BOSS Eddie Howe has expressed a desire to keep Max Gradel at Cherries – in the wake of a failed swoop from suitors Toulouse.

Cherries last week rejected the French club's bid to sign Gradel on loan, days after the Ivorian revealed hopes of reigniting his career in Dorset.

A conflicting report was then published in newspaper L'Equipe which stated the flying winger had told his employers he wished to link up with the Stadium Municipal outfit.

Quizzed over Toulouse's interest in Gradel, Howe told the Daily Echo: “I think this club is interested to take Max but at this moment in time he is very much part of our plans.

“His attitude has been so good that we would be very reluctant to lose him.

“He has had a good pre-season so far, he has trained very well and is an important part of our squad. We’ve treated him as he deserves to be treated due to his attitude since he came back from injury.

“That is always a difficult period because you want to play but there is that period where you have to find your best form, and Max was in that moment.

“But this pre-season, he has shown he is back to his best. He has been really sharp and really impressive.

“He always has a smile on his face and he is very passionate about the game. He is very passionate about AFC Bournemouth and I have a lot of time for him, personally."

Gradel joined Cherries in a £7m move from Saint-Etienne in August 2015 but saw his first season wrecked by a serious knee injury which kept him out for six months.

He was restricted to 11 substitute appearances in the Premier League last term, fuelling speculation he could be set to depart during the current transfer window.

The 29-year-old spoke of his frustration at a lack of game time when he told the Daily Echo in April that he was “at an age where I can’t sit on the bench”.

Sunderland, Hull, Leeds, Nantes, Toulouse and Turkish outfit Besiktas have been linked with the former Saint-Etienne man, who played the opening hour of Cherries' 2-1 friendly victory over Portsmouth on Saturday.

He had previously scored and provided an assist during the opening pre-season clash with Portuguese outfit Estoril.

Meanwhile, Howe confirmed Tyrone Mings had been taken off at half-time against Portsmouth as a precaution.

Mings was one of two players substituted ahead of the second period at Fratton Park, Charlie Daniels assuming the left-back berth in his absence. Steve Cook was also brought off, with youngster Matt Worthington taking to the field instead.

Howe said: “Cookie was always going to come off at half-time as we felt that was his level at the moment and Tyrone just felt a bit of stiffness during half-time, so we thought we would take no chances."