Howe speaks out on finishing 11th, summer plans, Callum Wilson and Joelinton injury

Following our 2-1 victory over Burnley, Eddie Howe offered an update on Joelinton’s injury and admitted that even “I’m not sure I could have seen it (the turnaround) coming” after securing an 11th placed finish

The boss praised the team for “digging in” in what wasn’t the greatest game to watch, but was crucial in pushing us up into mid-table – a feat nobody could see coming in December.

It is officially our highest points tally since the 2013/14 season and, considering we didn’t win a single one of our first 14 games, that is some achievement for Howe.

The 44-year-old concealed that “it wasn’t our technically purest game” but was “delighted” for Callum Wilson who scored twice on his third game back from a four month injury.

In terms of new signings, Howe revealed that he doesn’t “want to break the unbelievable spirit and mentality” that he currently has in this squad.

The good news is that Joelinton is apparently “in good spirits” after an injury that left him with a “deep laceration” and hopefully should be fully recovered in a few weeks.

Here’s what he had to say on all the above:

On Wilson:

“Delighted for him personally, He took his goals very well. His performances in the two games since he’s come back have been top class. We needed him today, I thought he led the line very well.”

On the summer:

“We have an unbelievable spirit and mentality about the group at the moment, I don’t want to break that.

“I think that’s my biggest challenge, to harness and keep all the good aspects of our second half of the season while evolving and improving with new additions.”

On Joelinton:

“It didn’t look good at the time. I could see from the way he went down, I was thinking, ‘This could be serious’. It’s a deep laceration, and I think when the doctor saw him initially, he could see part of his bone.”

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