EDDIE Howe believes Nathan Ake brings a “reassuring presence” to the Cherries defence as the Dutchman prepares to come back into the team tomorrow.

Ake missed last weekend’s clash at Burnley due to concussion suffered in training earlier in the week.

The Dutchman had only recently returned to the fold following a six-game hamstring lay-off.

But having come through this week with no ill effects following his head knock, the Dutchman is in line to face his former club Chelsea at Vitality Stadium tomorrow afternoon (3pm).

Discussing how vital it would be to have Ake available for the rest of the campaign, with Cherries two points outside the relegation zone, Howe told the Daily Echo: “He’s a massive player for us. Massive, massive player.

“He’s very consistent. He’s a stabilising effect on us, not just defensively but I think the whole team. I think he’s a reassuring presence in our back-line, got real leadership qualities as well, quality player so he’s going to be huge for us, as all our players are, in every position.

“We need them to be at their maximum levels, their best levels and we cannot afford to have any passengers in any position.

“You can’t in the Premier League because it’s so ruthless. All our players need to be at their best levels, Nathan included.”

Ake joined Cherries from Chelsea for £20million in 2017 and has played more than 100 games for the club.

Asked if he feels the 25-year-old goes into games against his former club with a point to prove, Howe said: “I’ve got no idea. It’s very difficult for me to comment on what players think and feel.

“All I can say is I know Nathan has a huge affection for Chelsea and the role that they played in his development. A lot of respect for the football club and no doubt for the people that are still involved there that were involved in his time at Chelsea.”

Quizzed further on if he believes Ake has the quality to compete in European competition in the future, Howe added: “Well I think he’s playing at the highest level in terms of the English pyramid.

“But can he go on in his career and achieve great things? Yes he can for sure.

“But I don’t want to look too far ahead.

“We’ve got 11 games left and as I would say to all of my players, his only focus, which I know it is, should be on every one of our games left.”