STEVE Fletcher insisted he “never had a doubt” Eddie Howe could pull off a transformation on Tyneside, as the legendary boss gets set to welcome his former club in the Carabao Cup tomorrow (7.45pm).

Howe, who guided Cherries from the depths of League Two to the Premier League in two separate spells, took over at Newcastle in November 2021 with the Magpies 19th in the Premier League.

Having comfortably guided the St James’ Park club to 11th in the top flight last term, Howe now has his side sitting third in the division – just two points behind reigning champions Manchester City.

Fletcher, who played under Howe during the Greatest Escape season, as well as worked in his backroom team, is set to head to the north east as part of Gary O’Neil’s staff in the fourth round of the competition.

Asked by the Daily Echo whether he ever thought Howe would transform things at Newcastle like he has done, Fletcher replied: “No, I never had a doubt he would transform the club the way he has… I didn’t think they’d be sitting third in the Premier League!

“But that speaks measures of the man. What he is and what he’s about and what he stands for.

“All the professionalism he has around him. When he was here, those little half per cents that people brush under the carpet – he used to go mad with because he said all those half per cents mount up and he’s right.

“It took me a while to understand his thought process behind things. He was so meticulous, hardworking and he was very astute. He knew what he wanted. He was driven.”

Howe’s side were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw when Cherries headed to Tyneside back in September. They have not lost a competitive game since a 2-1 defeat to Liverpool on August 31.

“He plays to his strengths and he knows what he wants and there’s one thing I can say about Eddie Howe now. He sticks by his laurels, what he’s about,” added Fletcher.

“He has a philosophy and ethos and everybody – I mean everybody at that football club has to buy into it.

“He is reaping his rewards now and it’s no shock to me.”

Victory would take Cherries into round five of the competition, with those ties set to be played on the week commencing January 9.