EDDIE Howe insisted he gave “little relevance” to pundits linking him with a move away from Vitality Stadium and would not let it affect his focus.

The Cherries boss was speaking after Jamie Redknapp claimed Chelsea should target him as their next manager.

Sky Sports pundit Redknapp wrote in his column for the Daily Mail that Howe was “ready to manage a top-six side” and said the Blues should recruit him to succeed the under-pressure Antonio Conte.

Redknapp said: “The time will come when Howe feels he has outgrown Bournemouth and he is more than capable of becoming Chelsea's first permanent British manager since Glenn Hoddle in 1996.

“For any owner, Eddie Howe ticks every box.”

Howe plotted Chelsea’s downfall when the Dorset club won 3-0 at Stamford Bridge last month.

Responding to the link, the Cherries boss said: “What other people say, whether it is good or bad, I try to give it little relevance to how I think.

“I think everyone knows my focus is always on the next training session.”

Howe revealed defenders Steve Cook and Adam Smith were “in contention” for Sunday’s clash with Huddersfield Town (12noon).