SHAUN MacDonald admitted boss Eddie Howe’s continued involvement at Cherries had been crucial in his decision to pen a new one-year contract.

The Welsh international will remain at Vitality Stadium until at least the summer of 2017 after finalising terms.

Discussing his new deal, midfielder MacDonald said: "It's come at the right time.

"The club is going in the right direction in the Premier League and it's a great squad that we have got here.

"To have that extra year and stay in and around this squad can only benefit me.

"The contract has been ongoing for a little while so I have had time to think about it and it's definitely the right thing to do.

"It's good to work for someone like the gaffer.

"We play the right way and the philosophy of the club will stay that way as long as the gaffer is here and that's a major part in me wanting to stay."

The 27-year-old joined Cherries from Swansea in the summer of 2011, following a string of loan spells with Yeovil.

MacDonald was speaking to the club website.