CHARLIE Austin revealed the prospect of finally joining Cherries had been spoken about earlier this season – seven years after Eddie Howe had first tried to sign him.

Speculation had been rife that the former Poole Town frontman would reunite with Howe at Vitality Stadium following Cherries’ promotion to the Premier League.

Bournemouth Echo:

Howe had two attempts to sign Austin blocked due to the club’s Football League transfer embargo in 2009, the player having spent six weeks training with Cherries.

Bournemouth Echo:

He subsequently joined Swindon before Howe finally got his man when he made Austin his first signing just days after leaving Cherries for Burnley in January 2011.

Bournemouth Echo: DEAL: Charlie Austin with Burnley boss Eddie Howe yesterday

While Austin confirmed informal talks had taken place, he also said he had no intention of leaving QPR and had been desperate to help them regain their top-flight status.

Austin joined Southampton in a bargain £4million move in January and is expected to make his second start for his new club against Cherries tonight.

In an exclusive interview with the Daily Echo, Austin, who played under Howe during the Cherries manager’s 21-month stay at Burnley, said: “There were talks but that was as far as it went.

“I could have left QPR in the summer but the right club didn’t come in for me.

"That is why I waited. I had no intention to move and was happy to see out the season at QPR. But Southampton came in for me and it was no-brainer to get the deal done.

“I know there was a lot of talk about me coming to Bournemouth and everyone seemed to know what was going on in the transfer window.

"I kept hearing people had seen me here and there. I don’t think it helped the situation that my mum and dad live in Bournemouth!”

Austin, who almost joined Saints before he signed for Burnley in January 2011, will have mother and father Karen and Fred and grandfather Oz watching him against Cherries.

With Shane Long struggling with injury, Austin could again start having partnered the Republic of Ireland international against Chelsea on Saturday.

Austin added: “We are really looking forward to it. We need to bounce back after losing to Chelsea. We were unlucky to lose and felt we should have got something from the game.

“We had come off the back of six clean sheets and are showing some good form.”