MANAGER Eddie Howe is convinced strike duo Lewis Grabban and Brett Pitman have the credentials to form a fruitful partnership in Cherries’ attack.

Grabban and Pitman have showed positive signs since being paired by boss Howe and helping Cherries to wins at Carlisle and Scunthorpe in the club’s past two matches.

Howe believes the frontmen have the qualities to work in tandem as Cherries bid to continue their charge towards the League One promotion places.

Summer signing Grabban has hit eight goals in 18 League One appearances this term – and seven since Howe’s appointment – in a promising start to life at Dean Court.

Pitman, 24, is already off the mark after returning to Cherries on loan, with a view to a permanent transfer, from Bristol City last month.

Howe, who has a wealth of attacking options, has been impressed by his most recent combination.

He told the Daily Echo: “Brett was excellent against Scunthorpe and he worked extremely hard. I think he benefited from the hard work he had been putting in on the training ground, bearing in mind he came to us from Bristol City having had very little football in the past four or five months.

“He has crammed in a lot of hard work since he joined us and I think he is looking really sharp now. We have been really pleased with him.

“I think, as a partnership, they had their best game against Scunthorpe. They linked really well together, both working off each other and dove-tailing well.

“In terms of a strike partnership, it does take time to develop. But there are signs that they could have a good understanding in time.

“You look at the respective styles of the players and see whether that could be a match. I do think they have the capability to form a good partnership.

“Grabbs is very athletic and he can run in behind and stretch defences. Brett is technically a very good footballer who will want to come into pockets of space.

“But the real strength of it is that they can do both. Brett can run in behind as well and Grabbs is also technically good enough to receive the ball in tight areas.

“I like the fact that they are both, first and foremost, very good players.”

Howe has plenty of options should he decide to tinker with his attacking resources, with Matt Tubbs, loan star Lee Barnard, Josh McQuoid, Steve Fletcher and Frank Demouge also on the club’s books.

Meanwhile, Howe reported that captain Miles Addison was set for a further three to four weeks on the sidelines with an ankle injury. The defender saw a specialist on Tuesday and can now come out of a protective boot and build up his fitness.

Marc Pugh (toe), Harry Arter (groin) and Shwan Jalal (calf) are being monitored ahead of the home clash with Colchester on Saturday.