Cherries: Another welcome test for Garry (From Thisisdorset)

Cherries: Another welcome test for Garry

7:00am Tuesday 21st July 2009

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PERFECTIONIST Ryan Garry plans to use tonight’s friendly to further enhance his skills in time for the new season.

Garry turned in a fine performance against Tottenham Hotspur on Friday and, with Cherries set to welcome top-flight Fulham to Dean Court this evening (7.45pm), he will again be given a stern examination.

But the former Arsenal man is hoping to make the most of the occasion once again.

He said: “It was a great experience to play against some world class players in probably every position on Friday.

“You can learn a lot. You can pit yourself against some of the top players in the English game, the likes of Darren Bent and Robbie Keane in the first half, then Jermain Defoe and Pavlyuchenko in the second.

“It’s a good test to see how you do against them.

“You can learn an awful lot because you’re going to be put in situations and positions that you’re not going to be during a League Two game.

“Everyone’s looking forward to the Fulham game, it will be a huge test and one that you can only learn from.”

Cherries go into the match without captain Danny Hollands, who has a knee problem.

The inspirational midfielder was forced to sit out the Spurs friendly and he will again watch from the sidelines before the extent of the injury is fully assessed.

A number of Cherries’ injured stars are unavailable for the match, but the sidelined players are making progress.

Midfielder Marvin Bartley is still around two weeks away from a return to action and Alan Connell, who took part in his first proper football session yesterday following surgery, is three weeks away from a return to full training.

Scott Guyett (shoulder) suffered an ankle injury on his road to recovery, while Josh McQuoid started jogging yesterday after sustaining ankle ligament damage in the opening pre-season friendly at Poole Town.

Brett Pitman (ankle) faces a fitness test ahead of tonight’s match, which Lee Bradbury is set to miss out due to a minor knee problem.

Cherries boss Eddie Howe is expected to give a number of trialists the opportunity to impress, with Alton Thelwell, Karl Broadhurst, Andre Costa and John Brown still with the Dean Court club.

Salisbury City full-back Luke Ruddick, who caught the eye when the Conference side defeated Cherries last week, could also feature after linking up with Howe’s men in training yesterday.

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