AFC Bournemouth
AFC Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe anticipates having none of his walking wounded available for tomorrow’s Emirates FA Cup third round clash with Luton Town.
The Cherries’ lengthy injury list shows no signs of easing ahead of the visit of Luton to Vitality Stadium, the Hatters currently propping up the Championship.
Luton old boy Jack Stacey will definitely miss out on a reunion with his former club having sustained a hamstring injury in the 2-0 defeat by Brighton six days ago.
Asked at his pre-match press conference whether any players would be in a position to return, Howe replied: “This weekend, probably not and the week after, we’ll wait and see.
“We need to make sure the players that are injured are not just fit but able to fully perform at their levels so we’re trying to build everybody up as quickly as possible while making sure we don’t re-injure anyone.”
Striker Sam Surridge, recalled from a loan spell with Swansea City this week, could be in contention to feature.
Asked how he would be approaching the game, Howe said: “We’ll try to pick the strongest team we can.
“There will be a couple of players who will miss out, players who have been nursing injuries but trying to play through them.
“It’s brilliant of them to do that for the team but we need to look after them and make sure we don’t do any more damage and try to get them in a better place to perform at their normal levels.
“It’s a really important game for us. It’s a game we have to try to perform very well in and try to get through to the next round to give everyone that lift that only winning can get you.
“It’ll be a tough game, every game is difficult and it doesn’t matter which competition you are in. We know they’ll be motivated and we need to make sure our mindset is very good.
“I’ve got a lot of time for Graeme Jones. I’ve known him a long time and he’s done a great job.
“It’s been very tough for them because they sold a few players before their first season back in the Championship. I always think that’s very difficult.
“We signed Jack Stacey who’s done really well for us so Graeme is doing a great job in very tough conditions.”
Defeat at West Ham on New Year’s Day saw the Cherries slip into the Premier League’s bottom three.
Asked how he hoped to get the season back on track, Howe said: “Working smarter and trying to turn the position we’re in is what we’re focussing on.
“I think playing with our true identity is the key thing for us. Times like this is when you have to nail down the basics of what you want in and out of possession and making sure you don’t lose what you think are your strengths.
“That’s absolutely key for us at the moment, that’s what we’re going to try to focus on, doing what we do better than ever.
“If we can do that, I think the confidence will return. It goes without saying how motivated I am and how motivated the players are to turn this round and make sure we remain a Premier League club.”
