Eddie Howe hopes Bournemouth can keep Jermain Defoe quiet

Eddie Howe has told his Bournemouth players to pay extra attention to Jermain Defoe when Sunderland visit the Goldsands Stadium on Saturday.

Howe played alongside Defoe for the Cherries in the 2000-01 season when the striker had a spell in then-Division Two on loan from West Ham.

The Bournemouth manager feels Defoe remains one of the leading finishers in the Premier League and has warned his defenders to be on their mettle this weekend.

"He is the best finisher of a ball I've ever seen," Howe said. "We will have to keep him quiet, that will make the difference on Saturday.

"We are under no illusions that these games are huge for us. They could set a platform for the rest our season. We know that.

"I don't think we are looking at Sunderland. At this stage the league table is irrelevant. We just want to win.

"They were unlucky to lose to Tottenham last week. They have a number of good players and a strong manager. They will pose a big threat on Saturday."

Howe has similar memories of Sunderland captain John O'Shea, who had three months on loan at Bournemouth the season before Defoe and played alongside the Cherries boss at the heart of their defence.

"I could immediately see how good John was," Howe said. "Playing alongside him was a great experience and something that helped me learn as well.

"I think very highly of them both, not only as players but as people. But I won't have spoken to either of them before the game. That's not my style.

"[Bournemouth] have come back well [in training following the defeat at Norwich last weekend]. The players always do.

"Confidence can be a fragile thing and our players have very good mental strength and character. They'll come out fighting on Saturday. The very least that I and the fans ask for is 100 per cent."