By Luke Donnelly (@LukeDonnelly01)
AFC Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe has quashed rumours that David Brooks was handed a contract extension to fend off interested parties.
Brooks who has scored six times since joining from Sheffield United in the summer, agreed a new long-term deal with the club on Monday, an extension on the four-year contract he signed last July.
The 21-year-old, had been linked with a swift move away from Vitality Stadium following his fine form, yet Howe has denied talk that Brooks was merely handed an extension to deter offers from other clubs.
“That’s not even in my mind,” Howe said.
“The idea of the contract was to reward David (Brooks). He can move on now and show his very best for Bournemouth for the next few years.
“He’s come in with a lot to prove, and in the early stages of the season he was absolutely fantastic for us
He’s developed and improved as the season’s gone on”.
Although the Cherries are without a win in six games, they will be confident of changing their fortunes as they take on rock-bottom Huddersfield tomorrow afternoon.
Their chances will be further improved as midfielder Jefferson Lerma returns from his two-match suspension, and Callum Wilson (knee) and Dominic Solanke (thigh) are back in light training with a chance of featuring at the Kirklees Stadium.
Howe said: “(Wilson) He’s done some light training this week and has been back on the grass for the first time.
“He’s been looking good, but we’ll have to pick and choose when the it’s the right moment for him to come back.”
Despite the fact AFC Bournemouth’s injury situation has been improving, Steve Cook – who has been instrumental to Cherries’ defence since the injury of Simon Francis – is out for a further five to six weeks.
Howe explained: “He had a long-standing groin injury which we felt was quite minor.
“He had an injection in that area to try to fix the problem. The injection turned into an infection, so not good news regarding that”.
The trip to Huddersfield kicks off an easier run of games for the Cherries, after February – which saw them face Liverpool, Man City and Arsenal – proved a very difficult month for the side.
AFC Bournemouth fans will hope the run of fixtures will push the side into the top 10 of the Premier League and avoid toying with a relegation battle.
Huddersfield v AFC Bournemouth will take place at the Kirklees Stadium on Saturday 9th March at 3pm.
Eddie Howe praises his AFC Bournemouth side after narrow City loss