FA Cup: Millwall v Bournemouth preview

Millwall v Bournemouth preview

Bournemouth must do without captain Simon Francis for the FA Cup tie against Millwall as the defender starts a three-match ban following his red card against Arsenal in the Premier League.

Midfielder Ryan Fraser came off during the second half against the Gunners on Tuesday with an ankle problem, and is not expected to be involved. Max Gradel is away on international duty with Ivory Coast at the African Nations Cup, but his fellow forward Benik Afobe has not joined up with the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Cherries boss Eddie Howe is expected to rotate his squad, with the likes of fit-again midfielder Andrew Surman, Jordon Ibe, Lys Mousset and Lewis Grabban all options. Midfielders Lewis Cook (ankle) and Marc Pugh (hamstring) continue their rehabilitation.

Millwall manager Neil Harris has a fully-fit squad from which to choose when his team.

He he has named an unchanged XI for their past four fixtures which brought three wins and a draw and is expected to retain that same line-up on Saturday.

Sid Nelson's loan move to Newport County earlier this week means Shaun Hutchinson and Byron Webster - in particular - will remain in central defence.

Beyond that, only negative late fitness assessments are likely to inspire Harris to make changes to his team.

Bournemouth squad: Federici, B Smith, A Smith, Mings, Ake, Wilshere, Gosling, Surman, Ibe, Afobe, Mousset, Boruc, S Cook, Daniels, Arter, King, Wilson, Grabban.