BOSS Eddie Howe admitted he had “the utmost respect” for Rotherham manager Steve Evans for the role the Scot played in Cherries’ Greatest Escape.

As manager of Conference Premier Crawley in January 2009, Evans allowed striker Steve Fletcher to return to Dean Court so he could help Cherries fight for Football League survival.

Fletcher went on to score four goals in 21 appearances that season, the last of which was the winner in a 2-1 home victory over Grimsby which ensured Howe’s side retained League Two status, despite the blow of a 17-point deduction.

And Howe, appointed permanently to the hot seat days before signing Fletcher, has always remembered that exchange with Evans.

Speaking ahead of his reunion with the Millers boss tomorrow (3pm), Howe said: “My dealings with Steve have been very good.

“We rang him up when we were second-bottom of the Football League to try and get Steve Fletcher out of Crawley and at the time he didn’t want to let Fletch go as he was a massive part of his plans and the phone call came at a bad time.

“I have to say that I have the utmost respect for him because he allowed Fletch to sign for us and that was due to his relationship with him, and he knew the emotional attachment this club had with Fletch.

“I can’t speak highly enough of him on that and every conversation we’ve had since.”

Rotherham have experienced a mixed start to the Championship season and are placed 17th in the table with six points from five games.

Evans recruited heavily over the summer and brought in strikers Luciano Becchio and Jonson Clarke-Harris on deadline day, the latter for a club record fee.

Howe added: “Rotherham have changed a lot of players from last season to try and bridge the gap from League One and it will be interesting to see how they all settle in together.

“With a lot of new players in their team, it will be a dangerous game for us. Their motivation levels will be very high.

“We saw with the Brentford game how a newly-promoted team can show that energy and motivation to win and we have to make sure that we are more motivated than they are.

“I think we’ll know what to expect but it’s up to us to stamp our authority and our way of playing on them.”

Transfer window signing Andrew Surman is not quite at full match fitness while a late decision will be made on striker Tokelo Rantie, who is due to return from South Africa duty today.