EDDIE Howe confirmed Tyrone Mings would be pencilled in for a playing return in the not too distant future – but not as early as next week.

Defender Mings recently returned to full training with Howe’s squad having recovered from a long-term knee injury.

But Howe said he would not be considered for Monday’s Premier League Cup tie at Burnley or Wednesday’s League Cup clash at Morecambe.

“He is not quite there yet,” said Howe. “He joined in fully with us for the first time last week and it was full contact.

“He had been passive in training sessions before that but now he is going for it the same as everybody else.

“He has done really well and he has come through the knocks and things you get in your first training sessions with no problems.

“He will be looking to play a game soon but those games will be slightly too early for him.”