EDDIE Howe is urging Cherries fans to play their part in helping "excellent" Jordon Ibe fulfil his potential at Vitality Stadium.

Ibe has flickered only intermittently since his arrival from Liverpool in a club record £15m deal in the summer.

The 20-year-old was hauled off at half-time in Cherries' last home game against Sunderland. And during his 45 minutes on the pitch in that match Ibe was the cause of some discernible rumblings of discontent in the stands.

Asked by the Daily Echo if it's important for Cherries' support to back Ibe, Howe said: "I’ve never know a Bournemouth crowd to turn on one of its own players, that’s not what they do here.

"I can speak from my own experience. When I had tough times the supporters were brilliant with me.

"From their perspective, as long as they see the player giving 100 per cent they’ll take that.

"But certainly, with younger players I would encourage the fans to back them to the hilt. The players are trying their best, they’re giving their all.

"Every player is different but they all need support to fulfil their potential."

Former Liverpool player Ray Houghton this week told the Daily Echo it was unfair to have expected Ibe to set the world alight immediately after his move south.

And Howe is convinced Cherries' fans can look forward to watching a special talent operating in their colours.

He said: "I think there’s so much more to come from him. The potential of the player is limitless.

"Technically and athletically he’s excellent. He has things to learn, he’s only 20 years old. We have to be patient but I believe he can make a real difference for us in the Premier League, given time.

"Some people take longer than others to settle, to get used to the way of working, to get used to the team.

"You can look at statistics around the player, but we’ve seen many good things from him. Maybe not on a consistent basis – and I think for any young player that is the challenge: to turn the moments of brilliance into more consistent match winning efforts."

Howe, meanwhile, is hoping Adam Lallana isn’t in tow when Ibe's former team are in town tomorrow.

The England winger returned to training on Thursday after a groin injury kept him out of the Reds' past three games.

Lallana appeared four times for Cherries during a loan spell in 2007 and Howe remembers an exceptional player.

He said "You could see then, technically, he was very good off both feet, he had all the tricks you need and a very creative eye. I’ve been an admirer of his for a long time and I hope not to see him on Sunday."

Howe also reacted to reports of West Ham targeting striker Callum Wilson.

"That’s the first I’ve heard of it," he said

Asked how he'd respond to a mooted £25m bid for the player Howe replied: "I’d say not for sale."