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Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe says that Jermain Defoe has not started in the Premier League this season as he is currently "not where he needs to be fitness-wise".

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe has admitted that Jermain Defoe did not start at the weekend because he is not as fit as the club would like.

The England forward joined the Cherries from Sunderland over the summer but has yet to start in the Premier League, coming on for the last half-hour of Saturday's 2-0 loss to Watford.

Bournemouth have lost their first two Premier League games of the campaign, without scoring a goal in either.

Asked if it had been a tough call to leave out Defoe at the weekend, Howe told reporters: "Not really. We just think he's not where he needs to be fitness-wise.

"Jermain needs some more work and he'll get an opportunity on Tuesday (against Birmingham City in the EFL Cup). I think starting a game is always a good indicator."

Defoe made 37 Premier League appearances for Sunderland last season, all as a starter, and scored 15 goals.

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