THANK YOU GOD... AND LINVOY PRIMUS

BOURNEMOUTH star Junior Stanislas has revealed the ‘hand of God’ and ex-Premier League defender Linvoy Primus helped him overcome his injury misery.

Stanislas spent six months out with a knee problem but is now hoping to line up against Crystal Palace tonight.

The midfielder marked his first start since March with a goal in the Cherries’ EFL Cup win over Blackburn last week and celebrated by pointing to the heavens (left).

Wide-man Stanislas said: “Coming back after being out for so long is a great feeling.

“It’s been frustrating and difficult, but I have worked hard, and it is good to be back now. My faith has helped me a lot through the good and bad times.

“Every morning I wake up and pray. When I go out on the pitch, I make the sign of the cross, and point to the skies when I score a goal.

“I went to church a lot when I was younger and so I’ve built up a bond with God and it’s grown from there really.

“That side of it has been good and has helped me get back fit.”

Stanislas says ex-Portsmouth defender and born-again Christian, Primus (right) also helped keep his spirits up during the long lay-off.

He added: “Linvoy comes in and he has helped me a lot when I was feeling a bit down.

“Adam Parrett, our new chaplain (at Bournemouth), as well. He comes in and exchanges text messages with a few of the other lads – Jermain Defoe and Marc Pugh – it is all positive stuff.

“My family has helped me a lot. I have two boys and, when you have got young kids, it takes your mind off things.

“My main focus now is to try to stay fit as long as I can.”

Cherries boss Eddie Howe also paid tribute to the work Defoe does off the pitch, particularly in keeping younger players in the right frame of mind.

Howe said: “Jermain has been really good behind the scenes and has used his experience in a really good way.

“I have seen a good response from him this season, the way he has put his arm around other players in moments when we really needed that experience to shine through.

“There have been moments where he is on the bench when he had a real positive word with the team.

“Yes, he might not be impacting on the pitch as much as he would like, but he has been having a massive impact away from that, which is absolutely massive for us.

“For us to be successful we need everyone in the squad to be contributing in some way.”