EDDIE Howe admits he will be on tenterhooks during the international break and has questioned the timing of it, coming during the Premier League run-in.

Cherries boss Howe says he is delighted a number of his players will get the opportunity to showcase their talents for their respective countries in the next few days.

But he has also expressed concerns regarding their fitness and well-being ahead of Cherries’ final seven games of their maiden campaign in the top flight.

Joshua King and Harry Arter – who both started Cherries’ 3-0 defeat at Tottenham on Sunday – are already major doubts for the visit of Manchester City a week on Saturday.

King did not report for duty with Norway after hurting his calf against Spurs, while Arter was forced to withdraw from the Republic of Ireland squad due to an Achilles problem.

Howe will also have a close eye on Max Gradel, who was called up by Ivory Coast for Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers having only just returned following a six-month injury absence.

And with no fewer than eight other players away – seven of whom are in his Premier League squad – Howe says he can ill afford any further setbacks.

Howe, speaking to the Daily Echo from the Cherries training camp in Dubai, said: “I am so pleased for all the players.

“Being called up by their respective countries shows they are in good form and performing well for us. All their experiences will hopefully be positive.

“The only wish we have is that they come back with full fitness. As a manager, you don’t want to lose your players for a second, let alone a couple of weeks.

“You worry if they are going to come back as fit as they left, that they will be tired and will have had a long journey in the lead-up to the next game.

“In the main, with the experiences the players get training with international players and seeing a totally different side to the game, I think it can only be good for their overall development.

“But there are two sides to it and, from the club’s perspective, it is not ideal. There are potentially lots of new problems for us. But the date has been in the calendar for a long period of time so everyone knew about it and there is not a lot we can do.”

Goalkeeper Artur Boruc was last night hoping to become the first Cherries player to taste some international action having been named in the Poland squad for a friendly against Serbia.

Shaun MacDonald (Wales), Adam Federici (Australia) and Juan Iturbe (Paraguay) could all feature for their respective countries today, while Gradel could be in contention for Ivory Coast’s double-header against Sudan tomorrow and on Monday.

Eunan O’Kane will be hoping to be involved in Republic of Ireland’s friendlies against Switzerland and Slovakia, while Matt Ritchie should start Scotland’s friendly against Denmark on Tuesday.

Tokelo Rantie, who was omitted from Cherries’ Premier League squad when it was redeclared in February, is on duty with South Africa.