Eddie Howe on his decision not to start Nick Woltemade against Barcelona, Jacob Murphy’s fitness and Fabian Schar’s injury | OneFootball

Eddie Howe says his decision not to start striker Nick Woltemade against Barcelona was a difficult one – but stressed it is important to look after his new signing.

Woltemade made his debut for the club against Wolves on Saturday and scored, but was left on the bench for the 2-1 Champions League defeat to Barcelona, with Anthony Gordon instead starting up top.

But Howe says he is wary of not demanding too much too quickly from the Germany international, who came on as a second-half substitute.

“I have to make decisions for the benefit of the players sometimes,” Howe said.

“It was a really difficult one for Nick. Of course any player would want to start every game but I’ve got to try and manage him into the team and try and make sure he stays fit and I think that was always at the heart of this decision.

“Of course knowing that we’d have Anthony suspended as well for the next game.”

Howe also says Jacob Murphy, who was too introduced from the bench in the second half, is nursing an injury concern at the moment.

“It’s the same for Jacob,” he said. “He’s nursing an Achilles problem and we just want to keep the majority of the squad fit and available for as many games as possible.”

Fabian Schar, meanwhile, was forced off after taking a ball to the face but Howe is unsure of whether it will sideline him for the weekend’s game against Bournemouth.

“I’ve got no information for you there,” he said. “I’m in the hands of the doctors really in that moment.

“The only message I got was that he was okay to continue and I don’t really know any more other than that.”

On the defeat, Howe added: “I think there was a lot of effort, a lot of commitment, a lot of heart from the players. I thought it was a good performance without being a great one and to beat Barcelona I think it needs to be a great one.”