ROY Hodgson believes Eddie Howe “absolutely” has the talent to take on a big managerial position.

The Cherries boss has been linked with the likes of Everton and West Ham over the past week, with the Mirror on Saturday reporting the 42-year-old is the Toffees’ “top choice” to replace Marco Silva.

Howe dismissed any speculation ahead of tomorrow’s battle at Palace (7.30pm) at this morning’s press conference.

He said: “It’s not right in any way for me to comment on that. I am working hard here (at Cherries) to get a result tomorrow.

“With the run of form we are in I find that not the right question to answer.”

But asked whether he felt Howe has the talent for a big job soon, former England manager Hodgson said: “Absolutely.

“I think his record is really, very, very good. What he has done at Bournemouth is quite exceptional.

“He’s put together a very good team. They play very good football, they are very well organised.

“All the things you would want to see in your team, he has produced that for the Bournemouth owners and fans.

“I’d be very surprised if his name isn’t linked with other jobs when they come up.

“It might not be as easy for him to leave Bournemouth because I don’t think the Bournemouth people would be delighted to see him go.

“But the fact there are people out there who look at him and what he does with his club and say ‘this is a good manager, this might be someone we would like’ that doesn’t surprise me one bit.”