MANAGER Eddie Howe confirmed dazed striker Joshua King would be fit to face former club Manchester United tomorrow (5.30pm).

The 23-year-old Norway international suffered concussion during a series of bruising tussles with Kurt Zouma during last Saturday's 1-0 victory at Premier League champions Chelsea.

Howe also reported positive news on five of his injured stars with goalkeeper Artur Boruc “okay” following his return to action at Stamford Bridge.

As reported by the Daily Echo today, Boruc plans to delay surgery on the knee complaint that saw him sidelined last month.

On Boruc, Howe said: “At the moment, he is okay. Naturally, we are having to manage him, he did so well last week and I was delighted for him. It is just a case of trying to manage his body and trying to keep him fit.”

Howe confirmed fellow stopper Adam Federici’s ankle injury was “not as bad as first feared” and that winger Marc Pugh was “back on the training ground this week”.

Christian Atsu is “back but not physically fit enough to play,” adding that the Ghanaian winger is “almost going to have to go through a second pre-season in order to get himself in a position where he can compete for a place in the team”.

On Lee Tomlin, Howe said: “I wouldn’t say he is fit enough for a place in the squad at the moment but he is injury free so it is a case of building up his fitness levels.”

Captain Tommy Elphick is “running, albeit very gingerly. I don’t expect to see Tommy before the turn of the year but who knows?”

  • For Eddie Howe's reaction to the sacking of Swansea City counterpart Garry Monk, watch the video shot and edited by Corin Messer.