AFC Bournemouth vs Everton - Howe insists main priority is PL status

Eddie Howe says Bournemouth's "main priority" is Barclays Premier League survival and has hinted he will be making changes for this weekend's cup clash - but insists that does not mean they are not focused on beating Everton.

The Cherries boss was speaking ahead of Saturday's FA Cup fifth-round meeting with the Toffees at the Vitality Stadium.

Howe said: "We would love to progress, I think I have said that before every round so that is still the same.

"Only once before have we been into the quarter-finals so that would be a really big moment for the football club if we could achieve it. So I want to pick a team that can do that but also pick a team that shows we have a good squad.

"Winning can breed confidence, even in a different competition it can ignite your season so we are looking to be professional in every game. We are looking to progress.

"We do not underestimate the challenge we have, I think Everton have a very talented squad and a very talented manager so it is going to be a really good game."

Everton boss Roberto Martinez is ready to put his faith in Joel Robles as his number one goalkeeper.

The Spaniard has had to play second fiddle to Tim Howard since leaving Wigan to reunite with Martinez at Goodison Park two-and-a-half years ago.

But Robles' performances in the cups this season coupled with some shaky displays by Howard have seen a groundswell of support for the 25-year-old to play in the Premier League as well.

He got his chance against Newcastle earlier this month when Howard was sidelined by a knee injury and took it, keeping a clean sheet in that game and the following one against Stoke.

Robles then kept his place last weekend for the 1-0 defeat by West Brom, albeit blotting his copybook with an error for Salomon Rondon's goal, despite Howard returning to the squad.

He was always going to play at Bournemouth but it seems Everton veteran Howard is now in the position of having to win his place back.

Martinez has been a staunch defender of the American all season, trumpeting his experience and value to the side, but, asked if Robles was now in possession of the shirt, the Toffees manager said: "He is.

"It's been a really good, consistent period for him and the back four. I think defensively, you look at the performance against West Brom and it's exactly what we expected. We only conceded one corner, one shot on target, and unfortunately that went in.

"To have three clean sheets before that is something we can build on and carry on on those lines.

"That's when you are in a strong position, when you've got football making the decisions. It's important that you give continuity and at the moment, Joel is doing really well.

"But Tim Howard has been injured and he hasn't been able to fight for his place back. We'll benefit from the competition for places and that's the way I want to see it."