Christian Atsu was not part of the Bournemouth squad which earned their first ever top-flight win as they beat West Ham United 4-3 on the road on Saturday.
The Ghana winger is yet to gain full fitness after picking up a back injury in their final pre-season match.
Atsu, on-loan from Chelsea, has missed all three matches for the Cherries in the top-flight.
He trained with the team on Wednesday but manager Eddie Howe did not want to rush him.
Bournemouth’s Callum Wilson grabbed a hat-trick in the dramatic encounter.
Wilson scored twice in the first half with first-time finishes, with left-back Aaron Cresswell at fault for both.
Mark Noble scored a penalty for West Ham and Cheikhou Kouyate levelled.
Marc Pugh put the Cherries ahead from 16 yards and Wilson scored a penalty, with Carl Jenkinson sent off, before Modibo Maiga ensured a tense finale.
Jenkinson’s sending off, for a foul on the lively Max Gradel, was West Ham’s fifth red card of the season.
