Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe admits his team must get a move on or they will leave themselves ‘a mountain to climb’ in their bid for Premier League survival this season.

Having finished ninth last season, it has been a slow start to the new term for Bournemouth with just one win from their opening six games.

That win game via a second-half turnaround in their previous home game against Brighton, Andrew Surman and Jermain Defoe getting the goals in a 2-1 win.

They host Leicester City on Saturday at the Vitality Stadium and Howe is aware they cannot leave themselves with too much work to do.

“It is early stages but we don’t want to leave ourselves with a mountain to climb. We are where we deserve to be and we have to respond,” he said.

“I am not sure it gets easier in the Premier League because it is so demanding in many ways.

“We think we have a good squad and I have no doubt in the players, but the strength of the league is extremely high this year.”

Howe is preparing to face Leicester striker Jamie Vardy this weekend despite his omission from Gareth Southgate’s England squad during the week.

“Vardy is a good player. He has got pace and is a real handful,” he added.

“We are preparing as if he’s going to play.” Howe also revealed that he will be without Tyrone Mings, Callum Wilson and Harry Arter for the game with Leicester.

Bournemouth are 2.75 to win the game, with Leicester slight favourites at 2.63 and the draw 3.30.