MANAGER Eddie Howe voiced his desire to be able to complete the Premier League campaign but insisted: “The health of the general public has to take priority.”

Cherries had been due back in training tomorrow but, with the Premier League now suspending the campaign indefinitely due to COVID-19, all training has also been suspended in line with the announcement.

The decision also falls in line with the UK government directive for people to stay at home and help the NHS save lives amid the coronavirus outbreak.

While stressing safety had to come first, the Cherries boss said “the fairest way for everybody” would be to finish the 2019-20 playing schedule “when it’s safe to do so”.

Howe told the Daily Echo: “I think at the moment that is definitely the priority, is to try to finish the league.

“It’s the fairest way for everybody to decide promotion, relegation and all the things that are up in the air and have been talked about.

“But let’s wait and see when we can do that, when we can restart the league because the health and safety of the players, everyone that’s connected with putting a Premier League game on, supporters and the health of the general public has to take priority.”

Cherries have not featured in a top-flight encounter since March 7, a 2-1 defeat to runaway league leaders Liverpool at Anfield.

Howe’s side are currently 18th in the table, inside the relegation zone with nine games left to escape the drop – should the season be finished.

But the boss insisted his side being in the bottom three meant little, in the midst of a global pandemic.

“It’s not nice. Being in the bottom three has loomed over us and when you are in that position for a sustained spell like we have been, it’s been difficult,” he added.

“But I think you can’t compare any of our issues with what’s going on around the country and the world.

“Football has taken a back seat in terms of the league and how it stands quite rightly, because there is a bigger thing going on. Everyone’s efforts are focused on that and rightly so.”

Having not seen his players and staff in person for more than three weeks, the manager admitted he was missing the game more than ever.

“I think there is something missing for me in my life if I don’t have it,” he added.

“The challenge of winning, the consistent fight you have of trying to get results.

“Everything that goes into trying to build a winning football team I have missed. If you are not doing it and you are used to doing it, you miss it.

“That’s the sign that I am in the right job and the right world. I have missed it greatly and can’t wait to get back involved again when it’s safe to do so.”