Three games, three finals for Zemura

BOURNEMOUTH. — Scott Parker has challenged his Cherries charges to “maintain” their English Premiership promotion push in the final three games of the season.

Cherries’ late comeback 3-3 draw away at Swansea City on Wednesday was tempered by the fact that their nearest rivals, Nottingham Forest, were victorious away at champions-elect Fulham.

Bournemouth’s promotion, which will be guaranteed with a second place finish, will mean the arrival of another Zimbabwean star in the English Premiership.

Jordan Zemura has been one of the Cherries stars in this campaign and, should his team secure promotion, he will join Marvelous Nakamba in the world’s richest league.

Zambia already have two players — Patson Daka (Leicester City) and Enoch Mwepu (Brighton and Hove) — in the English Premiership.

The results on Wednesday means Bournemouth’s lead has now been cut down to just three points and the Cherries will now need to at least match the Tricky Trees’ results in the final three games.

In an almost fateful twist to the fixture list, Nottingham Forest visit the Vitality Stadium for the penultimate game of the season.

Parker stressed the need for his side to remain objective, stating: “We need to maintain where we are.

“We have another big game now in Blackburn away, then we play Forest and Millwall.

“I have always stated this season will be some ups and downs and blips along the way. It’s going to be a tight remaining part of it.

“But it’s honestly irrelevant. We need to get better in certain areas — that was clear tonight.

“Then there’s other areas we need to keep pushing and going.”

Cherries visit play-off chasing Blackburn this Saturday before welcoming Nottingham Forest to the Vitality Stadium next Tuesday.

Cherries’ crunch promotion clash against Nottingham Forest will be shown live on Sky Sports.

The game was originally due to take place on Friday, February 18 in front of the Sky cameras.

However, the fixture was postponed at the eleventh hour, due to damage caused to Vitality Stadium by Storm Eunice.

The new timing of the contest now sees it become potentially a promotion decider for who will join Fulham in the Premier League next season.

Forest are in third, three points behind Cherries, with each side having three games to play.

Cherries could clinch promotion with victory over Forest next Tuesday, although that would also depend on results this weekend.

Parker’s side head to play-off chasing Blackburn Rovers, while Cooper’s charges host Swansea on Saturday (both 3pm).

Then, Cherries host Forest on Tuesday, May 3, kicking off at 7pm, ahead of the final weekend of the season.

Cherries finish their season at home to Millwall on Saturday, May 7, while Forest will head to Hull City.