Howe said: “You can not plan for injures but they happen in football”.
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“He followed my journey through and saw all my youth-team games, reserve-team games and first-team games, so I knew that Mick had my back”.
‘That is credit to him for the way he started the season but I see no reason why Callum can’t come back even better than he was before’.
‘He was always there win, lose or draw and was Bournemouth through and through.
Bournemouth had the better of the two meetings between the sides in the second tier last season, picking up four points from a possible six, including a 2-0 win at the Vitality Stadium in January.
Bournemouth have been stunned by the news key striker Callum Wilson has been ruled out of action for more at least six months. A feeling of torpor has engulfed Bournemouth that will test the resolve of fans and club alike. Wilson joins captain Tommy Elphick, Harry Arter, Tyrone Mings and Max Gradel on the sidelines.
Alessandro Diamanti is not yet fit enough to play from the start for the visitors, while Valon Behrami serves the final match of his suspension following his red card against Swansea.
“But the thing that strikes me most with this situation is that when Palace were having a bit of trouble with injuries last season and looking for a number nine to score goals, they turned to Muzza”. Joel Ekstrand is still sidelined with a knee injury, but Obbi Oulare could be among the substitutes. “I watched their last two matches and we have lots of information (on Bournemouth) from a year ago”. It will also be odd seeing a Bournemouth side without the Englishman up front something that manager Eddie Howe realises.
He was set to be a key player for the club this campaign, and Bournemouth will not have to look to back-ups Glenn Murray and Josh King among others, to step up.
The striker’s lay-off means Watford’s Odion Ighalo will be the only free-scoring forward on the pitch on Saturday – the Nigerian has four goals to his name already this season. The manager has ensured we are hard to beat and he has done a great job with the team.
Wilson lasted for just 17 minutes against the Potters following a challenge with visiting defender Philipp Wollscheid and, post-match, Howe admitted it did not look good.
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This could be a cracker of a game but Watford are likely to edge this one.
