EDDIE Howe says a desire to replicate his players' training environment was behind the decision to relay the Vitality Stadium pitch.

Cherries made the pioneering move to install a hybrid turf in time for their victory over Liverpool a fortnight ago.

They are the first Premier League club to play on a pitch that has an artificial element, being a combination of 95 per cent natural turf and five per cent yarn stitched into the ground.

It is the same surface as that in Russia's Luzhiniki Stadium, which is slated to host the 2018 World Cup final.

Howe told the Daily Echo: "We wanted to improve the surface for the players, to make it the same firmness as the training ground they are on every day.

"Little tweaks do make a difference."

Asked if he had been the prime mover behind the change, Howe replied: "Yes, in conjunction with the ground staff and with Jason (Tindall).

"It’s really important we have that communication with the people who actually deal with the pitch day to day."