BOSS Eddie Howe believes Cherries’ young goalkeepers “can learn so much” from working alongside Artur Boruc and insisted: “I am sure he’s an inspiration to them.”

The veteran stopper was a landslide winner of the Daily Echo online readers’ team of the decade poll for glovemen, with 77 per cent of the vote.

Boruc, who turns 40 in February, has been named on the bench for every Premier League game this season as back-up to 21-year-old Aaron Ramsdale.

Fellow stopper Mark Travers, 20, was selected to play in both Carabao Cup ties against Forest Green and Burton Albion.

But despite the former Celtic star not featuring on the pitch for Cherries as of yet this campaign, Howe believes Boruc has been “brilliant” in adapting his role.

Speaking about the Siedlce-born keeper, Howe told the Daily Echo: “I can’t praise him enough.

“He has been very professional, very motivating for the other players and has been a really big help to the young goalkeepers we have.

“It’s brilliant because of how he has adapted his role. How he has conducted himself mentally. There is a lot of credit thrown his way for that.

“It’s not easy when you have had the career that he’s had and you are the personality that he is, to take that role in the way that he has.

“But he has helped the young goalkeepers. I am sure he’s an inspiration to them. They can learn so much from him because he has seen it and done it at every level, full credit to Artur.”

Boruc, who helped Cherries earn promotion to the Premier League in 2015, has not featured in a competitive fixture since April.

He has however been sharpening his fitness in the boxing ring, attending sessions at Bendall’s Gym on Ashley Road.

“I think the boxing stuff is something that’s a slight change of environment, a change of dynamics and can only be good for him,” said Howe.

“It’s something we have encouraged with Artur because one of his big challenges is to keep physically fit while not playing and to keep in the best physical condition for when he is needed.

“To be able to step into the rigours of the Premier League is not an easy challenge. He has gone away and worked really hard at that aspect of his fitness.

“It’s something he’s enjoyed and I am sure the guys around the gym there have enjoyed having him there.”

Boruc is expected to be part of Howe’s travelling squad for Saturday’s Premier League showdown at Chelsea (3pm).