EDDIE Howe says he could sense Adam Lallana was “destined for great things” after seeing him at close quarters during his brief loan spell at Cherries.

The midfielder came through the centre of excellence at Cherries before being snapped up as a youngster by Southampton.

He returned to Dean Court for a month-long loan spell in 2007, playing four matches during which time Howe was a coach under boss Kevin Bond.

Lallana, 31, has since gone on to play more than 250 games for Southampton, feature and score for England and also win a host of trophies including the Champions League with Liverpool, following a £25million switch from Saints in 2014.

“I always remember Adam being a very impressive technical player, very good in tight areas, had the ability to beat a man in such a small space,” Howe told the Daily Echo ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Merseyside (12.30pm).

“Great lad, came here with a real desire to do well. He’s gone on to have a fantastic career.

“From those early exchanges with him and moments where we worked with him, you could tell he was destined for great things, because of his mindset and how he approached the game and with his technical ability added, great player.”