Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe has defended Tyrone Mings after his five-match suspension.

Defender Mings was suspended by the Football Association for standing on the head of Zlatan Ibrahimovic during Saturday's 1-1 draw at Manchester United.

Ibrahimovic received a three-match ban for his subsequent elbow on Mings, but the Cherries man was given a longer suspension following an independent regulatory commission hearing.

"We are disappointed for Tyrone, we feel it was accidental," Howe said at his press conference ahead of Saturday's home meeting with West Ham.

"I don't think he has that kind of streak in him. Although he is a beast in stature he is certainly a gentle giant on and off the pitch. It's a real shame for him.

"I see a defender who has made a very good tackle trying to get back to his goal as quickly as possible. His focus is on the ball, not on what lies beneath him.

"You can make any interpretation you want, you can see what you want to see, but I think people who understand the game to a really high level - especially being a defender myself - will know that your only priority is to defend your goal."