EDDIE Howe plans to monitor Jermain Defoe in training this week after naming the striker among his substitutes for Cherries’ 1-0 defeat at West Brom.

Defoe came off the bench to replace Benik Afobe midway through the second half at the Hawthorns but, in common with his team-mates, was starved of chances.

The 34-year-old saw his pre-season interrupted by a groin injury and was restricted to 98 minutes of playing time across friendlies against Portsmouth and Valencia.

Asked whether new signing Defoe had been close to a start, Howe replied: “Not really, not from a physical level.

“He didn’t have enough football during pre-season. He missed the first week and then picked up a groin injury so he hasn’t trained fully for two weeks.

“I thought it was the right decision to put him on the bench.”

Asked about his team selection against the Baggies, Howe said: “We picked what we felt was the best team for the game, as we always do.

“Next week might be slightly different.

“We are looking at the fittest team as well because there are certain players who have missed elements of pre-season who we didn’t feel were quite ready.”