EDDIE Howe says Cherries' desire to secure Premier League survival is all the motivation they need for tomorrow's crucial encounter with relegation-haunted Middlesbrough.

Howe saw his team beaten 4-0 at Tottenham last week – seven days after losing to league leaders Chelsea – with Match of the Day pundit Alan Shearer later accusing Cherries of a "lack of effort" at White Hart Lane.

Howe told the Daily Echo: "If you’re motivated by those comments there would be a problem. You have to be internally motivated.

"Individually you have to have the fire burning every day, no matter what people say about you.

"I don’t think there was a lack of effort. It was a difficult afternoon for us, I am not going to deny that.

"Tottenham were excellent and we didn’t play to the levels we were capable of. But they were just better than us on the day."

Cherries have a seven-point cushion to the bottom three, with Middlesbrough a further four points adrift.

Howe nevertheless insists victory over Boro would not secure Cherries' safety and he is bracing himself for a tough examination against the Teessiders, who won the reverse fixture 2-0 back in October.

He said: "Every game in the Premier League, no matter who you play, is incredibly difficult.

"I am not going to say one win will make us safe. We are very motivated for the match, the past two games have been very difficult for us, but you have to look at the teams we have played.

"Before that we went on a very good run. We knew how difficult this spell would be and we have come out of it relatively well.

"Middlesbrough have players who can hurt you, like every Premier League team has.

"We know our job and we know how important the game is.

"I think it will be intriguing. Both teams are desperate to win and I think that will make it a really good spectacle but, hopefully, one we can excel in."