CHERRIES boss Eddie Howe believes a drinking culture has disappeared from football and says he would always advise his players: “Don’t touch a drop.”

Howe revealed he had seen players drink to excess during the early part of his career but was adamant the demands of the Premier League made it impossible to “mix the two”.

He fielded questions on the subject at his pre-match press conference ahead of Cherries’ visit to Goodison Park tomorrow.

Everton’s former England captain Wayne Rooney this week pleaded guilty to drink-driving and was banned from driving for two years.

Howe spoke about the matter in general and not about Rooney.

Asked whether he was surprised a drinking culture still existed in the game, Howe replied: “I don’t think there is at all. There may be one or two isolated incidents but the game has changed dramatically from when I first started.

“It is unrecognisable how players behave and how they look after themselves. There will always be incidents, that is human nature. There will always be stories of players doing certain things but, in the main, I don’t think there is a drinking culture in football at all.

“Historically, it is no secret players had a drink back in the day. But in the modern day and with everything about our training, I just don’t think you can mix the two and I think that is the same at every club.”

Asked whether he had seen examples of excessive drinking in his playing career, Howe said: “Yes, when I started playing, I think it was quite common place in the game for players to have a drink after a match or to have one midweek. I don’t think it was normal, it was just the culture and that is where it has changed so much since then.

“I don’t ever advocate that the players should drink and there is no window for me. If a player says ‘can I?’, I would always say no.

“The reality is that you know that is not going to happen. But my rule is for my players to be the best they can then don’t touch a drop.

“Every manager up and down the land will want his players to be professional and to look after themselves to give themselves the best chance they have to perform well in the Premier League.

“The big difference now is that you can’t mix the two because the demands physically are so extreme on players. They need to be ready to perform.

“I think it is obvious if someone has been drinking the night before and they turn up the next day. There are obvious signs you look for and can see.

“We haven’t had an issue here. That is not to say we won’t have an issue in the future. You can never get complacent with these things.”

Asked if he was teetotal, Howe replied: “I probably am now. When I was playing, I certainly didn’t drink to excess. I may have had one or two but drinking has never been something I have enjoyed and it has not been something that I have ever wanted to do.”