Sky Sports' football pundit Jamie Redknapp believes that Premier League new boys Bournemouth can avoid relegation this season.

Redknapp was speaking following the Cherries' 2-0 defeat against Southampton, and he believes that the club's prospects have been hit hard by a spate of injuries.

"I don't want to make excuses but they've been decimated by injuries," Redknapp, who was joined by injured Bournemouth captain Tommy Elphick in the studio, said.

"We've got the captain sat next to us here. When Callum Wilson gets injured, then Max Gradel would probably be the person you're bringing in and he's done his cruciate ligament.

"It's extremely difficult, but what I like about Eddie Howe is he never makes excuses and just gets on with it.

"Now I look at the league table and I think to myself there's no reason Bournemouth can't stay up. They've got good quality in their team and they've got a way of playing.

"I looked at Sunderland [losing 6-2 to Everton] today and they're not going to win that many games. Aston Villa have got major problems, as have Newcastle. I think Chelsea have got enough to stay up - and that's a joke, by the way.

"If you look at the other teams around them, even Swansea are starting to get dragged in at the moment.

"I think Bournemouth have got to keep believing. I don't think anybody expects them to stay up now because of their injuries.

"There's no reason why they can't stay up. They showed today that in the way they play they have a real belief and a manager who is top class.

"They won't panic at all."