CAUTIOUS Cherries star Shaun Maher is poised to take another major step on the road to recovery this week - but admits he is still "taking each day as it comes".

Maher has been sidelined for almost 10 months after suffering a serious knee injury just six weeks into last season during Cherries' 2-2 draw at Darlington in September.

But the 24-year-old has been pencilled in to make his comeback in one of this week's friendlies and could feature in tonight's pre-season curtain-raiser against Hamworthy Recreation at Magna Road (6.30pm kick-off).

Maher made just nine league and cup appearances before his season was brought to a premature end when it was discovered he had sustained cruciate ligament damage to his left knee.

And after going under the surgeon's knife to cure the problem in December, the Dublin-born defender started out on the long road to fitness towards the end of last season.

Maher, speaking exclusively to the Daily Echo, said last night: "I did quite a bit of strengthening work on my leg over the summer and that has paid off because my knee is feeling good at the moment.

"It's alright my knee feeling good on the training ground though, but the real test will come in a game situation. I haven't played for close to 10 months so hopefully I will play some part in the games this week.

"These pre-season games are going to be massive for me because not only am I looking at working on my fitness, but I'm also looking to regain the confidence to prepare for the bigger challenges down the line.

"I can't wait to get started, but then again I've got to be cute to know when enough is enough because I've done quite a lot in a short space of time in the last few days.

"Everything's gone really well, but I don't want to push things too far too soon and end up on my backside again. I'm not thinking too far ahead and I don't want to jump the gun.

"If I don't play against Hamworthy, I would hope to play against Poppies on Thursday. I'm only looking as far as the next game or training session and we will have to see how things go this week."

Cherries boss Sean O'Driscoll is set to pick from a full-strength squad tonight, with the only exception being central defender Jason Tindall who is recovering from ankle surgery.

Karl Broadhurst is also expected to feature for the first time since sustaining a shoulder injury in February, while Matt Tubbs and John Purches are also in the Cherries squad.

Striker Tubbs, who is still registered as a scholar with Bolton, rejoined Cherries on work experience at the end of last season and has been training with O'Driscoll's squad.

Purches, the younger brother of utility man Steve, was on non-contract forms at Dean Court last season and is also training with Cherries.

The cost of admission to tonight's match is £3 for adults and £1 for children.

Hamworthy Recreation: (from) Leonard, D Moores, G Scott, Elmes, Riding, Lockyer, Notley, Peat, Rigler, J Moores, A Scott, Hurren, Brett, Daniel and Withey.