EDDIE Howe sees a future at centre-back for Tyrone Mings but says his recovery from long-term injury must be his priority.

Mings, an £8million signing from Ipswich, missed most of his first season after tearing anterior and medial ligaments in his knee on his debut in September.

Since then, Charlie Daniels has impressed at left-back with Howe recruiting Brad Smith from Liverpool.

Howe told the Daily Echo: “One of the reasons for signing Tyrone was that we saw the potential for him to play inside.

“I view him as a defender first and foremost rather than a player with a specific position. I think he can play both left-back and centre-half but, of course, he has to prove that.

“The first thing for Tyrone is getting himself fit. He is making good progress, he is joining in with us and doing light training.

“He has looked very impressive so the signs are very good for him and having him back would give us a different type of defender.

“We don’t have someone with that height and it could be a really big weapon for us so we are very keen to see him back.”