EDDIE Howe believes Cherries are “fortunate” to have a link with Poole Town and says he has no plans to reconsider blooding his young players in non-league following an injury to Sam Matthews.

The highly-rated teenage midfielder was forced off just 29 minutes into his Dolphins debut after taking a heavy blow to his ankle during their FA Cup win over Bradford Town on Saturday.

Matthews, who joined the club last week on a one-month youth loan, was caught by a tackle from Jake Hiscocks, a challenge Poole boss Tom Killick described as “not particularly good”.

It followed development squad team-mate Josh O’Hanlon hobbling off during Poole’s midweek win over Southern League rivals Slough, the Cherries striker also the victim of an ill-timed tackle.

Matthews, 17, is set to discover the full extent of the injury once he has had a scan and while ligament damage is a possibility, an X-ray revealed there was no fracture.

Howe told the Daily Echo: “Sam took a nasty knock to his ankle and it swelled up quite badly. We won’t know how it is until we have had feedback from the scan but we are hopeful it is not as serious as first feared.

“It is unfortunate that when you play games at a competitive level, it is the nature of the job that you are going to get knocks and injuries. One of the biggest problems with developing young talent in the English game is getting them competitive matches.

“Without being disrespectful to Poole, we would love to have sent Sam to a higher level to play regularly to bring on his game. The reality is not everyone is willing to give young players a chance.

"We are fortunate to have a link with Poole where they will blood our young players and give them that experience.

“Josh O’Hanlon has scored seven goals in nine games for them so it has been a great experience for him. Unfortunately for Sam, he has picked up an injury.

"You can’t wrap your players in cotton wool and, at some stage, they have to go out to experience it. Unless someone can tell me a better way, that is what we will continue to do.

“We wouldn’t trust our best young players with just anybody. It makes sense to keep them local and we can keep an eye on how they are doing. Tom Killick is a good manager and Poole are a very good club.”

Cherries’ development side start out on the Hampshire Senior Cup trail with a trip to Wessex One outfit Fleet Spurs tonight (7.45pm).

Stephen Purches will have a limited squad to choose from with all players currently out on loan ineligible to play for the duration of their temporary stints.

Elsewhere in the competition, Christchurch host Wessex League rivals Moneyfields (7.45pm).