EDDIE Howe hinted "massive goal threat" Jermain Defoe could be the man to give Cherries their edge back after the team's 'uncharacteristic' attacking performance against West Brom.

Marquee summer signing Defoe replaced Benik Afobe for the final 26 minutes of the 1-0 Premier League defeat to the Baggies, getting his first match minutes since sustaining a groin problem during the friendly defeat to Valencia at the end of last month.

And with Watford the visitors to Vitality Stadium tomorrow (3pm), Howe admitted the former Tottenham and West Ham star was in contention for his first top-flight start in a Cherries shirt.

Howe said: "Even when we didn't play well last year, we created a number of chances in most games, so West Brom was an uncharacteristic, dormant display from us in an attacking sense.

"Of course, then Jermain comes into your thinking, as do other players.

"I think I made clear the reasons why he didn't start. He picked up an injury and had not trained for two weeks in the build up to the game.

"Also, when you take into account he came in a week late from international duty to train with us, that meant his training time was a lot briefer than other players.

"We need to make sure Jermain is able to do himself justice and to play at 100 per cent. He needs to have that training time behind him before we put him in the starting XI."

Howe played alongside Defoe during the frontman's first spell in Dorset, a fruitful loan stint during the 2000-01 season.

Then a West Ham player, Defoe famously scored in 10 games in a row for Cherries in the old Division Two as he served notice of his considerable potential.

Asked how Defoe had changed since his early steps in the professional game, Howe said: "As a person, he is a lot wiser. He has had some unbelievable experiences in football and as you get older, you have experiences in your personal life which shape you as a person.

"I can't speak highly enough of him as a guy and how he has integrated himself into the squad from the first day. That's a huge compliment to him.

"In terms of his game, I don't think too much has changed. He's a massive goal threat and his finishing is still at the very highest level.

"His movement is very good, which is one of the things I've always loved about him, so I haven't seen too many changes."

Meanwhile, Howe revealed winger Junior Stanislas would step up his bid to return to full fitness next week.

Stanislas is on the mend from groin and hip problems and prior to the West Brom loss, Howe admitted the 27-year-old could be up to a month away from action.

Providing an update, Howe said: "Junior is back in the country now. He has been in LA getting treatment with a specialist.

"He is running in a swimming pool which without going too technical, is something we do before we expose them to the grass.

"We expect him to be running on the training ground next week, not joining in with the team, so however long it takes him to get fit after that."

Howe confirmed a late decision would be made on skipper Simon Francis, who has received intensive treatment on the hamstring injury which forced him off against West Brom.