EDDIE Howe revealed he did not hesitate to give Charlie Daniels the captain’s armband for Cherries’ 2-2 draw with Newcastle.

Daniels led the Dorset club out for the first time in the Premier League on Saturday at Vitality Stadium with Simon Francis, Steve Cook, Andrew Surman and Dan Gosling injured.

It looked like the former Leyton Orient left-back would guide his team to victory after Joshua King’s second-half brace, however the Magpies snatched a draw through Matt Ritchie’s rasping half-volley deep into stoppage time.

Asked about his decision to make Daniels captain, Howe told the Daily Echo: “I had no hesitation. He is one of the most professional and reliable players we have.

“He has been with me now for a long time. He knows what I want and what I expect. I thought he led the team really well.”

The 32-year-old became the fifth member of Howe’s squad to start with the armband in an injury-ravaged season for Cherries.

Howe added: “Although we had a lot of our captains pick up injuries this year, which has been quite bizarre, it is a great experience for all those guys who have picked up the armband for the first time and it will do them the world of good.”