EDDIE: IT’S NOT THE TIME FOR CHERRY-PICKING

EDDIE HOWE does not expect January to be a “huge window” for Bournemouth – and says his players have shown they have what it takes to move the club forward.

The Cherries host local rivals Southampton today buoyed by their midweek victory over Leicester, their third win in five top-flight games.

Midfielder Marc Pugh scored the only goal of the game on his first league start of the season, while on-loan Arsenal man Jack Wilshere returned to the side as boss Howe (right) freshened things up following their defeat by Burnley.

But the Cherries chief is not planning to rush into any panic buys.

He said: “I don’t think it’ll be a huge window for us but you never know how things can change in football with injuries. At the MICHAEL DEAN moment I’m very happy with the squad. “Providing we don’t have any major setbacks in the next few weeks, I don’t think it will be a very busy month for us. “There are a couple of things we’d look to do but they wouldn’t be major moves in the market. “If any, they’d be subtle ones to make sure we are well prepared. “As far as I’m concerned we wouldn’t want to be selling any player who is a key part of our long-term plans.” Bournemouth will go above the Saints if they beat them at the Vitality Stadium for a second season running. But Howe believes there is more at stake than just getting one over their neighbours. He said: “It is a big game for the fans and an important one. But we’re aware every game is important in the Premier League.”