Eddie Howe has been speaking to the press in the last few moments, discussing Saturday’s defeat at Arsenal and issuing a Monday morning update on the fitness front.
After criticism over the weekend, he’s admitted that Sven Botman is still working his way back to his best after suffering a ‘very serious knee injury’ a few months ago. Howe insists the Dutchman isn’t playing with an injury, but it’s something the club are continuing to monitor.
Elsewhere, Howe is unsure if Martin Dubravka (ill) will recover in time for tomorrow’s trip to Blackburn, feels Joe Willock is ‘very close to starting’ after his cameo at Arsenal and that Alexander Isak is in a much better position after coming through 60 minutes at the Emirates.
Nick Pope is still a ‘number of weeks away’ despite returning to the gym, but Elliot Anderson and Matt Targett are both ‘close’ to comebacks after overcoming long-term injuries.
Here’s what Howe’s had to say on all of the above just moments ago:
Howe on Botman – “Sven had a very serious knee injury. He’s come back to fitness, I think he’s improved with each game but I think he’s still working his way back to his very best levels. With his knee injury, it’s something we’re monitoring and we hope he doesn’t feel his knee and can adapt to Premier League football.
“No (there’s no concern he hasn’t overcome the injury) to play Premier League football you need to be in peak physical condition, you can’t get away with it if you’re not. Hopefully within the next few weeks he’ll be back to his very best levels.
“I don’t think he’s feeling the knee. I think he’s fine. To play Premier League football, you can’t play if you not, I wouldn’t say 100 per cent because no player ever is, but he’s feeling good. It’ll just take him a little time to get back to his levels.
“There should be no focus on Sven, the focus needs to be on the team. There wasn’t one individual who let us down. I’d say us all, myself included, weren’t at our best against Arsenal and, if you do that against the very best, you get punished.”
Howe on Dubravka and Karius – “We hope that he (Dubravka) has improved (from illness) and is available for selection but at this moment we don’t know.
“I think in a very difficult performance for the team, Loris [Karius] did OK. He made a couple of good saves and controlled his box pretty well so I think he’ll be pleased considering he hasn’t played for a year.”
Howe on Willock and Isak – “Delighted with Joe’s return, I thought he looked very good when he came on. He scored a typical Joe Willock goal and that was good to see.
“It’s probably something I’ll have to discuss with the medical team. He’s done a lot of work, he is very close to starting. That’ll be a judgement call really.”
“Alex got 60 good minutes into his legs and that will do him the world of good.”
Howe on Nick Pope – “There’s no immediate update but he’s not on the verge of returning. He’s working his way back and is still very much gym-based. He has done a couple of sessions outside but they’re very, very gentle at this stage. I still think he’s a number of weeks away.”
Howe on Targett and Anderson – “They’re getting there. It’s been a long road for both of them. Matt’s injury was quite clear cut, a bad tear in his hamstring and an operation.
“Elliot’s had a very, very difficult injury because he felt OK but the scan said it was a stress fracture in his back so he had to give it a lot of rest. He’s worked really hard and has felt good. Both are close to returning.”
Kevin Keegan you were a king and bobby Robson was a king now Eddie howe is our king now love you all
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