'You can’t keep a player that’s heart isn’t here' - Eddie Howe insists he has no regrets over sale of Tyrone Mings

Mings joined Aston Villa for £26.5million in July, following a successful loan spell with Dean Smith's side, helping them to promotion from the Championship.

He has since gone on to make his England debut.

But while Howe is pleased to see the progress of the 26-year-old, he says he had to let him leave.

"You can’t keep a player that’s heart isn’t here," said Howe.

"I think when he went to Aston Villa and got promotion there, that was an amazing experience for Tyrone. And then I think it’s difficult once someone’s heart has gone to another club to then force them to stay.

"We were sort of in that position where we didn’t want to sell him, I said that in the summer.

"But then you have to be realistic – if the player’s wishes are that he wishes to pursue other options and other football clubs, you can’t really stand in his way."

Mings was limited to just 23 appearances for Cherries in four years at the club, down in large part to serious knee and back injuries.

And Howe believes that combined with the form of Nathan Ake played a big part in his decision to leave.

Howe said: "It was a difficult one for us, especially with his injury record as well.

"He had been here a long time and hadn’t played and I think that psychology also needed to be thought about.

"But we watch him now with pride, knowing that we played a small part in his journey to get to where he is now and there’s only positive wishes from us towards Tyrone.

"We hope he goes on to have a brilliant career."

The boss added: "He worked days off, he was in. He showed an unbelievable attitude.

"But there comes a time when you’re playing behind Nathan and you can’t see any chink of light behind him and you’re waiting and you’re waiting and you’re waiting and Nathan was fit and playing so well.

"That wait became difficult for him and he couldn’t wait any longer and I understood that."