Ethan Laird has come off the bench to replace Adam Smith in his two Bournemouth appearances, but the Manchester United youngster may now have a chance to stake his claim from the start.
Smith will miss the next three Championship games after being sent-off whilst on the bench at Preston North End on Saturday.
That means that Cherries boss Scott Parker is likely to choose between Laird and Jack Stacey to deputise for Smith.
While Smith was out injured in the past few months, Stacey was the only first-team right-back that Parker could call upon.
But with Laird now fit after shrugging off his hamstring issues, Parker may opt to go with the Manchester United loanee.
Despite starting 21 Championship games this season, in the two Bournemouth games that Laird has featured, Stacey was an unused substitute against Stoke and didn’t even form part of the squad that lost 2-1 at Deepdale on Saturday.
Bournemouth host Peterborough United at the Vitality Stadium and it could well be that the former Fulham boss opts to go with the attack-minded Laird against the Championship’s basement side.
During the first half of the season, Laird registered four assists during his time with Swansea City, one of which came in a 3-0 home win against Peterborough.
With games against fellow strugglers Derby County and Reading to follow, Laird will be hoping to showcase his attacking qualities and impress Parker.
With 14 Championship games left for the Cherries, the suspension of Smith could have come at a perfect time for Laird.
If he impresses Parker with three consecutive eye-catching performances, it could be Ethan Laird who is in command of Bournemouth’s right-back spot as we enter the crucial run-in stage of the season.
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