EDDIE Howe insisted he was aware of the “physicality” posed by Crystal Palace as Cherries look to end their campaign with back-to-back wins.

Howe’s men, who beat Tottenham 1-0 at Vitality Stadium in their final home game, would leapfrog the Eagles with a victory at Selhurst Park on Sunday (3pm).

But Roy Hodgson’s side go into the contest having won 3-2 at Cardff, thanks to goals from Wilfried Zaha, Michy Batshuayi and Andros Townsend.

Howe told the Daily Echo: “I think whenever you play against Crystal Palace you’re aware of their physicality, their pace in the team - especially in the wide areas - they’ve got very athletic players.

“They played with a 4-4-2 in their last game, so they’ve got two good strikers as well.

“Pace is a definite theme in their team and height they also have in certain situations, they’re going to be a threat.”

Howe confirmed David Brooks would miss the contest after he continued to nurse an ankle problem.

Palace could be without central defender Scott Dann, who picked up a slight strain in training.

Mamadou Sakho, Jeffrey Schlupp and James Tomkins are confirmed to miss out for the Eagles.