Source: Bournemouth_Echo
Cherries: Howe's fears if more players are sold
EDDIE Howe believes Cherries' against-all-odds promotion push could bite the dust if more of his prized assets exit Dean Court this month. Howe is hoping to keep his squad intact during January as he continues to mastermind Cherries' quest for Championship status. Despite already losing ace marksmen Brett Pitman and Josh McQuoid this season, Howe has managed to keep Cherries in the League One play-off mix, his men rising to third after starting 2011 with back-to-back victories. With the transfer window now open for business, Howe admitted it would be no surprise to see his top players catch the eye, with both Marc Pugh and Marvin Bartley recently linked with moves to rival clubs. But the Cherries chief told the Echo: I don't think we can afford to lose any more I really don't. We've lost two and that was hard. We couldn't lose any more. We can't take any more of our best players away because it will seriously weaken us. We need to keep everyone together and we need to try to add people the other way. I think all of our players should be getting attention because we're a young squad, all the players are the right age and they are doing really well. As a team, we're doing well and, individually, the lads are improving and getting better all the time. I think it is encouraging that people are looking at them. But if you want to be successful and try to build something, you can't lose three in a season. Howe revealed that he was keeping an eye on potential recruits in the hope of strengthening his squad, although he does not predict much movement in the market. He added: You are always on the look out for players, regardless of how well or badly you are doing. It's my job to be on the lookout and to try to improve the squad. We have a very strong squad. I won't be doing a lot of business it will be a case of, maybe, trying to add one or two of the right faces into the mix of what is currently a very competitive and well balanced squad. Chairman Eddie Mitchell has confirmed that Cherries' transfer embargo remains loosened. Meanwhile, the Dean Court outfit is expected to try to extend the loan of in-form Tottenham Hotspur defender Adam Smith after his deal expired on Monday.