BOSS Eddie Howe admits he is concerned by the possibility of losing Jefferson Lerma to suspension – but insists he will not try to curb the midfielder’s “natural aggression”.

The Colombian international, who scored his first goal for Cherries in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Newcastle United, has been booked four times in nine Premier League games this season, meaning he is walking a disciplinary tightrope.

Lerma must avoid picking up a further caution before Cherries have completed 19 Premier League fixtures, or he will face a one-match ban.

The 24-year-old was booked 18 times in 28 appearances for La Liga side Levante last season before joining Cherries for a club-record fee of £25million.

Lerma has impressed in the Premier League and Howe wants the El Cerrito-born ace to carry on in a combative vein.

Asked if Lerma’s bookings concerned him, the boss told the Daily Echo: “It’s a concern because, potentially, we may lose him to suspension so that’s not something we would want.

“But when you are that kind of player, I don’t know if you can take that natural aggression away when that is part of their strength.

“I think he’s been unlucky with a couple of bookings and probably a couple have been warranted.

“But I’d much rather he played his normal game than tried to become something he’s not.

“I haven’t had too many conversations with him regarding that because I think it would be counterproductive.

“A player going into a game trying not to get booked is a player going away from his natural instincts and we want Jeff’s natural instincts to be there in the game.”

Having netted his maiden Cherries goal, Lerma came off at half-time at Newcastle due to a tight hamstring.

Howe said the former Atletico Huila star had impressed with his attitude both in training and in games.

“He has been equally as good on the pitch as off it,” said Howe.

“I think he’s integrating better in the squad every day through knowledge of his team-mates and his team-mates’ knowledge of him.

“He has gone about his work on the training ground very professionally and very diligently. He has trained like he plays, which is a huge compliment because he is a whole-hearted player on the pitch.

“On matchdays, he gives 100 per cent. He goes into every tackle and every header as if his life depends on it and that’s the same in training and that’s the quality of character which I love.

“I think you can make a really positive impact on a player’s career when they treat training seriously.

“His performances on the pitch have consistently got better so they are great signs for him.”

Asked about Lerma’s grasp of the English language, Howe added: “It’s improving, slowly. We have had interpreters in to help him fully understand everything.

“Players can understand bits but you want the whole message to get through.

“The key thing on the pitch now is that he is communicating better with his team-mates and that will naturally improve through time.”