Scunny Scunny Bournemouth

AFC Bournemouth host Scunthorpe this Bank Holiday Monday at the Fitness First Stadium for the first fixture in 2006.

Preview

Neither team won this weekend, with Scunthorpe holding Bradford City to a 0-0 draw and the Cherries tasting defeat at second placed Southend United.

On Saturday Billy Sharp was denied a late winner for Scunthorpe by the post as Bradford came away with a point while Southend maintained their promotion push against 10-man Bournemouth.

AFC Bournemouth Team News:

Bournemouth lose Neil Young to a 1-match suspesion after his last man tackle on Wayne Gray at the weekend. As a result Eddie Howe may return to the staring lineup for the first time since the day he was injured at Gillingham.

Drew Surman has now return to Southampton after his recall from a successful loan period which began on the opening day at MK Dons, with Stephen Purches most likely to take his place.

Player to watch: No.14 – James Hayter

Although he failed to get on the scoresheet this weekend, James still has 12 goals to his name this season, his most recent from the penalty spot at Yeovil Town.

Scunthorpe Team News:

Staring lineup v. Bradford…
Evans, Byrne, Hinds, Crosby, Baraclough, Taylor, MacKenzie, Goodwin, Beagrie, Sharp, Keogh.

Player to watch: No.24 – Billy Sharp

On fire this season with 15 goals in 24 games for The Iron, Sharp joined Scunthorpe in the Summer for £100,000 from Sheffield United after a spell with Rushden and Diamonds, where he scored 9 in 16. Watch out! – as his run of 4 games without a goal is bound to end soon.

Match Facts & Stats

Scunthorpe sit 4 points behind the Cherries in 15th place. A win for them would likely only take them up one spot, yet a win for Bournemouth could take the Cherries 8th – depending on results at Oldham and Forest.