Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Sporting ExcitementSporting Excitement

Premier League

Eddie Howe claims Bournemouth will emerge STRONGER from lockdown as five crocked stars return

, Eddie Howe claims Bournemouth will emerge STRONGER from lockdown as five crocked stars return

EDDIE HOWE believes his Cherries squad is STRONGER than before lockdown.

The Bournemouth boss cannot wait to commence the club’s nine-game relegation battle, starting with Crystal Palace.

Eddie Howe will have a number of players back from long-term injury
, Eddie Howe claims Bournemouth will emerge STRONGER from lockdown as five crocked stars return
Bournemouth’s players are back and raring to go for the resumed season

Howe will have several key players fit again when Roy Hodgson’s Eagles visit the Vitality Stadium next month.

David Brooks, Lloyd Kelly and Arnaut Danjuma are back on duty after long-term injuries, with fit-again Steve Cook and Chris Mepham also ready for action.

Howe, back at his desk plotting team tactics after the 12-week enforced break, said: “It’s really good getting back to work.

“The stuff we did with groups of five was very productive and very enjoyable — but I’m still delighted to get back to full- contact training.

“And I’m also delighted to be in the office preparing for the Premier League restart, planning has definitely started for Palace.

“We have got just over three weeks to get our preparations right — and that time is going to zip by.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

“We must now make sure the players are fit, ready and able to cope with the demands that come afterwards.

“These nine games are so important to us and we need to get our best players on the pitch.”

BROOKES BACK

Bournemouth are third bottom in the table, with the same points (27) as West Ham (16th) and Watford (17th).

But Howe believes he has a better armoury now to face his relegation rivals.

Wales midfielder Brooks, 22, enjoyed a magnificent debut season for the Cherries — scoring seven goals and also racking up five assists.

But he has yet to kick a ball this campaign after suffering an ankle injury in July.

Defender Kelly, a £13million signing from Bristol City last summer, is still to make his Premier League debut after picking up a thigh injury.

Dutchman Danjuma is also back in the frame after two foot injuries restricted the classy winger to just nine appearances since his summer move from Club Brugge.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

FIVE PLAYERS BACK

Howe, 42, added: “Fingers crossed we will have a stronger squad than when we stopped playing.

“Yes, it will be a huge lift and boost for us when we get Brooks back — we’ve definitely missed him this season.

“He’s a very, very good player and did so well for us last season, building up such good relationships with all the others around him.

“So far he is looking good and I’m really happy with his progress, fingers crossed he will be OK for the first game.

“But it’s not just him. There are other players that could come back into contention.

“Arnaut Danjuma, Chris Mepham, Lloyd Kelly and Steve Cook are all back in training and they were not available when we stopped.

“I would like to think by the time we get back to playing, we will be stronger in defence and other areas as well.”

Howe’s training plans were rocked last week when keeper Aaron Ramsdale tested positive for coronavirus, as exclusively revealed by SunSport.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

But Howe was happy to declare that his star striker Joshua King had settled back into training with no problem.

King, whose wife had just given birth to a baby girl, expressed fears back home in Norway that he was now worried about returning to the UK because he has asthma.

Howe confessed: “Obviously Aaron’s positive test ramped up the anxiety within the squad.

“And the seriousness of this virus really brought it closer to home for us. But we had no players that didn’t want to train.

“There was no problem with Joshua. He joined in just fine.”

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

, Eddie Howe claims Bournemouth will emerge STRONGER from lockdown as five crocked stars return

Advertisement
Advertisement

Latest

Premier League

Arsenal Fans Rally Behind Jailed Journalist Evan Gershkovich, an Arsenal fan and journalist, remains confined in Moscow's Lefortovo Prison on spying charges laid by...

Premier League

West Ham Owner's Criticism David Sullivan, the co-owner of West Ham, has criticized Championship clubs for their high player and manager salaries, questioning why...

Premier League

Heartbreak at Euro 2024 Play-Off Exit Former Arsenal player and Wales captain, Aaron Ramsey, is contemplating his future with the national team following their...

Premier League

Bayern Munich Seeking New Manager Former Manchester United manager Ralf Rangnick is reportedly being considered for the Bayern Munich job as the German giants...

Premier League

Premier League Apologizes for Late Change Tottenham's upcoming clash with Nottingham Forest has been rescheduled with just ten days' notice, causing inconvenience for fans....

Premier League

Arsenal's Search for a New Striker Arsenal continues to hunt for a new striker as Mikel Arteta looks to strengthen his front line. Victor...

Advertisement
Advertisement

Facebook

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement