EDDIE Howe said Cherries would “wait and see” whether they would boost their squad in January and insisted: “We have made no moves in the market at all at the moment.”

The Cherries boss has seen his squad decimated by injuries over the past two months, with Simon Francis, Lewis Cook, Dan Gosling and Adam Smith all ruled out with knee problems.

They will all be unavailable for Sunday’s Premier League contest at Manchester United (4.30pm).

Skipper Francis became the latest casualty during Boxing Day’s 5-0 defeat at Tottenham.

The 33-year-old has been ruled out for between six and nine months after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.

Asked whether his captain’s setback would impact on his thinking ahead of the upcoming transfer window, Howe replied: “I’d be lying if I said it hasn’t and I have had those conversations but we will wait and see what happens.

“Nothing has been decided we have made no moves in the market at all at the moment. I think it’s a case of still seeing what options we have available to us.

“It would be foolish of me to make that promise and pledge but we are looking at what we can do.”

Commenting further on the injury to his captain, Howe added: “It’s a huge blow for us, Simon and everyone connected with the club.

“He has been our leader on the pitch, our captain, role model and is going to be a big miss from the dressing room.

“I feel for him first and foremost. He is a great professional who has done everything right, to come up the leagues in the way he has, has been hugely impressive.

“He didn’t deserve that moment but it’s happened. He has got to react in the right way and we have to support him through that process.

“Everyone in the dressing room I am sure will be right behind him and willing him on. For the team it’s a big loss and a big gap to fill.”

With midfielder Cook also set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines having ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament earlier this month, Howe gave updates on the progress of Smith and Gosling.

“We haven’t seen them training yet,” added the Cherries boss.

“They are still working their way back and have hurdles to overcome before they are anywhere near the training pitch.

“Both are making good progress from their injuries but are not close enough to return.”

Cherries have taken four points from seven top-flight games against United. They were beaten 2-1 when the sides met at Vitality Stadium last month.