BOSS Eddie Howe is set to make a late call on the selection of skipper Simon Francis ahead of tomorrow’s home Premier League clash against Watford (3pm).

The defender was forced off 10 minutes from time with a hamstring injury in Cherries’ 1-0 defeat at West Bromwich Albion on Saturday and was replaced by Adam Smith.

Giving an update on the injury to the 32-year-old in this morning’s press conference, Howe said: “Simon has had intensive treatment this week, so we are waiting to see with him. We will make a late decision.

“Junior Stanislas is definitely out.”

Howe also indicated that striker Jermain Defoe “is in contention to start”.

Commenting on visitors Watford, Howe, whose side have drawn all four games against the Hornets in the Premier League, added: “We have had some really good battles with Watford down the years going back to our Championship days.

“They have been very competitive with such small margins between the teams on every occasion.”

The visitors, under new manager Marco Silva, drew their league opener 3-3 with Liverpool at Vicarage Road.

Howe added: “I think against Liverpool they had a good shape off the ball.

“They looked well organised and you could see Marco has done a lot of work with them.

“They have always had a really good front line, they have creativity in the wide areas and we respect them.

“Although there has been a turnover of players and a different manager, we feel like we know them quite well.

“I think we certainly have to get our momentum, our flow and our tempo going, which perhaps was missing against West Brom. I think, if we can do that, we have a good chance.”