CHERRIES manager Eddie Howe has all but ruled out a loan move for highly-rated central defender Jack Simpson.

The 21-year-old, a product of the club’s youth ranks, had been heavily linked with joining Scottish Premiership outfit Rangers on a season-long deal.

But having trimmed his squad ahead of the new Premier League season, Howe seems certain to keep Simpson at Vitality Stadium as cover.

Although it was initially thought a move to Ibrox for Simpson would depend on Nathan Ake’s fitness, Howe said the Dutchman had recovered from a toe injury and indicated the youngster would be going nowhere.

Asked by the Daily Echo whether Simpson would be allowed to leave, Howe replied: “Let’s wait and see on that. I would doubt it.

“We have a streamlined squad, we don’t have big numbers and don’t have great strength in depth beyond the 20 players that I have available at the moment so I would be reluctant to lose anybody else.”

Simpson signed a new two-and-a-half year contract in January and has featured four times for the first team, including once in the Premier League during Cherries’ 4-0 defeat at Manchester City in December.