EDDIE’S STEADY

EDDIE HOWE is anxious for his players to avoid a crisis of confidence as they attempt to halt a Premier League slump.

Howe’s Bournemouth have lost eight of their last 11 top-flight games and travel to Everton searching for just a third win since October.

They were knocked out of the FA Cup at home to Brighton last weekend and have shipped 15 goals in their previous four games in all competitions.

They have lost captain Simon Francis, full-back Adam Smith and midfielder Lewis Cook to long-term knee injuries during the past two months.

“We’re very keen to show a response to the recent run that we’ve been on,” said Howe.

“The fixture list we had was incredibly tough, the injuries we suffered were difficult for us to handle and I think confidence just took a little knock on the back of those two things.”