Eddie Howe says Stoke 'are better than their league position'

Eddie Howe says he has been impressed by Stoke despite their disappointing start to the season.

The Potters are inside the relegation zone, are yet to win in the league from their opening six matches and are currently down in 18th spot.

Bournemouth travel to the Britannia Stadium on Saturday and Howe admits: "When I have reviewed Stoke's games I have been very impressed.

"They don't look like a team that haven't won yet. They are the kind of side that you will see in a few weeks and they will be in a very different position.

"But we don't need to worry about that. We know that if we are at our best we can beat anyone in this league, so it's down to us.

"The performance against Sunderland was good but we will prepare for Stoke on an individual basis.

They don't look like a team that haven't won yet.

"We are not at the stage where we can start to group games together. We want points from every game."

Looking ahead to the fixture, Howe says skipper Tommy Elphick and midfielder Harry Arter are missing because of injury.

He added: "Both Tommy and Harry are still out. Tommy has flown to Sweden to get an update on his injury and Harry is still continuing his rehab.

"Harry has had a little niggle this week, not on his original injury, so it's just a case of letting that settle down.

"But that's only natural when you've been out for the length of time that he has.