GOALKEEPER Gareth Stewart has finally been given the all-clear to take his place on the bench for Cherries' eagerly-awaited FA Cup fourth round clash at Stoke.

The 22-year-old looks set to be named among the Cherries substitutes for Sunday's Britannia Stadium showdown after recovering from a broken leg.

Stewart was given the green light to take his place in the Cherries squad following a consultation with top orthopaedic surgeon Gavin Bowyer yesterday.

And the Preston-born stopper has handed boss Sean O'Driscoll a timely boost by declaring his fitness earlier than his scheduled comeback date.

Stewart told the Daily Echo: "My leg feels fine and the specialist told me to go for it. He said it was nice and stable and that everything had healed well.

"I was due to see him next Thursday and maybe have a run-out in the reserves the following week so it's great to get some good news for a change.

"We brought the appointment forward a week because I felt I was progressing quite quickly, but I wanted reassuring by somebody who knows better than me.

"You always wonder especially when you get the occasional ache and pain, but he told me I was ready to push on to the next step.

"He just said to make sure I man-manage everything correctly and that if I feel any pain, I must give it some rest for a couple of days."

Stewart returned to training a week ago after fracturing the fibula in his right leg during Cherries' FA Cup second round replay win over Southend last month.

He sustained the injury just 17 minutes into his first game of the season after recovering from surgery to repair ruptured ankle ligaments in August.

But despite a lack of match practice, Stewart will return sooner than anticipated as a replacement for Andy Petterson who is struggling with a calf strain.

Stewart added: "I'm ready, willing and able to do a job if required. I've felt good in the little bit of training I've done, but nothing compensates for playing.

"In an ideal world, it would have been nice for my sharpness and awareness to have played a few reserve games, but we don't live in an ideal world.

"It's been a difficult season for everybody with injuries and the goalkeeping situation has left the manager tearing his hair out.

"So, I am happy to be able to provide cover on Sunday and do a job if necessary, although I've got my fingers crossed that I won't be needed.

"I feel fine physically and am looking forward to having a game myself next week in the reserves. It takes five or six games to get your fitness back.

"I've been doing some basic handling work in training and some fast-footwork drills to make sure my ankle and leg are both strong.

"It will be great to be back among the lads on Sunday and even better if I just stay on the bench but I'm ready if the manager needs me."

Cherries boss O'Driscoll is sweating on the fitness of three key players ahead of the trip to Staffordshire with Jason Tindall (hip), James Hayter (foot) and Wade Elliott (calf) all struggling.

The trio have not trained since the midweek defeat by Bristol City in the LDV Vans and are all expected to again sit out when Cherries are put through their paces at Canford School today.

A decision on whether they are fit enough to travel with the rest of the Cherries squad will be made following a training session at Dean Court tomorrow morning.