Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe unlikely to sign players in January

Friday 29 December 2017 15:48, UK

Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe says he does not expect to be busy in the upcoming January transfer window.

Howe does not have any specific transfer targets on his radar, and he insists his main focus is on improving his current squad as the Cherries look to avoid relegation.

Bournemouth, who have not won in their last nine Premier League games, face resurgent Everton at home on Saturday, with the Toffees on a seven-match unbeaten run since Sam Allardyce's arrival as boss in November.

Howe said: "In terms of January, I don't think our minds are on a specific target, or a position, or a player that is going to come in and be a solution.

"My thought at the moment is to try and find solutions within the squad that we have and try and get everyone performing at their best, because I believe if we do that we will have no problems.

"January, I wouldn't say is on the back-burner, but for me it's very much focusing on my squad that is my priority.

"It's not to say that [buying] is a definite no - that we won't look and try - because that is always our responsibility; to make sure that if there was a player there that could make a difference to the team, we would make an effort to do that.

"But it's not going to be at the forefront of my mind, change must come from the players we have."

Howe also offered high praise of Allardyce ahead of Saturday's clash at the Vitality Stadium.

He said: "Sam Allardyce has done a great job at Everton.

"They had a tough start to the season. He's built confidence levels and got them functioning as a team. They've been able to get a couple of key results.

"He builds his teams well and builds momentum at certain clubs. He's a good guy."