CONCERNED Eddie Howe has revealed fears Cherries winger Junior Stanislas could miss the start of the Premier League campaign.

The former Burnley and West Ham ace underwent groin surgery at the end of last season but has since been troubled by groin and hip pain.

And Howe admits the 27-year-old, who missed out on Cherries' matchday squads for pre-season clashes with Estoril and Portsmouth, is a doubt for the top-flight opener against West Brom on Saturday, August 12.

However, the Vitality Stadium boss had more positive news on Adam Smith and Brad Smith, while American midfielder Emerson Hyndman has trained as he continues to build his fitness following a stress fracture to his foot.

Howe told the Daily Echo: “Adam felt his quad early in pre-season training so he has gone to see various people. We expect to have him back soon and we hope he will be fit for the start of the season.

“Brad is still feeling his way back from the hamstring injury he suffered with Australia during the summer. Again, we hope to have him playing very soon.

“Emerson's is a difficult injury because you have to manage his loads. He has trained with us but isn’t ready to play yet.

“Junior is a slightly bigger concern. He had an operation on his groin in the summer and although it may have fixed a particular problem he had, he has now developed more groin and hip pain.

“We are referring him to another specialist, so he is probably the one who is a doubt.

“I don’t know on a timescale, it’s very difficult to say. I don’t think it will be long term but whether he makes the first game of the season, we will have to wait and see."

Meanwhile, Howe declared himself pleased with the manner in which his four summer signings had settled in to life in Dorset.

Jermain Defoe, Asmir Begovic, Nathan Ake and Connor Mahoney have all got match minutes under their belts in pre-season.

And Howe feels the quartet – three of which have previously spent time on loan at the club – are blending in well on a day-to-day basis.

He said: “I think the beauty of our recruitment this summer is that all the players have played for us before, bar Connor, so they have an understanding of the football club and how it works.

“They are all intelligent players. Asmir and Jermain are vastly experienced and Nathan was here last season, so I think it will be easier for them to adjust to coming here and playing with the experiences they have had, so we are excited by them.

“In addition, Connor has fitted in really well and it has been really good to see him perform so well in training."

Cherries' players will get the chance to further their case for Premier League selection during clashes against QPR and Valencia this weekend.