EDDIE Howe is keen to boost his numbers ahead of the transfer deadline but insists he would be more than happy with his current squad if his search were to prove unsuccessful.

Cherries boss Howe bolstered his resources with the addition of no fewer than eight new signings ahead of the club’s first season in the Premier League.

And Howe, who has been linked with a host of other players, has until the closing of the summer transfer window on Tuesday to bring in further recruits.

His desire to strengthen is heightened by the fact Premier League clubs are not permitted to draft in emergency loan signings once the deadline has passed.

Howe said: “We are very happy with the squad we have. I feel we have good strength in depth and I think that was shown by the game against Hartlepool where we made 11 changes and were still very strong.

“This is a new experience for us. Once the window has shut, we are not going to be able to take in any loan players and it is going to be different for us.

“I have always maintained I would like a couple more players in case of injuries and suspensions. We need to make sure we are fully stocked and able to compete.

“We will wait and see. There are no guarantees on any deals. We may end up with nobody and, if that is the case, we are quite prepared to go forward with the squad we have.”

Reports earlier today suggested Cherries were set to unveil Napoli's Jonathan de Guzman as a new signing in the next 24 hours. However, while the Dutch international is believed to be a target, the Daily Echo understands the player is yet to decide his preferred club with Sunderland and Everton also keen.

Asked yesterday whether de Guzman was a player he liked, Howe replied: “I’m sorry to be very dull! I would love to give you something but it is not right that we get involved in talking about targets so I would rather talk about the players we do have here.”

Put to him that it was “a tribute” to him and the set-up at Dean Court that a player like de Guzman could be entertaining signing, Howe replied: “We are not going to sign players and boast about the size of our stadium and our history because, looking at those things, that is not going to attract them.

“But what we can do with our style of play and our way of working is give players a platform to either resurrect careers or to give them a window to impress, an opportunity to play.

“These are all things that we can offer players and I think that is very much what we did throughout the summer with our recruitment.

“With the players we brought in, we had to angle things differently so I think it is a credit to everyone connected with AFC Bournemouth that we are in this position and are looking to improve the squad with some very good players.”