Howe offers update on Guimaraes, Saint-Maximin & Wilson ahead of West Ham clash

Eddie Howe is 'hopeful' Bruno Guimaraes, Callum Wilson and Allan Saint-Maximin will all return soon after missing our last two games.

Howe is hoping that they 'can get a couple back', but does not expect all three of them, who all suffered hamstring injuries, to return to the squad for Sunday’s trip to West Ham.

Wilson picked up his knock against Manchester City and was subsequently brought off in the second half, but thankfully it was not thought to be serious and was expected to miss just a handful of games.

On the other hand, Bruno was unfortunate to pick his up in the final few minutes of the League Cup match against Tranmere while Saint-Maximin hobbled off after scoring a stunning volley against Wolves in the 90th minute.

Despite the injuries, the 44-year-old has heaped praise on the players who have stepped up to help the squad - mainly Ryan Fraser, Eliott Anderson and Sean Longstaff - describing them as 'incredible'.

On the injured players, Howe said: “Hopefully, they will (all) be back soon. Hopefully, they are not going to be too far away. Maybe not all three together, but certainly, we hope to get a couple back soon.

“I think if you take these players out of any team, the real attacking players who can make a difference, you are going to notice it. We have noticed it. We have missed them.

“However, in saying that, I have to give a big compliment to the players that have played these three games (Wolves, Liverpool, Crystal Palace) in a week. I think they have been incredible.”

There were rumours that Bruno and Saint-Maximin may return to the bench against Palace which turned out to be too much of a risk for Howe, but with a full weeks rest before West Ham, we could see the duo back in the squad.