CLUB skipper Steve Fletcher is to make a shock return to the Cherries squad for today's Coca-Cola League One clash at Blackpool (3pm kick-off).

The inspirational targetman suffered discomfort in his troublesome left knee following a substitute appearance in the opening home game of the season against Walsall and went under the surgeon's knife to clean up the joint.

And although the 32-year-old has spent countless hours in the gym since the operation, he only trained with the rest of Sean O'Driscoll's squad for the first time on Thursday.

But following a full contact session yesterday morning, O'Driscoll invited the experienced striker to link up with the squad for the long trip north, an offer that took even Fletcher a little by surprise.

He explained: "Thurs-day I joined in training, but only non-contact stuff, but yesterday I did a full session and Sean came up to me after and said I looked good and asked me to travel up with the team.

"I didn't have any kit with me so I had to rush home, grab my stuff and tell the wife I couldn't pick the kids up from school!

"I think I will only be used off the bench if needed. My legs have felt a bit heavy over the last couple of days but it's been two months since I did any training like that and the knee held up well.

"To be honest, if you had told me at the Doncaster game last week I'd be on the bench at Blackpool, I'd have laughed at you. But it's great to be back training and back with the lads again."

The ongoing problems with his knees mean that Fletcher is limited with the amount of training he can do but he hopes the clean-up operation will at least see him through to the end of this season without further complications. And he admits he has his work cut out trying to regain his place in side who could be occupying a League One play-off spot come 5pm today.

He added: "It's going to be hard to find a way back in if we keep playing as we are but it's a lot easier to come back into a winning team than a losing one.

"It certainly gets harder to sit out with injury as you get older. You don't want to lose the years you have left and it's hard to watch great nights such as the victory at Blackburn as you want to be out there.

"But the problem on the knee isn't going to go away. I've just got to try and get through each season and hope it holds up."

Arsenal have agreed to extend the loan of midfielder John Spicer for a second month. The 22-year-old is hopefully of shaking off a calf injury before today's clash at Blackpool.

Tickets for Cherries' Carling Cup third round clash with Cardiff City at the Fitness First Stadium on Tuesday, October 26 are now on sale.

Normal match prices apply for the encounter, while season ticket seats will be held for purchase by the season ticket holder only on production of their season ticket and voucher B until 7.45pm on Friday, October 8.

Any seats not purchased by this time will be released and added to those on open sale.

Junior Cherry discount does not apply for any cup game.