EDDIE Howe admits he is disappointed for Joey Barton following the midfielder's 18-month ban – but insists football must take the issues arising from gambling seriously.

The Football Association revealed Burnley star Barton had placed 1,260 bets worth more than £200,000 in explaining the decision to suspend the 34-year-old.

Asked by Sky Sports' Roger Clarke if football had a problem with gambling, Cherries boss Howe said: "I don't believe so. I think there are very few isolated incidents now. The rules are very clear regarding the players and we express that to them on a consistent basis.

"I'm really disappointed for Joey. The length of ban at the stage of his career is a difficult one. The authorities have done what they think is right.

"We try to instil into our players that things have changed. When I was playing it was rarely talked about from management to players but in this day and age, it's very different.

"I think it's something we need to take seriously with the money the players have, the spare time and the ability to spend that money.

"I'm not aware of any problems which we have here internally but you don't know what people do in their spare time and sometimes it's easy to hide it.

"With the amount of money which younger players have, we need to make sure they are not wasting it and that they are saving it for their futures.

"It's something we need to take very seriously, not just at this club but in the world of football."

Howe confirmed Dan Gosling would miss tomorrow's trip to Sunderland due to a calf issue but said he was hopeful the midfielder would return before the end of the season.

Andrew Surman remains sidelined.