Howe reveals triple boost ahead of Aston Villa clash as positive injury updates arrive

Speaking to the press this morning, Eddie Howe has issued a promising injury update ahead of tomorrow's clash with Aston Villa.

The first piece of good news is on Allan Saint-Maximin, with the boss revealing that he could be back on the bench this weekend after making "really good progress" in training.

Howe will assess how he looks in training today, but it's great to hear the Frenchman could feature so soon after suffering a small injury setback.

Elsewhere, Elliot Anderson is fit again after a "niggle" kept him out of last Sunday's 2-1 win at Spurs, with the manager revealing that it's been a "good week" in training, insisting his team are "fully prepared" for Aston Villa and in good shape despite the busy run of fixtures.

Jonjo Shelvey is also ready to play after featuring for the first time this season at Tottenham and Alexander Isak "5-6 weeks" away, meaning he'll be fit and ready to return once football resumes after the World Cup.

Here's what Howe's had to say on all of the above:

Howe on fitness levels after three games in a week:

"It's been a good week for us.

"The players, naturally, after three games in a week were feeling the effects of that early in the week but we've trained well so we're all fully prepared."

Howe on Allan Saint-Maximin:

"Yeah there's a chance (he features against Aston Villa).

"We'll see how training goes today.

"He's made really good progress and I'm very pleased with how he's attacked his rehab and the work he's put in so there's an opportunity to hopefully get him fit and available."

Howe on Elliot Anderson:

"He's OK. He had a minor niggle [before Spurs] and it was nothing serious, so he's back in the squad for this week."

Howe on Alexander Isak:

"Alex has been having a couple of injections on his thigh. I believe that has gone well and the medical team are happy with where he stands.

"But it's a 5-6 week injury so as I've said he won't be back before the World Cup."

Howe on Jonjo Shelvey:

"He's got real qualities we need. He has experience, he understands his position and he's got that range of passing that the team clearly needs so he's going to have a huge role to play."