EDDIE Howe is confident Cherries have “the players and the manager to stay up”, despite the club sitting in the Premier League’s relegation zone.

Howe returned to Dean Court on Saturday for the first time since leaving the club more than two years ago, with his Newcastle United team.

The game ended level, with Miguel Almiron cancelling out Marcos Senesi’s opener in a 1-1 draw.

Cherries are now winless in nine matches across league and cup since Gary O’Neil went from interim to permanent head coach.

Despite that, Howe believes his former club have what it takes to avoid the drop, following a busy January transfer window.

Asked if he thinks Cherries’ new-look squad will get the points required in the second half of the season to avoid the drop, Howe told the Daily Echo: “Yes, without a doubt I do.

“Coming here, the power of the home ground and what this ground can do, I’ve been the beneficiary of that, many, many times.

“I think home form will probably be absolutely crucial.

“But definitely I think they’ve got the players and the manager to stay up.”

Dorset-raised Howe came through the academy at Cherries, before going on to make more than 300 appearances for the club across two spells.

Having retired early due to injury, he was then thrust into the managerial hotseat aged just 31, masterminding the ‘Greatest Escape’, keeping the club afloat despite starting the 2008-09 campaign on minus 17 points.

Howe then piloted the club all the way up from League Two to the Premier League, returning after a brief spell away at Burnley, keeping them in the top flight for five seasons.

He left Cherries by mutual consent in August 2020, following relegation from the Premier League, taking a sabbatical before returning to management with Newcastle in November 2021.

Since moving to Tyneside, Cherries legend Howe is already a fans’ favourite with his new club, guiding them away from relegation trouble last season before taking them through to a first cup final since 1999 this year. They will face Manchester United in the Carabao Cup showpiece later this month.

On top of that, Newcastle currently sit fourth in the Premier League.

“My heart will always have a place here, because of my history,” Howe said, reflecting on his return to Cherries.

“Not just mine, but my family’s. My brother played here and I’ve got a long association.

“So an element of my heart will always be here, but I’m very much focused on my challenge now at Newcastle and enjoying that immensely.”

Discussing seeing some of his former players having such a key role in Cherries’ current side, Howe added: “I’m really pleased for those players. I think they’re all top players.

“They’re all very different, of course. I won’t sit here and talk about each and every one of them.

“But I’m very pleased to see the club doing well and back in the Premier League.

“I hope it continues to go from strength to strength.”