Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe: Charlie Austin can get into England's Euro squad
Southampton striker Charlie Austin still has "every chance" of forcing his way into England's Euro 2016 squad, according to Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe.
Cherries manager Howe hailed Saints' B#4million January capture of Austin from QPR as "good business", admitting he still rues failing to sign the former bricklayer back in 2009.
Austin hit 18 Premier League goals despite QPR suffering relegation last term, and even edged into Roy Hodgson's England squad briefly in May 2015.
The 26-year-old scored on his Southampton debut in the 1-0 win at Manchester United on January 23, and now long-term admirer Howe has tipped him to fire the goals to prove his England credentials.
"I still think he's young enough for England, and I still think the end of this season could be really important for him," said Howe, wary of Austin's influence when Bournemouth host Southampton in Tuesday's Barclays Premier League clash.
"England aren't blessed with a huge array of strikers to pick from and I still think he's got every chance to get to the Euros.
"So the end of the season's going to be important for him.
"It could possibly turn out to be a timely move. From his perspective he's got to stay fit and bang some goals in."
Only a transfer embargo prevented Howe signing Austin for Bournemouth in League Two following a pre-season trial back in 2009.
The natural poacher's 46 goals in 46 games for neighbours Poole Town the previous campaign had caught Howe's eye, and the Bournemouth boss later signed Austin in his stint as Burnley manager.
"It's good business for Southampton, they've done well," said Howe.
"We were frustrated here many years ago when we tried to sign him and we were embargoed.
"But then I was fortunate enough to take him to Burnley.
"He was outstanding and scored a lot of goals there. Charlie is someone we admire greatly and he's a real goalscorer."
Howe will hand Lewis Grabban a late fitness test ahead of hosting Saints on Tuesday, the striker making "good progress" in fighting to beat a groin strain.
The Cherries manager will also make a late decision on whether to start Max Gradel given his phased recovery from long-term knee trouble, while Junior Stanislas should miss out with a hamstring problem.
Southampton boss Ronald Koeman, meanwhile, has hailed Howe for sticking to his "brave" footballing principles, backing Bournemouth to preserve their Premier League status.
Koeman's Saints will face the Cherries at the Vitality Stadium in league action for the first time since a 3-1 win in Sky Bet League One in March 2011.
And the Dutchman praised Bournemouth counterpart Howe for instilling a deep-seated philosophy of attacking, possession football with the promoted club.
"From the outside, I'm always looking to managers about the philosophy of the team, and he has created a way to play attractive football, with good, technical players," Koeman said of Howe. "And that's what I like.
"It's brave and it's also in my opinion the most difficult way.
"It's easier to give the goalkeeper the ball, him come out of his box and play a long ball, and you fight for the second one.
"Some teams in the Premier League play like this, but I like a different way of football.
"He's a very good manager. He's been very successful, of course. He's now a long time the manager over there.
"He's doing a fantastic job. If they stay in the Premier League that will be a great effort for them and for the manager."
Republic of Ireland striker Shane Long is fighting to be fit in time for the trip after damaging a hamstring in Saturday's 2-1 home loss to Chelsea.
Koeman rated his in-form forward as "50-50" with a late fitness test in the offing while Victor Wanyama will sit out the third game of his five-match ban, imposed after his three red cards this season.
Source: PAR
