MANAGER Eddie Howe believes Jordon Ibe can turn his life around to “fulfil all his potential” and insisted the winger “now has to look to the future”.

The Cherries boss was speaking after Ibe was banned from driving and hit with a £7,500 fine after crashing his Bentley into a London coffee shop.

Ibe, 24, also struck a Mercedes car when he smashed into The Pantry on Plaistow Lane in Bromley, south east London, shortly before 5am on July 30 last year, causing thousands of pounds of damage to the building.

Ibe, who drove off after stopping briefly at the scene, admitted a charge of careless driving and was found guilty of one count of failing to stop after an accident at a court hearing in February.

He was handed a 16-month driving disqualification and 12-month community order at a sentencing hearing at Bromley Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.

In a pre-prepared statement read on behalf of his lawyer, Ibe said: “I want to make it clear that I accept full responsibility for my actions and lack of judgment when driving.

“I apologise unreservedly to those whose property is damaged as a result of a road traffic accident on July 30, 2019. My insurance has met the claims in full after I personally offered to compensate them.

“I want to also apologise to my club, Bournemouth, to my manager, Eddie Howe, to my team-mates, my fans, and particularly to my family.

“I realise I have let them all down. This is not the example I want to set for others. Most of all, as a highly committed professional athlete I know I have let myself down.

“The last 12 months have been difficult and challenging for me on a number of fronts.

“I accept the decision of the court and will learn valuable lessons as I move forward with my career and my life. I am fortunate to have a close and supportive family around me to help turn my life around.”

Asked by the Daily Echo whether he accepted the winger’s apology, Howe replied: “Yeah, of course, I don’t think you can punish people twice for the same thing and for me now it’s closed.

“Jordon now has to look to the future and we have to look to the future. Draw a line under it but learn from it.

“I think that would be my big message, is learning from every mistake you make, every failure you have – as long as you learn and grow from it – it can be seen as a very positive thing for him.”

Ibe, who was signed by Cherries from Liverpool for £15million in July 2016, has not made a first-team appearance since September.

He has featured just twice in the Premier League this season, coming off the bench against Manchester City and Leicester.

Quizzed on whether he felt the Londoner could turn his life around, Howe said: “Of course. I believe anyone can do that and Jordon is still young enough to make the changes he needs to make to fulfil all his potential.

“I would believe that even if he was older. Anyone is capable of change and capable of reaching their potential.

“But you have to make sacrifices and you have to make changes if you are not living your life the way that is conducive to that sort of success.

“It’s only through hard work, dedication and discipline that players will have success. That’s certainly something for him to think about.”

Howe added: “There’s no doubt about the quality of his playing characteristics. There is no doubt about that for me.

“But, certainly, there needs to be a change in Jordon’s life for him to reach the level that he can.”

Ibe’s contract at Vitality Stadium is also up at the end of the season.

Asked whether he had played his final game for Cherries, Howe replied: “I’m not going to give you a definitive answer to that.

“I think Jordon’s had a very difficult season. It goes without saying, some of the things that have happened off the pitch certainly haven’t helped him. So, we will wait and see on that.

“I’d be foolish if I sat here and said ‘no, he’s played his last game’ and then he ended up playing again. I never shut the door on anybody until they have left the club.

“But certainly, he’s got a long way back from here.

“His contract is up at the end of the season but, as I said, I have been in the game long enough to know things can change very quickly – let’s see.”