HEAD coach Jonathan Woodgate said he had not directly spoken with Cherries owner Maxim Demin ahead of the Championship play-offs – but was sure he would get messages through from the club’s hierarchy.

Woodgate’s side are set to battle Brentford in their play-off semi-final first leg at Vitality Stadium tomorrow (6pm), knowing three positive results would take the club back to the Premier League.

Russian businessman Demin made his intentions clear for Cherries in a message to the club’s supporters last July.

He said: “I am committed to taking this club back to the Premier League as soon as possible, to a level I believe we belong at.”

Woodgate has liaised with chief executive Neill Blake and technical director Richard Hughes since he replaced former boss Jason Tindall at the helm in February.

Asked whether he had spoken to the owner or received any good luck messages ahead of the play-offs, Woodgate told the Daily Echo: “No, I haven’t spoken to him as yet but I’m sure I’ll get messages from Neill and Richard from the owner.

“That’s not a problem. That’s how I’ve done it from day one to be honest with you.

“So yeah, that’s absolutely fine with me.”

Victory for Cherries in the two-legged tie over the Bees would set up a play-off final date with either Swansea or Barnsley at Wembley on May 29.