EDDIE Howe insisted "brilliant servant" Matt Ritchie deserved a good reception from Cherries fans and said he did not hold the winger's exit against him.

Having joined Cherries from Swindon Town for around £500,000 in January 2013, Ritchie played a pivotal role in promotion to the Championship and then the Premier League.

Again a key player in the club's inaugural top-flight voyage, the Scotland international elected to move to relegated Newcastle United for £12million at the end of the campaign.

And with the Magpies back in the Premier League following promotion last season, the 28-year-old is tomorrow due to return to Vitality Stadium for the first time (3pm).

Asked what reception Ritchie could expect, Howe told the Daily Echo: "I would hope it would be a good one because I think – and people may disagree with me – you should thank Matty for everything he gave this football club.

"He was a brilliant servant. We bought him very cheaply and I was surprised we were able to get him for the price we did.

"He did unbelievably well. He always showed a good attitude in games and worked so hard. He was a very passionate guy and wanted to succeed.

"He trained well and was a model professional and with what he did for us and what he achieved, I don't think we can give him any other reception than a good one.

"But football being football and the rivalries which exist, we will wait and see.

"I think it's about showing an appreciation for what he did for the club. The only element I think the Bournemouth supporters could look at negatively would be that Matty left the football club and that he wanted to leave.

"But sometimes you have to acknowledge it is a very short career and lots of things can happen to a footballer in a very short period of time.

"I don't hold it against him. We got a good transfer fee for him and I respect him a lot so I hope he gets a good reaction."

Having suffered a 4-1 thrashing at the hands of Huddersfield Town 12 days ago, Cherries headed to Portugal for a training camp.

Howe continued: "The two-week break wasn't ideal because we wanted a game straight after.

"The next-best thing was to take the players into a different environment so they could feel the change, not reflect too much on the result and focus on the training.

"We did work hard and we were pleased with the output from the players and we expect that to show in the match.

"I don't think I've ever put a training session on and said 'let's make them pay'. I work with my players, not against them.

"For me, it's always about developing, so when we work the players hard it's about improving their fitness levels or developing them technically and tactically. That's very much my method."