Howe: Barnard position will be re-assessed

AFC Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe will reassess loanee Lee Barnard's position in January.

The Southampton striker was signed on loan until January by former manager Paul Groves on the eve of the new Football League season.

He made his debut against Portsmouth, scoring the Cherries equalising goal at Fratton Park and has gone on to score a further three goals in 16 appearances this season.

Southampton refused to allow Barnard to play in the FA Cup for the Cherries, so Barnard missed the trip to Carlisle in the second round and with AFC Bournemouth winning, Howe kept an unchanged squad for the trip to Scunthorpe last Saturday.

Brett Pitman, on loan from Bristol City, but who will be re-joining the Cherries on a permanent basis in January started up front alongside top scorer Lewis Grabban, whilst on the substitutes bench, Howe had a variety of options from Josh McQuoid, Matt Tubbs, Steve Fletcher and fit again Dutch striker Frank Demouge.

Howe told the Daily Echo...

"We have real competition for places in the striking department but Lee is still very much part of our squad. The difficulty we have is that he is a loan player and we have contracted players. That is the dilemma and it is a really difficult one.

"I can only speak very highly of Lee`s attitude and commitment to the cause since he has been here and we will re-assess his position in January.

"It is a really tough call, especially when Lee has worked as hard as he has when he has played. He has been unfortunate because we have very good strikers and they are all champing at the bit to play.

RednBlack Shack

Don't forget to keep checking the RednBlack Shack for great online deals and help to raise money for the AFC Bournemouth Youth Team.

It's easy to join AFCB Vital

With Vital Bournemouth you can win prizes just by having your say on the articles, polls and forums, click the link to register.

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.