season after suffering torn calf muscles in both legs in separate incidents.

The 28-year-old started 16 of the first 17 games before he was ruled out for two months after sustaining a minor tear to the muscle in his left leg in training.

And after coming back to star in Cherries’ 1-0 win at Huddersfield, a grade one tear in his right leg forced him off during the early stages of the defeat by Sheffield United.

Cooper, who has been sidelined for seven weeks, is nearing the end of his rehabilitation programme and is hoping to rejoin Lee Bradbury’s squad in training later this month.

However, despite his versatility, Cooper knows he will need to pull out all the stops to win back his place, with Cherries having lost only once in his seven-game absence.

Cooper, whose 220 appearances for Cherries have come both in defence and midfield, told the Daily Echo: “Our squad now is unbelievable. Every player could play, do a very good job and justify their position.

“I prefer playing in midfield but would play wherever I was asked by the manager. I wouldn’t say I was either a defender or a midfielder, I would say I was both.

“We have got excellent players in both positions so it is going to be a challenge for me, as it is for every player. But it is a challenge I am not going to shirk.

“Everyone is capable of being in the starting line-up and it comes down to the manager’s preference. He will be looking at who is doing well in training and in games.”

Cooper, a key figure in last season’s play-off near miss, added: “It has been an extremely frustrating time for me and I have had some bad luck.

“But I am very close now and feel good.

“When I have been fit this season, I have felt the fittest I have been for a long time so, hopefully, I can get back to those levels.

“I have been working hard in the gym and have pushed myself. I have been doing some running and ball work on the pitch. I have been changing direction and putting the muscle through different tests.

“I have felt really good and there has been no adverse reaction.

“I have been able to go again the next day and would hope to be back in training very soon.”