MANAGER Eddie Howe believes stand-in skipper Simon Francis is currently playing some of “the best football of his life”.

Francis, deputising as captain in the absence of injured Tommy Elphick, has started all nine games in the Premier League.

The 30-year-old defender is again set to lead Cherries when they host Tottenham at Vitality Stadium on Sunday (2.05pm).

Howe said: “I think Simon has done well. Individually, he has really followed the team in terms of his progression.

“He was outstanding for us last season and, for me, he was the best right-back in the Championship by some distance.

“He has continued that form and, in some games, has certainly been as good as he was last season and now we are talking about the very highest level.

“As always with every player, I will say there is room for improvement. He could do certain things better but I have been very pleased.

“I don’t look at him as an experienced player or as a player of his age. Physically, he is younger than his age suggests and mentally he is coachable and moldable. You can give him information and review things with him and he never gets flustered.

“For all these reasons, he has moved forward at this stage of his career and has probably produced the best football of his life.”