Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe has played down suggestions that his team have a slight upper hand given that they will not be facing Sergio Aguero when they play Manchester City on Saturday.

The injured Argentina international will not be among Manuel Pellegrini's side when they welcome the Premier League newcomers to the Etihad Stadium at the weekend.

Aguero, who has been in and out of the team this season due to injuries, is nursing a hamstring problem, which could keep the 27-year-old out of action for a month.

Despite not having to face a major goal threat in Aguero, who scored five in City's 6-1 romp over Newcastle United a fortnight ago, Howe has told Sports Mole that his team will not get carried away.

"I've not had any conversations with the players about any individuals that [City] may or may not have injured," said Howe. "For me, it's irrelevant because you take Aguero out and you put another world-class player in, so it doesn't really change anything in terms of our preparation. If it gives the players a bit more confidence then so be it, but from my perspective, we've prepared the same.

"We're not necessarily preparing for individuals, we're preparing for playing styles and systems and ways of playing rather than the individuals. It's difficult for us to predict [the City team] with the games that they've got coming up.

"They might look at this [game] to rest one or two or play a different side, so we're focused on our position, focused on ourselves and making sure that we get what we do right."

The Cherries are currently 15th in the league table, four points above the relegation zone after eight games.