EDDIE Howe said defender Lloyd Kelly “did well” on his first Premier League start – despite Cherries suffering a 4-1 defeat to Newcastle.
The England under-21 international, signed for £13million from Bristol City last summer, came in at left-back against the Magpies at Vitality Stadium.
Kelly’s inclusion meant Jack Stacey dropped to the bench and Adam Smith shifted to the right of the back four.
Assessing the Bristol-born star’s display, Howe said: “I thought Lloyd did well. I thought he used the ball well, defended well, athletically he was good.
“He hasn’t had a lot of football, as with a lot of our players and I think that’s a contributing factor – they are on the pitch but probably not absolutely where they need to be.
“I think there’s a number of players in the same position.
“But Lloyd can be very pleased and he’s got a very bright future ahead of him.”
Kelly could be involved when Cherries make the trip to take on Manchester United in the Premier League on Saturday (3pm).
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