BOSS Eddie Howe plans to rest a number of his Cherries stars in order to safely negotiate a busy period in the Championship season.

Regular starter Matt Ritchie began on the bench in the 0-0 draw against Blackburn on Saturday with Howe keen to give other players a break, although he hinted that wholesale changes were unlikely.

Cherries host promotion-chasing Wolves tonight (7.45pm) and travel to Fulham on Friday, with fixtures against Blackpool, Cardiff and Middlesbrough still to come this month.

Howe told the Daily Echo: “There’s no doubt that players can play 55 games a season but if they play that number then I guarantee they are not going to be at their best in some of them and that’s purely down to the amount of games that they’ve had.

“We have a really busy spell of games and it’s about keeping the players as fresh as they can be at this stage of the season.

“I’m going to look to rest as many people as I can, although not at the same time, to make sure players are able to give their best when called upon.

“I am not saying I am going to make wholesale changes. What I am saying is that we’ll talk to the individuals involved and see who needs a rest.

"The injuries we’ve had have come at a difficult time for us because it has restricted our selections and restricted our ability to rest players.

“Hopefully, when we get everyone fit we’ll have a lot more options and will be able to rest one or two more.”

Previewing Cherries’ Championship fixture with Wolves, Howe added: “Kenny Jackett has done a magnificent job since going back there, getting promotion and leading the team up the Championship table.

“Wolves are a huge club and will no doubt come with good travelling support. We like to think we lift ourselves for the evening games and it should be a good occasion.

“You can see from the past few games that we’ve had that no one gives you anything, no one rolls over and accepts defeat in this league, and that’s what makes it the league it is.

“Wolves will come here and will be up for it. We’ll certainly be up for it as well and I do think it will be two very good football sides going head-to-head.”