BENIK’S BIG CHANCE

BOURNEMOUTH manager Eddie Howe has backed forgotten man Benik Afobe to stun Manchester City today.

Howe is poised to call him up to replace the injured Jermain Defoe, who faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines with an ankle problem.

Former Wolves striker

Afobe (right) has made just four Premier League starts this season and has just one goal, in the League Cup.

But Howe said: “I am confident he will be ready.

Benik is a very good character.

“He has got a really good mindset and is very confident. He had this period out of the team at the start of last season, when he had to be patient.

“In the end he played a huge part in us staying up and formed a very good partnership with Joshua King.

“We know what he is capable of and back him to show that given the opportunity.” England frontman Defoe hobbled off during Bournemouth’s midweek EFL Cup defeat at Chelsea. Howe said: “We are sending Jermain to a specialist. We are concerned it could be a more serious injury than just an ankle twist.

“It would be a blow to lose Jermain for any period of time. We have suddenly been hit at the worst time. “We have a huge number of games and a lot of bodies in the treatment room.”

City are looking to extend their record-breaking run of Premier League wins to 17 matches but Howe has warned his side they cannot afford to show any fear.

“City are on their way to being a great team, but the underdog thing suits us,” added Howe. “We can be ourselves without that burden of having to get a result. We need to believe we are on the same level as Manchester City. Going in with an inferiority complex is not good.”