CHERRIES boss Eddie Howe has hailed goalkeeper Artur Boruc for forming “a really good partnership” with Asmir Begovic.

Howe's comments, which came during his press conference ahead of Cherries’ trip to Burnley, may suggest the Pole could be in line for a new contract.

Boruc’s current deal is due to expire at the end of June and he has not featured in the Premier League since starting Cherries’ 2-1 win over Burnley a year ago.

The 38-year-old has this season been restricted to six appearances in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup following the arrival of Begovic, a £10million summer signing from Chelsea.

Despite Boruc playing second fiddle to Begovic in the Premier League, Howe said the former Poland international had been a key player behind the scenes.

Fielding a question on Begovic’s first season at the club, Howe said: “Asmir has been very consistent and has brought a real calmness to the goalkeeping dept.

“His professionalism really stands out and he is on it every single day with Neil Moss and the goalkeeping team.

“Asmir and Artur have formed a really good partnership as well. The dynamic between them has been really strong and I credit Artur with that as well.

“Although he hasn’t featured on the pitch too much, he has been a huge part of our success.

“Off the pitch, he has been absolutely brilliant and I can’t credit him enough for that and those two have worked really well together.”

Boruc joined Cherries on a free transfer in June 2015 having impressed during two separate loan spells from Southampton as they won the Championship.

He made 37 appearances as Cherries clinched promotion and kept 16 clean sheets in 67 games in their first two seasons in the top flight.

In previous years, Boruc triggered appearance-related clauses entitling him to new 12-month contracts but that has not been the case this season.

Boruc and Ryan Allsop, who is currently on loan to Lincoln City, are the only two members of Howe’s first-team squad who are out of contract in the summer.

Allsop kept a clean sheet in the first leg of Lincoln's League Two play-off semi-final against Exeter on Saturday.

The Imps drew 0-0 with the Grecians at Sincil Bank, with the second leg at St James Park on Thursday.