Last Updated: Fri, 08 Feb 2013 11:03
Bournemouth defender Tommy Elphick will miss the south-coast derby with Portsmouth this weekend despite his knee injury not being as bad as first feared.
The 25-year-old had played every minute under manager Eddie Howe until a tackle from MK Dons striker Ryan Lowe last Saturday saw him taken off in the first half, with a scan revealing he will be ruled out for two to three weeks.
Fellow defender Charlie Daniels has missed the Cherries' last two matches with a foot problem and he will be monitored by club staff ahead of the match.
In his absence, Howe has played Southampton loanee Dan Seaborne and new signing Matt Ritchie in his position and the latter could deputise again if Daniels does not make it.
Their impressive 3-0 win against Karl Robinson's men moved Bournemouth to within four points of the automatic promotion places ahead of the home game with 23rd-placed Pompey.
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