EDDIE Howe believes it would have been unfair for him to block a loan move for Max Gradel – and left the door open for the winger to rekindle his Cherries career.

Boss Howe last week reluctantly allowed Gradel to join Ligue 1 side Toulouse until the end of the season with a view to the Ivory Coast international discovering fitness and form.

The 29-year-old made a notable start to his spell at his loan club, netting a stunning opener 18 minutes into Toulouse's 6-2 loss at Paris St Germain on Sunday.

Gradel had been restricted to 11 substitute appearances in the Premier League last term, with his previous campaign wrecked by a serious knee injury which kept him out for six months.

And while Howe had not wanted Gradel to depart, he was keen to secure the former Leeds and Saint-Étienne ace the game time he craved as well as preventing "resentment" from brewing.

Howe told the Daily Echo: "I was very reluctant to see him go. I'm very reluctant to see any player go who shares his attitude and passion for the game.

"I love being around Max. He is a real energiser and has been brilliant. Even throughout his injuries and race to get back to fitness, his attitude has been incredible.

"But I have to be fair to the lad. With the length of time he has been out, I didn't feel I could keep him from playing football and not give him the opportunity to find his fitness and form again.

"So we came to an agreement where if I wasn't going to involve him, we would look to get him some game time.

"I think we made the decision together so there was no problem with that. It's to help Max in the next stage of his career.

"Selfishly, I could have said 'you are going to sit here' but I don't think you then see the best of Max and then I think resentment maybe kicks in and it's difficult."

Howe will monitor closely Gradel's efforts at Stadium Municipal and believes the effervescent wide man will be pushed to produce his best in Ligue 1.

And if Gradel impresses in south western France, Howe says he will be welcomed back to Vitality Stadium.

The boss added: "I hope he does very well and there's always the view that if he does do very well, he can come back here and be part of our squad in future.

"But he's never going to get to that point if he doesn't play football, so that's why we've made the decision.

"It is a very high level. I've got no problem with the quality of the league, I think it's everything the Premier League is in some respects.

"If he does well there, he will be welcomed back."

Gradel will hope to feature when Toulouse entertain Rennes on Saturday night.