BOSS Eddie Howe believes the recent performances of Sylvain Distin and Baily Cargill have been a triumph for quality over quantity in Cherries’ central defensive areas.

Distin starred at the back during Cherries’ 2-0 win over Sunderland in the Premier League on Saturday, while Cargill turned in another accomplished display in the League Cup success at Preston on Tuesday.

Cherries’ resources were weakened after skipper Tommy Elphick had sustained an ankle injury in the lead up to the Sunderland game, with Howe opting against risking Distin at Deepdale ahead of the trip to Stoke.

Instead, Steve Cook was asked to partner Cargill, the pair coming through an energy-sapping 90 minutes and extra-time despite Cargill requiring a lengthy spell of treatment after taking a knock.

Howe, who allowed Elliott Ward to join Huddersfield after leaving him out of Cherries’ 25-man squad for the first half of the Premier League season, told the Daily Echo: “We have four central defenders and I would imagine most teams have the same number. One of ours is injured so we are down to three.

“When we looked at the squad at the start of the season, we had two players – Simon Francis and Tyrone Mings – who could fill in as centre-halves and add competition for places.

“We have since lost Tyrone so that leaves Simon. He has played there a lot during his career, especially during his younger days, so I would have no qualms about putting him inside and giving an opportunity to Adam Smith at right-back.”

Cargill had his work cut out dealing with Preston’s Manchester United loan striker Will Keane but stuck to his task as Cherries prevailed following a penalty shootout victory.

The 20-year-old, who has yet to taste the Premier League, has been an ever present in the League Cup over the past two seasons and also started at Rotherham in the FA Cup in January.

Rewarded with a fresh three-year contract in July, his fourth new deal in two years, England under-20 international Cargill made the bench during Cherries’ Championship-winning campaign but is still waiting for his league debut for the club.

Howe added: “We don’t have an abundance of options in central defence but we do have some. We’ve still got a lot of quality and Sylvain showed that on Saturday and Baily showed it again at Preston.

“When we put our squad together at the start of the season, we made a conscious decision that we wanted to keep Baily and to give him the opportunity if it arose or if he deserved to play.

“He did very well against Preston and it would have been more really valuable experience for him. He will be used in league games when needed.”