Eddie Howe delighted to have Tyrone Mings back for Bournemouth against Tottenham

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe says he is delighted to have Tyrone Mings back from his five-match ban as they prepare to tackle second-placed Tottenham.

Mings was handed an extended suspension by the Football Association after it was found he had stamped on the head of Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic during a fiery contest at Old Trafford on March 4.

Both the player and club protested their innocence in the aftermath, and Howe admits it has been a challenging period for the former Ipswich man, who also spent a lengthy spell on the sidelines following a serious knee problem suffered at the start of the 2015/2016 campaign.

"It can seem like a long time five games, so we are delighted to have him back," Howe said at a press conference on Thursday.

"He has been frustrated because he is fit and he has had a long-term injury to contend with previously."

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Bournemouth saw their unbeaten five-game run which started with the draw against Manchester United brought to an end with a 3-1 home defeat by leaders Chelsea last Saturday.

Bournemouth head into the Easter fixtures in 15th place, seven points clear of the relegation battle and needing probably at least one more victory to secure a third consecutive season in the top flight.

Howe, though, knows getting a positive result at White Hart Lane will be a significant challenge, with England forward Harry Kane having returned from an ankle injury in a second-half cameo during their 4-0 demolition of Watford.

"Kane is one of their key players, but it is very difficult to focus on one player because if he doesn't punish you, someone else will," the Bournemouth manager said.

"You always want to play against their best players, but you do tend not to focus on the individual player unless there is key information and a key strength or weakness, but we will be well prepared.

"We know we need more points so we are desperate to do that and if we don't do that in our next game, we have got five other games to do so."

Bournemouth midfielder Dan Gosling is doubtful for the trip to White Hart Lane with a knee problem, but winger Junior Stanislas could feature as he recovers from a groin strain.

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