Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe warns Benik Afobe over considering England snub

By Danielle Joynson, Staff Reporter | 19 February 2016

Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe warns Benik Afobe that he may regret it if he opts to snub England and represent Democratic Republic of Congo.

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe has warned Benik Afobe not to be hasty in making a decision over a potential England future.

The striker, who joined the Cherries from Wolverhampton Wanderers in January, recently claimed that he is considering representing Democratic Republic of Congo as opposed to the Three Lions.

Afobe is eligible to play for the African nation because of his parents, but Howe is concerned that the forward could make a decision that he will regret.

"I wouldn't want him to make a decision now which he could potentially regret in a year's time or so," Howe told reporters in Friday's press conference. "I think it's early days for him at Premier League level and a lot is going to change after the next tournament. You just don't know how many strikers England are going to have to pick from in the future.

"So, if I was him, and I will be speaking to him, I will say 'give yourself the very best opportunity of playing for England'. We'll wait and see. I don't know his thoughts and feelings about it, I haven't spoken to him."

Afobe has represented England's youth teams over the course of 11 years and has captained the Under-21s.