Eddie Howe has said that the goals Jermain Defoe can score makes him a "special" player ahead of Bournemouth's match against Sunderland in the Premier League this weekend.

The striker had a loan spell with the Cherries when the side's current manager was still playing for the club during the 2000-01 season.

Howe said at his pre-match press conference: "I remember one of his first training sessions where everything he hit found the bottom corner. The different type of goals he scored made him special.

"Sunderland were strong last week, very unlucky to lose their last game against Tottenham. We're under no illusions, these are big games for us."

Sunderland are still looking for their first win of the season, while Bournemouth sit 16th in the table with four points from their opening five fixtures.