EDDIE Howe feels his side's achievement of staying in the Premier League again will take time to sink in.

Cherries travel to Leicester for Sunday's finale safe in the knowledge they have guaranteed top-flight football for another campaign.

And Howe's side could end as high as eighth if they secure victory at King Power Stadium and results elsewhere go their way.

The boss said: "It has been a good season to this point and we want to finish on a high if we can. Our end-of-season form has been very strong.

"The first year was tough, everything we expected it to be. We felt the second season would be different in many ways, potentially harder and I think that has been the case.

"I don't think there has been any surprises for us, the pitfalls of the second season have been there, but we have managed to control them and the players deserve a lot of credit for not letting standards drop.

"The work rate and the attitude have been there. When those two things are there, we are a very difficult team to play against."

Howe added: "There have been several moments to look back on and it is difficult for me to really appreciate them during the season, it is only when you sit back and reflect in the summer.

"The Liverpool games, home and away, were big ones, they were special days for us, as well as beating Everton here, drawing with Tottenham here, not only great results but excellent performances.

"The draw at Old Trafford, especially in the circumstances, was also an heroic effort from the players."