With Paul Dummett and Matt Ritchie out of contract this summer, it was widely accepted that the pair would leave the club as free agents next month. However, it seems Eddie Howe has other ideas.

Speaking after yesterday's 4-2 win over Brentford, the boss hinted that qualification for Europe could see them land surprise extensions, with us needing Man City to beat Man Utd in Saturday's FA Cup final to ensure we get Europa League Conference football after finishing seventh.

Howe said: "There's a slight doubt over their futures, but we go to Australia with them. I think European qualification might potentially have a bearing on what happens with their futures.

"What I will say about Paul Dummett and Matt Ritchie is that they've just been incredible servants to the football club. I absolutely love their characters and what they've given."

It's clear the pair are superb characters and key members behind the scenes, but they've played just 130 minutes of Premier League football between them over the 2023/24 season amidst one of the worst injury crisis' we've seen.

With the club having big ambitions heading into a huge summer and needing to improve several areas of the squad, can we afford to carry both in our 25-man squad next season? I'd suggest no, but it sounds like they might be staying if we qualify for Europe.