Cherries chairman Eddie Mitchell is today remaining tight-lipped amid growing speculation Eddie Howe could be set for a sensational Dean Court return.

Former Cherries boss Howe, now in charge at Burnley, is understood to be the Dorset club’s preferred candidate to replace Paul Groves in the Goldsands Stadium hot-seat.

Since the Daily Echo reported Howe was Cherries’ top target just hours after Groves’s exit last Wednesday, the 34-year-old has been a clear favourite with bookmakers.

Howe remains a 1-6 odds-on shot and it is believed the job could be his if he wants it.

Asked by the Echo whether any approach had been made to Burnley, Cherries chief Mitchell this afternoon politely declined to comment.

Mitchell, though, did dismiss a report published on the Daily Mail website which claims Cherries “are offering Burnley £1.4million in compensation” for manager Howe.

He said he had not offered £1.4m for Howe and added: “It is just not feasible for the club to offer £1.4m – whether it be for Eddie Howe or Alex Ferguson!”

Howe, a former Cherries central defender, would be a hugely popular appointment with the club's supporters.

In his first managerial role, he saved the club from relegation before guiding Cherries to promotion back into League One.