BOSS Eddie Howe admitted he had been unable to offer Matt Tubbs regular first-team football after allowing the striker to join Rotherham on loan.

The Verwood-raised frontman today ended weeks of speculation over his future by sealing a six-month switch to the League One outfit.

Tubbs, who had been heavily linked with a move to the Millers, reunites with long-time admirer Steve Evans, the Rotherham boss who managed him during a successful spell together at Crawley Town.

After becoming Cherries’ record signing for a reported £800,000 in January 2012, Tubbs saw his opportunities restricted as he fell down the pecking order following the arrivals of Lewis Grabban and Brett Pitman.

The 29-year-old scored six goals while being limited to just six starts in his 31 League One appearances during Cherries’ promotion campaign last term.

Cherries manager Howe told the Daily Echo: “I am sure Steve Evans, in particular, is a big admirer of Tubbsy for the work he did for him at Crawley and we felt with our squad, we just couldn’t guarantee Tubbsy football.

“There is certainly a desire from the player to play regularly and at this stage of his career, I think he wanted that and we couldn’t guarantee it, so I think it works for both parties. He gets football and a chance to re-establish himself and get goals.”

Howe added: “He certainly goes to Rotherham with our best wishes and I am sure he will score goals. From our perspective, we only wish Matty well.

“He has been brilliant for this football club in the time he has been here and he was a key player for us last season.”

Howe, who is likely to step up his search for striking reinforcements over the coming days, has a squad which includes attacking players Pitman, Grabban, Wes Thomas, Mohamed Coulibaly, Jayden Stockley and injury victim Josh McQuoid.

Meanwhile, Rotherham boss Evans claimed the Millers had agreed to get first option on buying Tubbs, who has two years remaining on his Cherries contract, at the end of his loan spell in January.

He told the Millers’ official website: “I must acknowledge the support of AFC Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe and his chairman Eddie Mitchell for the endorsement they gave our football club.

“We have also secured the option to take his initial six months with the Millers to a much longer period but that is for another day.”

Tubbs added: “In recent weeks, I have had several opportunities to join other top League One clubs but I have kept my word to the gaffer in that if I moved clubs, my first choice was Rotherham United. With immediate effect, my partner and I will be moving up to the area.”