STRIKER Dani Rodrigues could be ready to give Cherries a timely boost when he steps up his comeback from injury today (November 16).

Rodrigues is set to put his hamstring to the test when he returns to full training with Sean O'Driscoll's squad at Canford School.

The 24-year-old has been sidelined since he damaged the tendon in his right leg during Cherries' 4-0 win over Port Vale last month.

It was initially feared he could be out for six weeks before a scan revealed he had sustained a "small tear".

And if he comes through unscathed, his return would provide Cherries with the ideal tonic in the wake of James Hayter's enforced absence.

Hayter is likely to be out for around three weeks after suffering a knee injury during Cherries' FA Cup clash at Forest Green Rovers on Saturday.

A precautionary scan at the Nuffield Hospital last night was expected to reveal that Hayter had sustained medial ligament damage to his left knee.

Rodrigues, speaking exclusively to the Daily Echo last night, said: "Ever-ything is progressing nicely and I'm going to start full training tomorrow.

"I joined the rest of the lads last week for a few non-contact sessions and I trained with Jason Tindall and Steve Purches today.

"We did some one versus one games, some kicking of the ball and then went into the gym for some more strengthening work.

"My hamstring feels fine and it was work I felt I needed to do before I joined the rest of the squad in full training so tomorrow is the big day for me."

Rodrigues has managed just one full appearance for Cherries since returning to the club in the summer.

An unrelated hamstring problem kept him out in early August before he reclaimed his place against Colchester in September.

And the popular Portuguese had netted three goals in four games before his injury jinx struck again just 24 minutes into the Port Vale clash.

When asked if he was wary of coming back too soon in light of his previous problems, Rodrigues said: "That's a question a few people have been asking me but I'm feeling fine at the moment.

"Jim (Marshall, Cherries' physio) has done some good work with my recovery and I haven't felt anything with the hamstring.

"People thought I would be out for six weeks but the scan showed that it wasn't that bad. Jim said it would be three to four weeks so I'm on schedule."

Discussing the prospect of being in contention for Cherries' League One showdown with Chesterfield on Saturday, Rodrigues added: "You never know, but that will be up to the gaffer.

"It's a shame because James has got a problem with his knee so he could be out for a couple of weeks which is not good at all. I'm just coming back so I don't know what the gaffer is going to do for Saturday.

"Alan Connell is probably fitter than me and he did well when he came on in the cup game as well so it's going to be up to the gaffer."

Cherries have changed the date of their home FA Cup first round replay with Forest Green Rovers to Wednesday, November 24 (7.45pm kick-off) due to a pre-booked conference.