Bournemouth winger Christian Atsu has been named in the Cherries’ 25-man squad for the first half of the English Premier League season.

MAXI Gradel and Tyrone Mings are both set for lengthy spells on the sidelines after being omitted from

Gradel and Mings, who sustained knee injuries during Cherries’ 1-1 draw with Leicester on Saturday, were not included when the paperwork was submitted to the Premier League.

Top-flight clubs had until 4pm yesterday to register their updated squad lists which had to include no more than 17 players who do not fulfil the home grown player criteria.

The remainder of the squad – up to a total of 25 – had to be home grown, having been registered with any club affiliated to the FA for three years prior to their 21st birthday.

Gradel, who could be out for six months after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament, and Mings, who is expected to be sidelined for around three months with medial ligament damage, cannot be named until the squad is re-declared in January.

Other contracted players over the age of 21 who were left out included defender Elliott Ward together with Jayden Stockley, Josh Wakefield and Stephane Zubar, who are currently on loan to Portsmouth, Yeovil and York respectively.

A major positive for Cherries was the inclusion of midfielder Harry Arter, who missed the whole of pre-season and the first four Premier League games due to a persistent groin injury.

Yann Kermorgant and Tokelo Rantie, who were both understood to be targets for other clubs ahead of the closing of the transfer window, are unlikely to be allowed to leave having both been named in the squad.

Despite not featuring in the 25, rising stars Baily Cargill and Harry Cornick are eligible to play in the Premier League as they were two of 39 players listed who are either under-21 and on contract or scholars.

Cherries’ 25-man squad for the first half of the season: Artur Boruc, Adam Federici, Ryan Allsop, Simon Francis, Adam Smith, Steve Cook, Tommy Elphick, Sylvain Distin, Charlie Daniels, Joe Bennett, Dan Gosling, Andrew Surman, Marc Pugh, Harry Arter, Shaun MacDonald, Eunan O’Kane, Junior Stanislas, Christian Atsu, Lee Tomlin, Matt Ritchie, Callum Wilson, Glenn Murray, Tokelo Rantie, Yann Kermorgant, Joshua King.