Eddie Howe: Bournemouth face a fight to keep key men

Howe lead Bournemouth to an impressive 18 victories in their first season in the Championship

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe has said the Championship side have rejected offers for more of their star players.

Top scorer Lewis Grabban, 26, joined newly-relegated Norwich City earlier this month, having scored 22 goals in 46 matches last season.

"Keeping the squad together may be our hardest challenge, given how well they performed," Howe told BBC Radio Solent.

"Some of the ages of the players are very attractive to both Premier League and Championship clubs."

The Cherries, who were promoted in 2012 after finishing a point behind League One winners Doncaster Rovers, finished in 10th place last season.

After winning six of their last 10 matches and remaining unbeaten in eight of those, to leave them just six points off the play-offs, Howe said he expected his side to surpass those achievements next season.

"We're still very ambitious and we want to exceed what we did last year," he added.