FULL-back Simon Francis admits he owes Lee Bradbury a debt of gratitude for the ex-Cherries manager's role in his career turnaround.

In 2011, Francis was out of favour at League One high-fliers Charlton and was subsequently signed by Bradbury on loan and then on a permanent deal.

Four years on, Cherries are primed to finalise their spot in the 2015-16 Premier League at The Valley with the Championship title still up for grabs, while Charlton look set to finish mid-table in the same division.

Francis, 30, insisted he could not have predicted the happy manner in which his career had unfolded.

He told the Daily Echo: "It's quite a turnaround in football fortunes for me having come down here on loan in the season Charlton got promoted.

"Charlton is an excellent club with a Premier League set-up and I was disappointed to leave in the way I did. But since the first day I got here, I haven't looked back and we have gone from strength to strength.

"I'm grateful to Lee Bradbury for bringing me here on loan because if it weren't for him, I probably wouldn't be sitting here today.

"I never expected it to turn out this well. At the time, I just wanted to come down here and get some games. It's strange how things turn round in football.

"Saturday will be a nice way to end the season and if we can get the three points then you just never know about the title.

"We've been up there most of the season so to finish as champions would be absolutely excellent. It's in Watford's hands and if they go up as champions then they deserve it.

"Regardless of their result, we will still be promoted to the Premier League and that is the ultimate aim."

Francis revealed that his thoughts rarely turned to former club Charlton, with his focus understandably much more on his present club.

He added: "It has been a while since I was there. I captained us to victory over them on the opening day of last season when we blew them away. To be honest, I don’t take so much notice of them any more.

“It was a year or two of my career which could have gone better, I won't lie. But it doesn’t mean that much to me now."

Francis is in contention to return tomorrow having served a one-match suspension against Bolton on Monday, the game in which Cherries all but secured promotion to the top flight.

The defender had been banned following his dismissal in the 2-2 draw against Sheffield Wednesday.