‘No chance’ Defoe will leave Bournemouth – Howe

Eddie Howe has insisted there is “no chance” of Jermain Defoe leaving Bournemouth on loan.

Bournemouth coasted past MK Dons 3-0 in Tuesday’s Carabao Cup clash, with Lys Mousset, Ryan Fraser and Jordon Ibe finding the net.

Cherries boss Howe then scotched talk linking ex-England striker Defoe with a loan switch to Nottingham Forest.

Asked if Defoe would be allowed to head out on loan, Howe replied: “No I’m not going to let anyone go, our squad is our squad.

“We’re not huge on numbers, and we also have a couple of injuries at the moment.

“Jermain’s a valued member of our squad, we only carry four strikers so there’s absolutely no chance of him going anywhere.”

Howe revealed Mousset has suffered an ankle problem, leaving the Frenchman and Marc Pugh doubts for Saturday’s Premier League trip to Chelsea.

“Lys picked up a twisted ankle, it was serious enough for to come off; it’s reasonably serious so we’ll have to wait and see,” said Howe.

“I think Marc (Pugh) may miss this weekend at Chelsea.”

Howe made 10 changes from Saturday’s 2-2 league draw with Everton, but his side still retained its usual stylish approach.

Summer recruits Jefferson Lerma and Diego Rico showed up well on their debuts, leaving Howe happy to have some selection headaches ahead of the
weekend’s London trip.

“It’s very difficult to come straight in and go well, but they did,” said Howe, of Colombia midfielder Lerma and Spanish left-back Rico.

“It will do them the world of good to have that experience.

“There’s definitely a few things to go away and think about.

“We have a tough game at Chelsea to come, so I really wanted players to give me extra problems.

“I’m pleased overall, these are always difficult games and we know that MK Dons have had a very good start to the season.

“We were expecting a tough game but I’m really pleased with the attitude of the players.”

Visiting manager Paul Tisdale insisted he was proud of his MK Dons side’s performance, despite the heavy loss that ended their five-match unbeaten
start to the new campaign.

“I thought we did really well albeit against a very talented and quick team,” said Tisdale.

“I didn’t think our unbeaten run was going to go on forever. It had to come to an end at some point.

“If we’d gone unbeaten all season we’d be winning the League Cup and the FA Cup!

“But am I going home distraught? No. I’m actually going home happy.”