Bournemouth goalkeeper Asmir Begovic has pulled out of international duty with Bosnia-Herzegovina on the advice of club boss Eddie Howe.

The 30-year-old has been struggling with a long-standing knee problem and will now use the two-week break to recover from the injury.

Begovic, who has featured in every Premier League game for Bournemouth since arriving last summer, is to miss Bosnia's games against Bulgaria and Senegal.

"Asmir has been ruled out with a long-standing problem he's had with his knee," Howe told reporters after the 2-1 win over West Bromwich Albion at the weekend. "He's been playing through so he's going to stay here and get some rest.

"It's been very important to try and keep him fit, I think he's a big player for us. He wants to stay in the team and he wants to keep playing so he's prepared to put his body through a little bit of pain to get there for us. But this rest, I think, will do him the world of good.

"He injured his knee in training. We thought it was, at the time when he did it, maybe a serious problem but thankfully he's had a period where he's had a little bit of rest and then he's played through it. I don't think he's been 100% fit in the games but his will has got him through."

Begovic has conceded 42 league goals this season and kept a total of six clean sheets.