Team News: Benik Afobe handed Bournemouth debut against West Ham United

Bournemouth's new signing Benik Afobe has been handed his debut after manager Eddie Howe selected the striker to start in tonight's Premier League clash against West Ham United.

Afobe, who is the club's record £12m signing from Wolverhampton Wanderers, is one of three January acquisitions made by the Cherries.

Juan Iturbe, who is on loan from Roma, and Lewis Grabban, who has returned to Bournemouth from Norwich City, have been cleared to feature in tonight's game, but will start the fixture on the bench.

Simon Francis has returned to the starting XI after serving a one-match ban in last weekend's FA Cup action, while Junior Stanislas and Matt Ritchie will provide attacking support to Afobe from the flanks.

As for West Ham, Slaven Bilic has been forced to make two changes from the team that beat Liverpool as Cheikhou Kouyate and Manuel Lanzini have been replaced by Pedro Obiang and Dimitri Payet.

Andy Carroll, who has scored in his last two league fixtures, will lead the line for the Hammers.

Bournemouth: Boruc; Francis, Cook, Smith, Daniels; Surman; Arter, Gosling, Stanislas, Ritchie; Afobe Subs: Federici, Distin, O'Kane, Pugh, Grabban, Murray, Iturbe

West Ham United: Adrian; Ogbonna, Tomkins, Collins, Cresswell; Obiang, Noble, Antonio; Payet, Valencia, Carroll Subs: Randolph, Jenkinson, Reid, Oxford, Song, Cullen, Jelavic

Follow Sports Mole's text commentary of the game here.