With today’s lunchtime kick off at West Ham just a few hours away, it’s a good time to look at the early team news shared by Eddie Howe in his latest pre-match press conference.
Starting with Bruno Guimaraes, Howe’s comments suggest the Brazilian may start on the bench once again, saying he could benefit from watching and learning from the sidelines – but insisting he will “start a lot of games for us” and be a “huge player” before long.
Kieran Trippier and Javier Manquillo have both been ruled out. The latter’s ankle injury is NOT thought to be serious, but he hasn’t trained all week and won’t be fit for this one – meaning Emil Krafth looks set to start at right-back.
Elsewhere, January signing Matt Targett looks set to return at left-back after being ineligible to face Aston Villa, however the likes of Callum Wilson, Federico Fernandez and Matt Ritchie remain out.
Jamaal Lascelles is available after overcoming a bug that kept him out of last weekend’s game, but there’s no guarantee that the skipper replaces Dan Burn after the Geordie giants superb debut display.
Here’s what Howe had to say on Bruno, the selection dilemmas in defence and Manquillo’s ankle injury:
Howe on Bruno Guimaraes:
“Bruno will start a lot of games for us and will be a huge player. I don’t think this period where he’s watching and learning from the Premier League is a bad thing for him although it will frustrate him because he wants to show his talent.”
Howe on Manquillo and other injuries:
“(Javier) Manquillo went off in the same game after landing awkwardly on his ankle following a header.
“He tried to carry on and couldn’t. He hasn’t trained this week
“We don’t think that’s serious but he will miss the (West Ham) game. Apart from that, we’re as we were.”
Howe on defensive options with Lascelles fit again and Burn impressing:
“It’s a welcome selection headache. These things are difficult for me to manage because you can only pick 11. But, I certainly welcome tough calls because it means the players are in a good place and performing well for the team.”
“I’ll have to make a decision that’s best for the team. You want a squad that’s pushing and fighting for each other – I think whoever plays knows if they don’t perform, they have a very good player waiting for their opportunity to get back in.”
Howe on Matt Ritchie’s injury:
“I don’t he’s necessarily longer-term.
“I think Matt’s in a good place, I don’t think he’s too far away from returning.
“It’s a strange injury with Matt, he was just striking a ball, and felt something in his knee.
“So he’s had a period where he’s had minimal activity, but he’s running again in a straight line, and he’s stepping up closer to be backing full-time with the group.
“I anticipate he won’t be too long.”
