Premier League’s 11,000-capacity stadium NOT READY for weekend clash as builders work round clock on new additions

BOURNEMOUTH builders are working around the clock to get the revamped Vitality Stadium ready for Saturday’s home kick-off against Everton. The Cherries announced last week their home will be open for business intime with sections of the stadium closed. Bournemouth have been upgrading the Vitality Stadium Credit: Alamy The Cherries’ home is still a building site Credit: Graham Nickless Lifting machinery is being used just days before Bournemouth are due to host Everton Credit: Graham Nickless New seats are being put in place in the north west and east corners of the arena Credit: Alamy But exclusive SunSport photos show huge lifting machinery still beingused with just five days to go before Everton head to the south coast. Floodlights at two of the corners of the Steve Fletcher and TedMacDougall stands behind the goal have been moved to make way for thenew corners. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! The north west and east corners, which are set to hold an extra 800 fans, will not be ready until early in the season. When one security guard was asked last night if the stadium would beready for Saturday he raised his eyebrows and puffed out his cheeks. And then he smiled: “Of course it will be ready!” The main cark park and surrounding pathways around the stadium arefull of rubble, iron and concrete fittings that need to be cleared forsafety standards. Extensive work has been carried out by Bournemouth to meet Europeanfootball regulations having qualified for the Europa League for thefirst time in their history. Media facilities have had to be improved for additional overseas TVand radio commentators, reporters and photographers. Most read in Sport SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET UP TO £100 BONUS Floodlights have been moved Credit: Graham Nickless Rubble needs to be cleared to meet safety standards Credit: Graham Nickless The Cherries have also revamped their hospitality suites and laid a newpitch for the start of the new campaign. Bournemouth’s billionaire American owner Bill Foley and the boardopted to expand their current home rather than build a new stadiumaway from the site. The Vitality Stadium will grow from roughly 11,300 seats to 20,200when all the work has been completed by around the summer of 2027. Bournemouth started their season with a last-gasp 2-1 defeat to Manchester City on Sunday. The Vitality Stadium’s capacity will increase when work is finished Credit: Graham Nickless New seats will not be in place for Everton’s trip Credit: Alamy Bournemouth have construction fences surrounding their home Credit: Graham Nickless The Cherries started the season with a narrow defeat to Manchester City Credit: Getty Comment now