Rumour Mill-The Return of Marc Pugh?

If the local rumours are true, Eddie Howe could be prepared to offer 24 year old Bournemouth winger, Marc Pugh a chance to return to Turf Moor in the January window. Pugh, born locally in Bacup was on Burnley`s books as a youth player but was released in 2006 at the time that both Chris McCann and Jay Rodriguez made the step up to the professional ranks under former gaffer, Steve Cotterill. He also had two spells on loan at Kidderminster whilst at Turf Moor.

After leaving Turf Moor, he had spells at Bury, Shrewsbury Town, Luton (loan) and Hereford United before joining Bournemouth, newly promoted to League 1 in June 2010. He can play as an attacking midfielder, striker or winger and is often on the score-sheet scoring at a rate of about 1 goal every 3-4 games. He scored 13 goals last season for the Cherries and already looks well on the way to beating that with six goals so far in 15 matches.

Burnley were linked with Pugh previously after Howe`s appointment as Burnley gaffer but there did not seem to be much substance in the speculation although obviously Eddie Howe`s links with Bournemouth and his former player were bound to fuel the rumour in the media. Howe is clearly an admirer of Pugh and it remains to be seen if he can prise yet another Bournemouth player away from Dean Court following the signings of Marvin Bartley and Danny Ings. Third-string keeper, Jon Stewart was also on Bournemouth`s books during Howe`s time there.

It is reported that Howe is believed to have had Pugh watched in Bournemouth`s last two games and indeed was present himself at Dean Court on Saturday to watch the Cherries 1-1 draw with Rochdale. Development squad and reserve team coach Jason Blake was also taking stock of Pugh in the Cherries` 1-1 draw at Tranmere earlier this month.

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