Steve Cook faces fitness test for Bournemouth's game against Tottenham

Bournemouth's Steve Cook faces a late fitness test to be ready for Thursday's Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur while fellow centre back Chris Mepham has a knee problem that may require surgery, manager Eddie Howe said on Wednesday.

Cook missed relegation-threatened Bournemouth's 5-2 defeat by Manchester United on Saturday with a hamstring strain while Mepham was left out of the squad due to his injury.

"Steve Cook's improved. Whether he's fit enough to play I don't know at this moment," Howe told a news conference.

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"Chris Mepham has had an injection in his knee, we're doing everything we can to try and avoid him having an operation."

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Defeat at Old Trafford in their last match left Howe's side in 19th place with 27 points from 33 games. They are four points off the safety zone.

"I see a lot of hurt in the dressing room, a lot of players who really do care. We've got great professionals, I've always maintained that. The players are determined to turn it around," Howe added.

"It's a difficult moment for us, there's no denying that. It's been difficult to take the results personally. Nothing has affected my motivation to turn it around."

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