SKIPPER Tommy Elphick admitted he had been “mentally shattered” following the postponement of Cherries’ final game of the season at Manchester United.

And while Elphick thinks it will be a “massive ask” for Eddie Howe’s team to regroup for tonight’s restaging, he also says the lure of a lofty finish will give them a “huge incentive”.

Elphick had been due to lead Cherries against the Red Devils on Sunday before the clash was called off at the 11th hour due to a security alert at Old Trafford.

“Even though we didn’t kick a ball, I felt like I had played 90 minutes,” said Elphick. “You go through all the emotions when something like that happens.

“I went through my pre-match routine thinking I was going to play and then it didn’t happen. At first, we thought there was only going to be a delay before we found out the game wasn’t going to start at all. When you hear what’s happened, you start to worry for your family and friends and everybody in the stadium.

“It is going to be a massive ask for us to go through it all again but the manager has been brilliant with us. He has left us to our own devices to make sure we are ready.

“Our training pitches have been dug up so we have been limited facility-wise. Most of the lads came in to do a bit of work and others did theirs away from the ground.

“I think both clubs and everybody involved deserve huge credit for getting the game played so quickly because that is what we all wanted. We are looking forward to a good game.”

While United’s chances of finishing in a Champions League place have bitten the dust, victory for Cherries would see them end the season in 14th.

Currently 16th and already guaranteed to receive £6.18million in prize money, Cherries would bank an additional £1,236,083 for every place higher they could finish.

Elphick added: “A couple of places are not only huge in terms of the financial rewards for the club but would give everybody a huge psychological boost heading into next season.

“The game has got a bit bigger for us and there is a huge incentive to try to get the three points.

“We didn’t think we would be playing this late whereas Manchester United would have been preparing for the FA Cup final anyway. There are all sorts of swings and roundabouts both psychologically and physically but the motivation for us to win has probably increased knowing a higher league placing is in our hands.”

Elphick felt the handling of Sunday’s events had been excellent and was keen to express his gratitude to officials from Manchester United, the Premier League and referee Jon Moss.