AFC Bournemouth
Eddie Howe says both Steve Cook and Charlie Daniels are fit and ready for the Premier League opener with Sheffield United on Saturday.
The two defenders both got minutes last weekend in the Cherries’ final pre-season matches, and join the reckoning with what Howe calls the “best squad” he has worked with at the club.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference at Vitality Stadium, the manager gave an update on the injury situation.
He said: “I'd say they're fully fit, I'd have no problems with playing them. Steve Cook and Charlie Daniels have been out for a period of time but have come back looking very good. They’ve come back in and really given the squad a lift, which is good.
“The long termers are still out and we have the fresh ones as well: David Brooks, Lloyd Kelly and Dan Gosling.
“With Lloyd it was such a shame for him, a tackle in training that he couldn’t do anything about. Hopefully it’s not long term and he’ll be back in weeks not months. He started so well, he’s very quick, very strong and has a good attitude, it’s such a shame for him that he now has the injury.”
Harry Wilson was the fifth and final addition to the Cherries squad during the summer transfer window and joins a squad that the manager is excited to see perform in the Premier League.
“We haven’t seen too much of Harry yet, and we’ve tailored the training down in the end of the week. He’s a very clever player, good technically and had a really good season on loan with Derby last year so we’re really happy to have him.
“The players we signed I hope will do really well for us and the players we let go we wish all the best for.
“As a manager you never get totally what you want, but in the main we were well backed and supported. I’m really looking forward to working with the new players and getting to know them better.
“When everyone is back, it’s the best squad that I’ve had the privilege of managing here, we’ll work to get everyone back and we’re excited by that.”
