BOSS Eddie Howe revealed Asmir Begovic had been playing through the pain barrier in a bid to help keep Cherries in the Premier League.

Goalkeeper Begovic has started all 31 of Cherries' games in the top flight since his £10million move from Chelsea in the summer.

However, Howe was concerned the 30-year-old could have been set for an extended spell on the sidelines after he suffered a knee injury in training earlier this season.

But the extent of the damage was not as serious as had first been feared, allowing Begovic to keep his place between the sticks.

Begovic, who has kept five clean sheets in the Premier League, is expected to be given a restricted training schedule during Cherries' warm-weather camp in Dubai.

He joined Howe's squad in the United Arab Emirates instead of linking up with Bosnia and Herzegovina for friendlies against Bulgaria and Senegal during the international break.

Capped 61 times by his country, Begovic appeared in all 10 of their World Cup qualifiers as they finished third in Group H behind Belgium and Greece.

Howe told the Daily Echo: "Asmir has been carrying a long-standing problem with his knee and has been playing through it.

"When he first did it, we thought it was maybe a serious problem but, thankfully, he had a period where he had a bit of rest and was then able to keep playing.

"I don’t think he has been 100 per cent fit in games and his will has got him through.

"Coming away with us will be a good chance for him to get some rest.

"It has been very important to try to keep him fit because he is a big player for us.

"He is in his first season here and wants to stay in the team and keep playing.

"He has been prepared to put his body through a bit of pain to get there but this rest will do him the world of good."

Midfielder Harry Arter withdrew from the Republic of Ireland squad due to a calf injury, while striker Joshua King pulled out of Norway's friendlies against Australia and Albania for personal reasons.

However, winger Ryan Fraser has joined up with the Scotland squad for games against Costa Rica and Hungary despite having only recently recovered from a nagging back complaint.

Capped twice by his country, Fraser has been an unused substitute in Cherries' past three games having come off during the second half of the 2-2 draw with Newcastle last month.

Howe said: "Ryan goes with Scotland but he goes with a word of caution because he has had a back problem.

"I have had a chat with him and said I reluctantly wanted to keep him involved but wouldn't use him if I didn't have to.

"He has been getting through training and, at this stage of the season, we can't afford to rest him for a long period of time and need him available. But he hasn’t been 100 per cent fit."