Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe excited by Benik Afobe potential
Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe is excited by the potential of new signing Benik Afobe but is determined not to place any pressure on the young striker to make an immediate impact.
Afobe, 22, joined the Cherries from Sky Bet Championship side Wolves for an undisclosed fee on Sunday and has signed a four-and-half-year deal with the Barclays Premier League outfit.
The former Arsenal player has been a regular goalscorer in the lower leagues, including a prolific stint with MK Dons last season, and Howe believes he has ability to do well in the top flight as well.
"He is entering a new league and that is going to be a big experience for him but we believe he can make the step up," Howe told a press conference.
"He is strong, you just look at him and know he is going to be a handful, but he has good technique.
"I am excited by that because I think there is a lot of potential in him and he is a really good age, and I think there are a lot of good years ahead of him."
It remains to be seen when Afobe will make his Bournemouth debut, with the striker waiting for clearance to see if he will be available to face West Ham on Tuesday, but whatever happens Howe does not want to put too many demands on his new player straight away.
Howe added: "He may need a little bit of time to settle as most new players do for us because of the way we play, so we are not placing huge expectation on his shoulders."
Afobe is Bournemouth's second signing of the January transfer window following the arrival of Juan Iturbe on loan from Roma and Howe is hopeful the Argentinian winger will be able to feature against the Hammers.
Howe said: "We are in the hands of the authorities, we have submitted all the paper work we need to, I'd say it is a 50/50 call as to whether we see him or not."
Although he has already made two early swoops in the transfer market, Howe is still confident of attracting more players to Bournemouth before the window closes.
"We are still looking, no guarantees but we are hoping to add to the squad," the 38-year-old said.
Bournemouth won their first game in the Premier League against West Ham in August and Howe is hopeful they can do the double over the London side.
Howe, whose side are currently four points above the relegation zone in 16th place, said: "It was a big day for the club, it was our first win in the Premier League.
"I am full of admiration for Slaven Bilic and the job he has done at West Ham this season, I think they are a really competitive side so we know we are in for a battle but if we can replicate our good form then we have got a good chance."
Bournemouth will be without Tokelo Rantie (knock), Josh King (muscle injury), Callum Wilson, Tommy Elphick and Max Gradel (all knee injuries).
West Ham manager Bilic does not need to swot up on Bournemouth new boy Afobe - as he was expecting to face him three days earlier.
Striker Afobe was due to be in the Wolves squad which travelled to Upton Park in the FA Cup on Saturday, only to be withdrawn as transfer talks with the Cherries progressed.
"We were expecting him to play on Saturday so I have already watched him in a few games," said the West Ham boss.
"They have also signed Juan Iturbe from Roma who is a great winger. Bournemouth are thinking big so well done to them.
"They had a lot of injuries and have done well to maintain good results without those players, but they have probably been waiting for this transfer window."
Bournemouth were surprise 4-3 winners at Upton Park in August, so Bilic knows exactly what to expect from Howe's men as they attempt to make amends in the reverse fixture.
"They are a good side, they have been together a long time with the same manager, and now they have added a couple of players who they needed," added Bilic.
"You can see in the games every player is positive, they are not afraid of the ball. They enjoy playing football."
Bilic will check on Enner Valencia and Cheikhou Kouyate ahead of the trip to Bournemouth.
Winger Valencia and midfielder Kouyate missed Saturday's FA Cup win over Wolves to rest minor knocks and will be assessed ahead of kick-off.
Victor Moses is back in training after a hamstring injury but will not be involved while Manuel Lanzini and Diafra Sakho (both thigh) are still out.
Source: PAR
