Howe Coy On Summer Goalkeeper Search

Eddie Howe says he hasn’t fallen out with goalkeeper Asmir Begovic amid reports they will be searching for a new No.1 this summer.

Bosnia and Herzegovina international Begovic has only played twice in the Premier League since the turn of the year with Artur Boric seeing plenty of gametime, while 19-year-old Mark Travers made his senior debut in last week’s 1-0 win over Tottenham.

Reports have suggested Begovic’s exile is down to a bust-up at the training ground with Howe and the former Stoke City stopper could be moved on when the transfer window opens. Bournemouth have subsequently been linked with Stoke and England goalkeeper Jack Butland as they supposedly consider an alternative to Begovic.

Howe has now denied the speculation that he and Begovic were involved in any kind of bust-up but did stop short of ruling out trying to find a new shot stopper during the off-season. Howe said: “Some of the things that have come out this week have been totally inaccurate.

We decided to play Mark (Travers) and we rested Asmir. “He’s been given the final week of the season off to spend some extended time with his family. “But there’s nothing malicious or any stories to read into that to say that he’s played his last game for Bournemouth. “Who knows what the summer brings for him and for us, but there’s been no fall out and he’s still a top professional.”