CHERRIES boss Eddie Howe broke the bad news over Adam Smith’s aborted campaign before labelling as “a season highlight” the full-back’s efforts.

Smith will not feature again for Cherries in the Premier League this term with Howe now keen to ensure the 25-year-old is fit in time for pre-season.

The versatile ex-Tottenham man has not seen match action since being forced off with a groin problem in the 4-0 defeat to Manchester City at the beginning of April.

Without Smith’s services for tomorrow’s home clash with West Brom (3pm) and the season-ending trip to Manchester United, Howe hailed the impact of the defender upon the club’s top-flight survival.

Howe told the Daily Echo: “I think we all know what a talented player Adam is and he has had a really good season.

“He didn’t play a lot last year due to Simon Francis’s form and, really, got his opportunity through injury. But it’s one thing getting the opportunity and another thing taking it.

“Producing the performances he did was a season highlight for me because for a long time he was outstanding and a real heartbeat of the team. He showed his quality and that he has a really bright future.”

Addressing Smith’s injury and future prospects, Howe confirmed: “Adam won’t play again this season. He has been to see various specialists to make sure we get the right course of treatment because the summer is a big one for him.

“We need to make sure he is back in pre-season and fit. That’s our main concern now.”

Signed permanently from Tottenham in January 2014, Smith made his Cherries debut seven weeks later when he came on as a late substitute in a 1-0 defeat at Charlton.

He made three further substitute appearances before earning his first start in the 1-0 final-day defeat at Millwall, a game in which he was replaced by Francis at half-time.

Smith started just six times and made 23 outings from the bench as Cherries roared to the Championship title last term but a long-term injury to captain Tommy Elphick and Francis’s positional shift afforded the young defender a chance he seized with both hands.

Smith made 18 straight league starts from the beginning of September and 23 over the course of the season before injury cruelly ruled him out of the final week.

Meanwhile, Howe revealed experienced defender Sylvain Distin, who is out of contract this summer, would be unlikely to play again this season due to a back complaint.

However, the boss reported that winger Max Gradel was improving following a calf problem.

The most recent league appearance of the Ivorian – who had previously battled back from a serious knee injury – was in the 2-1 home defeat to Liverpool in mid-April.

Howe said: “Maxi’s trained this week and is making good progress.”