GOALKEEPER Artur Boruc could be a major concern for boss Eddie Howe ahead of Cherries’ hectic festive campaign in the Premier League.

Boruc has been troubled by both groin and knee injuries in recent weeks, restricting him to just one start in Cherries’ past seven league and cup games.

The 35-year-old, who completed a permanent move to the Vitality Stadium in the summer, was between the sticks for Cherries’ first eight matches in the top flight.

But his run of 28 consecutive league starts came to an end when he tweaked his groin in the warm-up at Manchester City in October and was forced to withdraw from the squad.

Despite declaring himself fit enough to reclaim his place against Tottenham, Boruc had a day to forget and was culpable for three goals as Cherries suffered a 5-1 defeat.

He then sat out the League Cup fourth round defeat at Liverpool and Cherries’ 2-0 reverse at his former club Southampton at the start of last month.

Boruc was on the bench as Cherries went down 1-0 to Newcastle at the Vitality Stadium on November 7 before he linked up with Poland on international duty.

And after featuring in their 3-1 friendly win over Czech Republic in Wroclaw on November 17, Boruc reported back to Cherries with a swollen knee.

He was ruled out of the 2-2 draw at Swansea and also missed Saturday’s memorable 3-3 draw against Everton with Adam Federici donning the gloves.

However, Cherries’ goalkeeping resources were further rocked when Federici sustained an ankle injury against Everton after falling awkwardly during the first half.

Federici, who left the ground on crutches, was replaced at half-time by Ryan Allsop, who made his first league appearance for Cherries since October 2013.

Unconfirmed reports which surfaced in Poland yesterday suggested Boruc could be facing a spell on the sidelines and may require surgery to his knee.

However, a Daily Echo source in the country said the extent of the damage was not thought to be serious and Boruc may delay going under the knife.

Speculation Cherries could have been facing a goalkeeping crisis intensified when teenage stopper Jordan Holmes was recalled from a loan spell at Weymouth earlier this week.

Cherries boss Howe is tomorrow due to carry out his pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday’s visit to Chelsea when he will field questions on the situation.

Howe is also expected to be asked for an update on Federici’s condition with the stopper also due to have seen a specialist.

Harry Arter is also a doubt for the visit to Stamford Bridge due to a hamstring injury while the midfielder has also been struck down by a bout of sickness.