CHERRIES manager Eddie Howe has told his players to prepare themselves for the “toughest year” of their respective careers.

Howe also said they would need to be ready to hit the ground running when they return for the start of pre-season training in early July.

Boss Howe last week held individual assessments with every member of his squad before they were stood down for their summer break.

Howe told the Daily Echo: “It is going to be a very important summer for all the players. I spoke to them individually and they were all given them same message.

“For most of them, it is going to be the toughest year of their career. They will need to come back fitter and stronger than they have ever been and be ready for the rigours of Premier League football.

“It will be a tough experience for anyone who comes back unprepared and I have made that clear to the players. This is a huge step up in every way and they have to be prepared for it.”

Howe’s current squad includes only five players with any Premier League experience – Andrew Surman, Elliott Ward, Dan Gosling, Matt Ritchie and Adam Smith.

Howe added: “You can look at that two ways and it was very similar to when we came into the Championship from League One. We had very limited experience of that division and that can be a strength and a weakness.

“We will certainly be drilling into the players how tough and difficult it is going to be if we don’t set new standards for ourselves. But I am sure everybody will be ready for the stern examination that awaits us all.”

Meanwhile, Howe is pondering adding to his recruitment department, which is currently headed by former Cherries midfielder Richard Hughes.

David Webb, who joined Cherries’ scouting team in 2013, recently left the club to take on a similar post at Tottenham.

“Everyone is going to have to up their game,” said Howe. “That will apply to the players on the pitch and everyone off it as well. The whole club is going to have to increase the quality of what it delivers.

“Our recruitment team will possibily expand so we can cover areas farther afield and broaden our horizons slightly. I wouldn’t say dramatic changes were on the agenda but we may have to widen our search slightly and still be creative with how we scout.

“We had an edge on our rivals in the Championship and now the challenge becomes even harder when you are trying to battle with other Premier League clubs.

“It is going to become incredibly difficult and that runs across the board. We are going to have to improve in all areas – sports science, medical and coaching – in order to be competitive.”