Cherries: Howe believes JPT selection rules are costing young players a chance (From Bournemouth Echo)

Cherries: Howe believes JPT selection rules are costing young players a chance

7:00am Tuesday 31st August 2010 in

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Cherries boss Eddie Howe believes rigid selection rules in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy are potentially hindering the progress of young players.

Howe wants to see an end to the Football League insisting on clubs fielding at least six players that have started the majority of their matches during the season.

The player quota regulation was implemented four years ago in an attempt to stop clubs sending out weakened teams and has been the subject of much conjecture.

Numerous clubs have failed to comply, while Cherries received a £1,500 fine – suspended for 12 months – after falling foul of the rule in the second round at Northampton last season.

Howe will be hoping Cherries, inaugural winners of the competition in 1984, can progress when they host League Two leaders Torquay in the first round at Dean Court tonight (7.45pm).

A Wembley finalist with Cherries in 1998, Howe told the Daily Echo: “I like the competition and the latter stages are the carrot that makes it so exciting. You want to get through the early rounds because reaching the final is fantastic.

“We will be taking it seriously, like we did last season, when we approached it in the right way but, unfortunately, got beaten by a late goal at Northampton.

“We may make changes but we will be going all out to win it. Now we have a stronger squad, we want to use it and may rest one or two of the injured lads.

“I think the six-player rule is a shame because this is an ideal competition to blood new talent without having three points at stake.

“People keep talking about a lack of young players coming through in English football and saying there are not enough in the national team.

“I don’t think any team wants to go out and get beaten, we certainly don’t. But I think it should be a club’s right to pick the team they want to play.

“We’ve got a good squad and I would like to be able to use all the players who are fighting for a place and give them an opportunity to stake a claim. But, unfortunately, we are dictated by the rules.”

Mitchell Nelson, Harry Arter, Jayden Stockley and Danny Ings are all in contention to feature against Torquay, who arrive in Dorset boasting the only 100 per cent winning start to the season in the Football League.

Howe added: “We had two really good games against them last season. We won both but they were tight games.

“I thought they were a good side then and they have obviously improved.

“Paul Buckle has done a fantastic job with what would appear to be limited resources. They have made a great start to the season so we know it is going to be another difficult game.”

The JPT prize fund is: £5,000 (first round), £7,000 (second round), £10,000 (area quarter-final), £17,000 (area semi-final), £25,500 (area final), £40,000 (winners).